Drawing Fire: A Pawnee, Artist, and Thunderbird in World War II

Echohawk (19222–006), a Pawnee, served in the B Company of the 179th Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. The highly decorated division, known as the Thunderbirds, included more than 1,000 Native Americans from Oklahoma who were thrust into some of the bloodiest combat of World War II in Europe, including the battles of Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio during the Italian Campaign. For his service, Echohawk received numerous awards, most notably a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters. The U.S. Congress posthumously honored him with a Congressional Gold Medal. In this autobiography, coauthored by Ellenbarger (founder & director, Brummett Echohawk Project) and edited by historian Riley, Echohawk movingly narrates his experiences and those of his fellow Native soldiers, including details that contextualize their service. A gifted artist, Echohawk drew poignant sketches over the course of the war, which are interspersed throughout this book.