Because the variety of remaining World Struggle II veterans continues to dwindle, Gilbert “Choc” Charleston, one of many final Native American WWII troopers and the ultimate surviving member of his unit, died on Thanksgiving night time at age 101.
The information of Charleston’s passing was confirmed by the Choctaw Nation, of which the veteran was a member. Charleston was one in every of solely about 45,000 U.S. veterans remaining from World Struggle II, primarily based on numbers from the Nationwide WWII Museum. In maybe his last interview, Charleston advised his charming story to CBS News Texas in early November. He would have turned 102 on Dec. 24.
Regardless of passing the century mark in 2023, Charleston’s impeccable recall of occasions from a long time in the past remained intact.
How Did He Get His Nickname?
The moniker “Choc” was bestowed upon Charleston as an toddler, and it caught for the following 101-plus years.
After he was born in 1923, a customer got here to his home and laughed when he noticed child Charleston snoozing in a dresser drawer.
“He mentioned, ‘Effectively, appears like we obtained one other ‘Choc,’” Charleston advised CBS News Texas.
However Charleston grew up happy with his Choctaw heritage, and the nickname served him effectively when he entered the Army. He turned a tank operator serving with the 739th Tank Battalion.
Dwelling circumstances weren’t fairly.
“We slept within the tank. We not often obtained sizzling meals,” Charleston mentioned. “I want to not be shot at, but it surely did not work out that means.”
On the time, Charleston most likely couldn’t fathom that the tank could be his house for the following three years. His unit’s missions despatched him throughout Central Europe, finally inserting him in one of many battle’s most harrowing battles.
“I spent three years as a tank driver and fought from France, Luxembourg, Belgium, all of Germany again to the Battle of the Bulge,” he mentioned.
Battle of the Bulge Recollections
Not solely did Charleston survive the bloody Battle of the Bulge when so many others perished, the bitterly chilly winter of 1944-45 preventing Nazis within the Ardennes Forest proved unforgiving.
“Many males misplaced their toes that have been within the infantry due to the snow and the chilly,” Charleston mentioned. “We have been lucky sufficient within the tank to not lose our toes, but it surely was nonetheless 20 levels beneath.”
To mark the eightieth anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, Charleston returned to Belgium in 2024 and reunited with a number of the troopers he served with. The veteran referred to as it a good way to bookend his time within the navy.
“They flew me to Bastogne, and we met the king and queen of Belgium,” Charleston mentioned.
A Proud Nation Serves
Native Individuals, particularly the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, have a protracted, distinguished historical past of serving within the U.S. navy, based on Choctaw Assistant Chief Jack Austin.
“They served earlier than they have been thought-about a U.S. citizen,” Austin mentioned. “They have been proud to be preventing for one thing, and we’ve all the time stood by our nation.”
Throughout World Struggle II, about 25,000 Native Individuals joined the navy. From that quantity, greater than 21,000 went into the Army. Austin believes each Indigenous soldier proved useful to the battle effort.
“It’s a means of claiming, ‘Yakoke.’ Thanks to all veterans for his or her service as a result of in some unspecified time in the future in time of their life, they signal that test that was payable with their life,” Austin mentioned.
For Charleston, it was important to honor those that served, particularly troopers who fought alongside him greater than 80 years in the past.
“Glad Veterans Day immediately and particularly to those who have been within the Pacific and European battles,” he mentioned in an interview earlier than Veterans Day.
The veteran was keen to share his story to be preserved for future generations who may notice the sacrifice of World Struggle II veterans.
What was Charleston’s secret to a protracted, vibrant life? He targeted on caring for his physique by staying lively, hitting the golf course usually. He additionally believed his longevity was on account of “by no means smoking or consuming.”
Whereas the Choctaw Nation will grieve the lack of one in every of its most lovable members, Austin thinks Charleston’s legacy will stay on, inspiring future Choctaws.
Story Continues
