MCK sends Condolences on Passing of Levi Oakes

05/29/2019

On behalf of the entire community, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke wishes to express its deepest gratitude and sincere condolence to the family and friends of Levi Oakes, the last surviving World War II Mohawk Code Talker.

Mr. Oakes passed away yesterday, surrounded by his family in Akwesasne at the age of 96.

Mr. Oakes served in the United States Army in the Philippines beginning at age 18, earning a Silver Star for his actions after six years as a technician 4th grade with Company B′s 442nd Signal Battalion. He received his training as a Code Talker while stationed in Louisiana, along with 17 other Kanien’kehá:ka from Akwesasne.



In December of 2018, Mr. Oakes was recognized by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and the House of Commons and received a Star Blanket and Beaded Medallion from AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde at a Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa.