Corporal Charles Chibitty was born near Medicine Park, Oklahoma, on November 20, 1921. After attending Haskell Indian School at Lawrence, Kansas, he enlisted in the US Army in January 1941.
Along with 16 other Comanche Indians, Corporal Chibitty was part of the Army's 4th Signal Company, also known as the Code Talkers. Like the Choctaws of World War I, and the Navajos in the Pacific Theater, the Comanche Code Talkers used their native languages to prevent the enemies of the European Theater from interpreting messages of the allied troops during World War II. The unit was instrumental in the success of the Normandy invasion.
In 1989, the French Government honored the Comanche Code Talkers, including Chibitty, by presenting them the "Chevalier of the National Order of Merit." In 1992, former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney presented Chibitty a certificate of appreciation for his service to the country. Chibitty has also received a special proclamation from the Governor of Oklahoma who honored him for his contribution both to Oklahoma and the United States. In a ceremony on November 30, 1999, at the Pentagon, Corporal Chibitty was recognized as the last surviving member of this elite group. He was presented with the Knowlton Award in recognition of his significant contribution to military intelligence efforts. The Knowlton Award was established in 1995 by the Military Intelligence Corps Association.
In 1999, he was inducted into Who's Who among Oklahoma Military Men and Women, an event sponsored by the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.
Nationally known for his Indian championship dancing, Corporal Chibitty currently resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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