Calvin Atchavit

Calvin Atchavit’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Calvin Atchavit (ASN: 2806696), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, A.E.F., near Fey-en-Haye, France, 12 September 1918. During the attack of his company, though he had been severely wounded in his left arm, Private Atchavit shot and killed one of the enemy and captured another.

Belgian Croix de Guerre

Purple Heart

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 20 June 1893, Cotton County, OK, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: Native American
  • Death: 9 October 1943 Walters, OK, United States
  • Branch: Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [A]
  • Infantry Regiment: 357th
  • Division: 90th
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Calvin Atchavit was born on 20 June 1893 in Cotton County, Oklahoma to Sam Bass Atchavit (1860-1933) and Quermah (maiden name unknown, 1863-?); the elder of two children, Robert (1898-1977). Details of Atchavit’s early life are unknown; his parents, brother, and himself were all listed as members of the Comanche Nation.

Before he left for service overseas, Atchavit married Sarah Passah (1895-?).

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Atchavit entered the U.S. Army service on 25 April 1918; Private Atchavit and Company A, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division departed the United States aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Antrim in June. Private Atchavit received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on 12 September, near Fay-en-Haye, France;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Calvin Atchavit (ASN: 2806696), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company A, 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, A.E.F., near Fey-en-Haye, France, 12 September 1918. During the attack of his company, though he had been severely wounded in his left arm, Private Atchavit shot and killed one of the enemy and captured another.”

Private Atchavit also received the Purple Heart, citation unknown; his service with the Comanche Code Talkers is the current understanding of his receival of the Belgian Croix de Guerre;

“Calvin Atchavit, a Choctaw Indian, wears a Belgian war cross, with which he was decorated by direction of King Albert. The Cross was awarded in recognition of his service in carrying on the communications over the telephone wires in the Choctaw tongue when it was known the Huns were ‘listening in’. The boys say the Germans are still trying to figure out the lingo Calvin used.”

Private Atchavit accepted the Distinguished Service Cross from Colonel Reuben Smith at the Army Recruiting Station, Walters, Oklahoma in October of 1919;

“Lieutenant Harry Gerhart began to talk to Atchavit of re-enlisting. The lieutenant expatiated upon the joys of a martial career at the top of his ability and enthusiasm, and when the ex-soldier seemed to have reached the ‘almost persuaded’ stage he paused for breath. ‘I like the Army life very much’ the Indian smiled, ‘and I’d like to enlist, but I’m married.’”

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Atchavit and his wife lived on the Kiowa Comanche Apache-Fort Sill Apache Reservation between 1920 and 1935. Into the 1940s, the couple lived in Texas, Cotton County, Oklahoma as farmers; Atchavit died on 9 October 1943. He is buried at Highland Cemetery/Yellow Mission Cemetery, Lawton, Oklahoma.

Atchavit’s nephew, Robert Atchavit, has spoken about his uncle’s service since the World War I Centennial (2014-2018);

“I remember going to visit Uncle Calvin, we would go on hikes on West Cache Creek. I don’t remember too much, I was about 6 or 7. He passed away when I was 10 or 12. Uncle Calvin was partial to me because I was the only boy in the family. The only thing I remembered was he walked with a walking stick, and his wound was in his hip.’

Robert would later discover that his uncle sustained that wound while laying land wire and cutting enemy communication and clipping barbed wire in no mans land. He got separated from his group, got into a skirmish, was wounded and returned several days later with a prisoner.

…Robert’s brother in laws included WWII Comanche Code Talkers Private Edward Albert Nahquaddy, Jr. and Private Elgin Red Oak, Jr.”