Cherokee in Swain County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Cherokee Veterans Park
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
1. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
of the eastern band of Cherokee Indians
who served honorably in the Armed Forces
of this Great Nation, and especially to
those who died in the effort and to
Charles George, the only member of the
Eastern Band of Cherokee to be awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Military. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients series list.
Location. 35° 28.958′ N, 83° 19.06′ W. Marker is in Cherokee, North Carolina, in Swain County. It is at the intersection of Route 441 and Drama Road on Route 441. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cherokee NC 28719, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Mountains and specifically in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Long Hair Clan (within shouting distance of this marker); Nimrod Jarrett Smith (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Clan (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Trail of Tears (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sequoyah (approx. 0.2 miles away); Deer Clan (approx. 0.2 miles away); Museum of the Cherokee Indian (approx. 0.2 miles away); Paint Clan (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cherokee.
this page online
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 3, 1999
2. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
Charles George is buried in Yellow Hll Church Cemetery, Cherokee NC. The Grave GPS Coordinates are:35.4857N 83.3110W--
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION *GEORGE, CHARLES-KILLED IN ACTION
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Songnae-dong, Korea, 30 November 1952. Entered service at: Whittier, N.C. Born: 23 August 1932, Cherokee, N.C. G.O. NO.: 19, 18 March 1954. Citation: Pfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of 30 November 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was subjected to intense mortar and machine gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and 2 comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to 1 comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The 2 soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George's indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.
Photographed by Don Morfe, December 3, 1999
3. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
The old style VA marker. This marker does not indicate a Korean War Medal of Honor Recipient.
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 18, 2008
4. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
5. Cherokee Veterans Park
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
6. Seal of the Cherokee Nation
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 18, 2008
7. Marine Corps
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
8. Air Forge
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
9. Army
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
10. Navy
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
11. Merchant Marine
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
12. Coast Guard
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
13. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
14. Cherokee Veterans Park Marker
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 17, 2008
15. Patriot Bear
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, October 19, 2008
16. Patriot Bear
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,306 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 24, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on January 10, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. submitted on October 24, 2008, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
