Lex Clarence Porter
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
PORTER, Lex Clarence
Lex Clarence Porter was a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe and lived up in Grand Portage, Minnesota. He was born on September 14th 1920 in Sawyer, Minnesota.
When Lex was 22 years old he enlisted in the US Army the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served in the Army during WWII and was assigned the role of radioman. Radioman was a rank but what he really was, was a 'Code Talker'. Code Talkers transmitted coded messages in 33 different tribal dialects during both WWI and WWII. It kept enemy agents from deciphering battle messages, plans and orders. Native American languages were used because they were unique and distinct and, in most cases, had never been written down. The program was de-classified in 1968, but like many code talkers, Lex Porter never broke the vow of silence he took upon entering the program.
During World War II, Native Americans weren’t yet considered American citizens, Porter's grandson remembered hearing his grandfather talk about why he served knowing he might never receive recognition for his service.
“Someone had to defend freedom,’’ Porter said. “He just wanted to help.’
Lex was honarably discharged on October 10th 1945 and he returned home to Minnesota. He married Helen Rose [Hunter] and they started a family. He died on February 6th 1990 in Cloquet, Minnesota at the age of 69 years old. He is buried at Holy Rosary Cemetery at Grand Portage, Minnesota.
Lex died without ever revealing to his family that he was a code talker during World War II. Lex's grandson said he grew up hearing about code talkers but never knew his grandfather played such a key role. So his family was surprised, and grateful,when the military decided to honor the late Ojibwe member posthumously with a Congressional Gold Medal.
For his service he was awarded:
- the Silver Star, -and-
- the Congressional Gold Medal. (posthumously)
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
Ojibwe code talker gets Medal of Honor posthumously (nativetimes.com)
Family of Ojibwe code talker receives posthumous Medal of Honor - Bring Me The News
