Native American Women Patriots in the Second World War
Native Americans have served for the same reasons as anyone else. Patriotism, employment, educational opportunities or adventure. During times of war, many males were drafted. Some courageous and remarkable females volunteered.
In this next several weeks we will honor just a few of the more than 800 Native American women in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Navy’s WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), and the Women Marine Corps Reserve.
To start off we will recognize a very special woman who was a member of the Women’s Army Air corps (WAAC) – Winifred “Freddie” Dudley.
Winifred Imogene ‘Freddie’ Whelchel Dudley (Cherokee, 1922-2023) WWII Veteran
Winifred “Freddie” Dudley was born on July 11, 1922, to Earl and Mabel Whelchel in Westville, Oklahoma. She attended a one-room grade school and graduated From Westville High School in 1940.
She grew up during the Great Depression and was dismayed by the attack on Pearl Harbor that brought the US into WWII. At only 19 years of age, she enlisted in the Women’s Army Air Corps (WAAC) and served as part of the Air Transport Command. This group transported troops and blood plasma to various bases throughout the US. She became one of the first women to serve in the US military active service.
This amazingly enthusiastic and talented woman helped out in unusual ways. Because she was small of stature she could climb behind the instrument panels of the B-24 bombers to work on the machinery as an electrical technician.
After the war ended she married Jay Floyd Dudley who was also from Westville and also a WWII Army Air Corps veteran. The Dudley’s made their home in Bunch, Oklahoma. Jay became a principal and teacher at Cave Springs School. Winifred stayed home for seventeen years and raised four children. Unsurprisingly, this indefatigable woman did whatever volunteer work she could find at the school. She also worked at Bunch Baptist Church helping to meet the needs of many people.
Winifred and Jay later lived and worked in Nickerson, Kansas, Bentonville, Arkansas, Oilton, Oklahoma and eventually Tulsa where they retired. No matter where she lived, Winifred always found ways to serve others. Winifred and Jay had been married for 70 years when he passed away in 2016. Their children, Dayne, Jayne, Wayne, and Kelly also provided them with 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
One of the many things that Winifred is remembered for is her help in founding the Honor Flight Program in Tulsa. The Honor Flight Program raises money to take veterans to visit memorials and monuments made in their honor.
In July of 2022 friends and family gave Winifred a surprise 100-year-old Birthday party.
I found a great clip from a local news service. Please put up with the commercial, but you will be really impressed with this centenarian as she clearly gives thanks to God for her life.
https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/surprise-100th-birthday-held-for-oklahoma-wwii-veteran
Winifred was given the Cherokee Tribe’s Medal of Patriotism on August 15, 2022, honoring her as a Cherokee Warrior. She was acknowledged as one of the groundbreaking women in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (name changed later to Women’s Army Corp).
This humble woman responded by saying, “My great-grandmother came over on the Trail of Tears. I’m just thankful to be part of the Cherokee Nation. We serve a great God. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He’s going to take care of me. I don’t care if I am 100 years old.”
Winifred is a shining example of a woman of faith and courage.
Next time, we will look at the stories of other brave Native American women who served in WWII.
