Tobias W. Frazier facts for kids

Tobias William Frazier, Sr. (1892–1975) was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation. He was one of the famous fourteen Choctaw Code Talkers during World War I. These brave soldiers were the first to use Native American languages as a secret code in war. Their amazing work in World War I paved the way for other Native American tribes to do the same in World War II.

Besides his important role as a Code Talker, Tobias Frazier also showed how the Choctaw people successfully adapted to big changes. This happened when Oklahoma became a state, and their own self-governing nation changed.

The Frazier Family's History

After a difficult journey known as the Trail of Tears, the Frazier family arrived in the Indian Territory. They quickly became important leaders in the Choctaw government and community. Tobias Frazier's grandfather, Robert, was even elected a county judge in Cedar County, Choctaw Nation.

The Choctaw Nation's legal system was well-organized. A judge, like Robert Frazier, was not just a court official. He was also a respected and influential leader in the community.

Tobias Frazier's father, Reason J. Frazier, was a "county ranger." This meant he was a member of the "Lighthorse," who were like police officers. Their job was to keep the peace in Cedar County.

Starting in 1832, Choctaw leaders carefully mapped out their new nation. They created an organized system of districts and counties. These borders often followed natural landmarks. A well-known waterway called Frazier Creek formed the boundary between Towson County and Cedar County. The creek was named after the Frazier family. Today, Frazier Creek is in northeastern Choctaw County and southeastern Pushmataha County in Oklahoma.

The Frazier family always paid close attention to Choctaw politics and government. Even 30 years after the Choctaw government changed, one family member could still describe its laws in great detail. In 1937, he proudly said, "I think that we had the best laws in the country, and it would be better if we had the same laws now in the state."

Tobias Frazier's Life

Tobias Frazier was born in 1892 in Sulphur Springs, Indian Territory. This town was the main city of Cedar County in the Choctaw Nation. Later, in 1907, the Indian Territory joined with Oklahoma Territory to form the state of Oklahoma.

Frazier went to Armstrong Academy, a school for Choctaw boys run by the Choctaw Nation. While there, he played on the football team. Later in his life, a reporter asked him what position he played. He laughed and replied, "Anything but quarterback!"

When World War I began, Frazier joined the U.S. Army. He was sent to the 36th Division in France. He served as a sergeant in the division's intelligence unit, which gathered important information.

While fighting in France, the 36th Division discovered a big problem. German troops were listening in on their communications. Even worse, the Germans could figure out the secret military codes the Americans were using. This allowed the Germans to stop American movements and plans.

Several Choctaw soldiers were part of the 142nd Regiment in the 36th Division. With the help of a commanding officer, they suggested using the Choctaw language as a military code.

The Choctaw Code Talkers' Secret Language

Tobias Frazier and seven other Choctaw soldiers in the 142nd Regiment noticed the American army's communication problem. They came up with a clever idea. They tested and then used an innovative plan: speaking in Choctaw over a field telephone.

Choctaw speakers were placed in each company of soldiers. Their job was to send information using their language as a code. Runners were also used to carry messages when needed. Six more Choctaw soldiers from other units joined them, making a total of fourteen Code Talkers.

The Germans heard the Choctaw language for the first time on October 26, 1918. This happened during a tricky American withdrawal of two companies from Chufilly to Chardeny. The movement was a success!

The American commanding officer noted, "The enemy's complete surprise is evidence that he could not decipher the messages." A captured German officer later confirmed that they were "completely confused by the Indian language and gained no benefit whatsoever" from their wiretaps.

There was no Choctaw word or phrase for "machine gun." So, Frazier and his Choctaw friends came up with clever solutions. They used Choctaw words for "big gun" to describe "artillery" and "little gun shoot fast" for "machine gun". Their commanding officer said, "The results were very gratifying."

One of Frazier's fellow Code Talkers was Joseph Oklahombi. His last name means "man killer" in the Choctaw language. He is Oklahoma's most decorated war veteran, and his medals are displayed at the Oklahoma Historical Society.

Years later, Frazier, Oklahombi, and their fellow Choctaw Code Talkers were honored. In 1986, the Choctaw Nation gave each of them the Choctaw Medal of Honor. France also honored them in 1989. They received the ""Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Merite" (Knight of the National Order of Merit), which is France's highest award. Frazier also received the Purple Heart medal.

After the War

The term "Code Talker" became popular during or after World War II. It didn't exist during World War I. Tobias Frazier never called himself a "Code Talker." In later years, he described his wartime activities to his family as "talking on the radio" or using a field telephone.

Frazier was very proud of the Choctaw language, his native tongue. He spoke it at home as his first language. He was proud of how it helped break the Germans' Hindenberg Line during the war.

However, he also sadly noted that the Choctaw language might not have a future. In 1966, he told a reporter that the language would be "dead" soon. After that, it would only exist in books.

He said with surprising foresight, "My niece, for instance, who attends Rattan school, will have no need for the old tribal language. Why should she learn it?"

Tobias Frazier passed away in 1975. He is buried in the cemetery at Rattan, Oklahoma. Bill Frazier Road in Rattan is named after Frazier's son, who also served in the U.S. military.

The Frazier Family's Lasting Impact

The special contributions made by the Frazier family continue even today. Tobias Frazier's granddaughter, Beth Frazier Lawless, is a school teacher in Rattan, Oklahoma. In 1999, she started a student research project that had a global impact.

Ms. Lawless's students investigated plane crashes of Royal Air Force pilots during World War II in the Kiamichi Mountains. They built the AT6 Monument to honor these pilots. Over 1,000 people attended the dedication ceremony, many traveling from Great Britain. The BBC, American TV networks, and newspapers covered the event live. Military officials from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, who came from their countries' embassies in Washington, D.C., also attended, along with Britain's vice consul to the United States.