Corporal Hiawatha F. Tuggle was born May 27, 1921, the son of Hugh Tuggle, a non-Indian, and Elizabeth Fisher, a Cherokee by blood who was listed on the Final Dawes Roll.
Hiawatha attended Chilocco Indian School for 4 years and studied auto mechanics. He graduated with the Class of 1940 and participated in Trades Club and the National Guard. He was on the Honor Roll two years.
A quote about him from his yearbook, "Tuggle takes things slow and easy. He says that's how the tortoise won the race with the hare."
Hiawatha was killed in action July 12, 1943 during the invasion of North Africa. He was in the 45th Division. If he had lived, today would have been his 92nd birthday.
Thank you for your service, Hi. You are not forgotten.
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Tribute from the 1946 Chilocco Indian School Yearbook listing those former students who had died in service during WWII.
* Hiawatha Tuggle was my grandpa's first cousin. Their mothers were sisters.
copyright 2013, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB
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It is great men like Cpl. Tuggle that make our country great. Thank you for your sacrifice sir.
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