Code name Geronimo controversy facts for kids
The code name Geronimo controversy happened after news reports said that the U.S. military operation to find and stop Osama bin Laden used the code name "Geronimo". This name was said to refer to the operation itself, to bin Laden, or to the action of capturing or stopping him.
News outlets first reported that "Geronimo" was bin Laden's code name. However, official sources later said this was not quite right. The main mission was called Operation Neptune Spear. This name refers to the trident symbol used by the United States Navy SEALs. Bin Laden himself had the code name Jackpot. The word Geronimo was used to signal that bin Laden had been captured or stopped. But a former SEAL, Matt Bissonnette, who was part of the mission, wrote in his book No Easy Day that "Geronimo" was indeed bin Laden's code name.
Contents
Who Was Geronimo?
The historical Geronimo was a famous leader of the Chiricahua Apache people. He was known for resisting the U.S. government and avoiding capture for a long time.
Why Was the Name Used?
Some people thought the U.S. military chose "Geronimo" because bin Laden, like the Apache leader, had avoided capture for many years. After bin Laden was stopped, a commander reported, "Geronimo E-KIA." This meant the mission ended with the "Enemy Killed In Action".
Why People Objected to the Name
Many Native Americans were upset by the use of the name Geronimo. They felt it was wrong to link a respected Native American leader to a terrorist.
Native American Leaders Speak Out
- Suzan Shown Harjo, who leads a Native American advocacy group, said it showed how deeply "the Indian as enemy" idea is in America's mind.
- Keith Harper, a lawyer and member of the Cherokee Nation, said using Geronimo's name for bin Laden was a bad idea.
- Leaders of several American Indian tribes asked President Obama to change the code name.
- Jeff Houser, Chairman of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, wrote to President Obama. He said it was wrong to connect the "legendary Apache warrior" to a "mass murderer and cowardly terrorist." He explained that Geronimo bravely faced his enemies in many battles, unlike bin Laden. Houser called Geronimo "one of the greatest symbols of Native American resistance."
Government Response
When asked about the code name, the White House directed questions to the Defense Department. The Defense Department stated that no disrespect was intended. They said code names are usually chosen randomly.
Impact on Children
- Ben Shelly, President of the Navajo Nation, told The Washington Times that the name should be changed. He wanted to make sure children would not see it in history books linked to bin Laden.
- The Onondaga Council of Chiefs said using "Geronimo" as a code name continued negative ideas about Native Americans.
- Loretta Tuell, a Nez Perce member, said that using Native American symbols in inappropriate ways hurts both Native and non-Native children.
- Harlyn Geronimo, Geronimo's great-grandson and a Vietnam War veteran, asked for explanations and apologies.
President Obama's Statement
On May 8, 2011, President Obama was interviewed by 60 Minutes. He said, "There was a point before folks had left... where they said Geronimo has been killed, and Geronimo was the code name for bin Laden." This confirmed that the name was indeed used for bin Laden himself during the mission.
See also
- Stereotypes of indigenous peoples of Canada and the United States
- Geronimo (exclamation)
