Native American Biography:Pascal Cleatus Poolaw Sr

 

Pascal Cleatus Poolaw, Sr., the most decorated Native American soldier in US history

4 Silver Stars

5 Bronze Stars

3 Purple Hearts

He earned a total of 42 medals and citations.

Born on January 29, 1922, in Apache, Oklahoma, Poolaw, a full-blooded Kiowa, served with the United States Army in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Poolaw, his father and two brothers joined the Armed forces in 1942 during World War II. He earned his first Purple Heart when he was wounded in September 1944. While serving with the 8th Infantry Regiment's M Company near Recogne, Belgium, Poolaw's unit was engaging fire with the Germans. He pushed his unit forward under heavy fire and hurled hand grenades at enemy machine guns, causing numerous enemy casualties and as a result of his heroic actions, many of his comrades lives were saved and the company was able to continue the attack and capture strongly defended enemy positions.

Poolaw's military career did not end in Belgium or with Germans. During the Korean War, Poolaw saw combat and was wounded again and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, a second Purple Heart, and two more Silver Stars.

He returned to the U.S. in 1952 and retired from the Army ten years later. This is not where his military career ends.

During the Vietnam War, all four of the Poolaw's sons were in the military. In February 1967, his son, Pascal Jr., was injured by a landmine in Vietnam. This injury resulted in amputation of his right leg below the knee. Poolaw’s youngest son, Lindy, was also drafted. Afraid of what could happen to his sons as the war progressed, Poolaw rejoined the Army at the age of 45. Giving up his rank as a 2nd Lieutenant with the intentions of serving in direct combat, Poolaw hoped to keep his youngest son away from the front lines by taking his place. Regulations prohibited two members of the same family from serving in combat at the same time without their consent. Unfortunately, by the time he arrived on the West Coast, Lindy had left for Vietnam the day before.

Poolaw was deployed on May 31, 1967 as a first sergeant of the 26th Infantry Regiment's C Company. His last Silver Star was for an event that occurred a few months later. On November 7, 1967, Poolaw's unit were part of a search and destroy mission near the village of Loc Ninh. Poolaw and his unit were ambushed by the Viet Cong force with intensive claymore mine, rocket, small arms, and automatic weapons fire. While wounded, he continued moving among his squad making sure everyone was positioned properly while pulling casualties back.

As Poolaw was carrying a wounded soldier to safety, he was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and killed. For his heroic actions Poolaw was awarded a Silver Star and a third Purple Heart posthumously. " He has followed the trail of the great chiefs," his wife Irene said at Poolaw's funeral. His people hold him in honor and highest esteem. He has given his life for the people and the country he loved so much."

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Oldest Living Thing in Kingman

 This mesquite tree on Fifth Street in Kingman is considered to be the oldest living thing in Kingman at over 200 years old.  This means it predates Kingman by about a hundred years.  I don't know how they aged it.  It is now located by lawyer offices across from the fire station.  Some of the branches are supported with braces.

pods

Is this the Doxol Fire Epicenter?

The Doxol fire claimed the lives of eleven volunteer firemen, a worker and a policeman.  It happenned July 5, 1973.  I have read that the Doxol fire took place across from where NAPA is located.  This pyramid structure is across from NAPA and south of the Martin Swanty dealership.  So I was wondering if this marks the location.  Most everything else in the area is vacant; as I have also read was the result of the fire.  When the tank exploded fire rained down over quite an area and many spectators were injured who were watching from across route 66.  There is a no trespassing sign so picture from a distance.

Book Review: Kingman History: 50 Stories of Kingman

Kingman History: 50 Stories of Kingman by Loren B. Wilson, publisher not given, 2007.  I found it at Kingman library.

Loren Wilson was a teacher in Kingman for 40 years, and a long term volunteer at the Mohave County Museum.  As such he tells many stories from Kingman and Mohave County.  These stories include 7000 planes at Kingman Airport at the end of WWII, the original airport in Kingman which extended form Airway and Banks to the current fairgrounds.  A story of two graves found in the Black Mountains which turned out being a Chinese woman and her mother.  The woman was traveling with her new African American husband to Nevada after celebrating her marriage in Cerbat.  They were traveling by wagon and their water barrel leaked.  The horses could not go further so the husband walked out to get help.  He returned too late and the the women had died.

The author tells many biographical sketches from early Kingman pioneers.  He talks of a plane crash on the railroad tracks in the early days of Kingman.  He also tells the story of an Amtrak derailment outside of town and of course the Doxol Fire which killed eleven volunteer firemen, and a few others, and injured many more.  

He has piqued my interest with archeological sites and other historical sites in the area.  This includes Native American items found in several spots, Petroglyphs, and the sites at Ft. Beale.  

He tells of Andy Devine, Edward Beale, the connection of Louis L' Amour to the area, Roy Purcell and many others.  He also tells of stories of several old buildings including the old hospital, the Red School and the Grammar School and Hotel Beale.  He also recounts Route 66.

I recommend this book for those interested in local history.

Book Review: Ghosts of the Arizona Coast

 

Ghosts of the Arizona Coast by Paul R Taylor, Laughlin/Bullhead City Visitor, 1989.  I encountered the book at the Kingman library.

This is the most fascinating book about life on the Colorado River and places close to it.  When I read the title I thought it might be ghost stories and akin to the ocean front property in Arizona song.  But it was much better than that.  It is a history of the towns along the Colorado River.  This includes Kingman, Mineral Park, Chloride and Oatman.  It is mostly about the river communities and the river boats which thrived before the coming of the railroad.  River boating up and own the Colorado was no easy thing, but at one time supplies were delivered to many ports, including past current Hoover Dam.  This meant going through the Back Canyon rapids.  Big ring bolts were placed in the canyon wall, and with these the boats would literally pull themselves through the rapids.  

Many cities grew up along the river, and most are no longer there.  57 different communities have lined the river.  The river marked the division between Arizona and California.  However until 1866 legally, and 1871 in fact, Nevada did not extend this far south and Arizona reached to California.  Yuma was the first town as one travelled up the Colorado from Sea of Cortez.  

I enjoyed the story of how Kingman became the county seat of Mohave County,  There was quite a rialry between Mineral Park and Kingman.  Mineral Park was the fourth county seat following Mohave City, Hardyville and Cerbat.  It was quite the town, based on the mining industry.  When a new railroad town started to grow the editor of the newspaper Miner said it would never last.  However a special election was help and Kingman was approved as the county seat.  Mineral Park was not satisfied and appealed to the state legislature.  When they lost the appeal they were still slow in transferring the county seat.  Finally some citizens from Kingman, went at night to the courthouse in Mineral Park, broke in and took all the county records and transported them to Kingman.  Kingman continued to grow, and even the MIner moved from Mineral Park to Kingman.  

Another important contribution in this book is a listing of all the 57 river towns and a brief history of each.  Several cities are now under Lake Mead, including the two county seats of Pah Ute county, St Thomas and Callville--both Mormon towns along the river.  

The history of the Oatman family is also included, as well as a brief history of Oatman and how the town has survived after the mining rush.  Sara Oatman was kidnapped by Indians, and sold to the Mohave tribe until she was ransomed five years later.  Oatman did not exist at the time but the city was named for her.  

Another chapter of particular note was that of Fort Mohave, which was the least desirable of all army posts because of the excessive heat.  

Native American Biographical Movie: Te Ata

Te Ata is a Native American movie produced by the Chickasaw Tribe and starring Q'orianka Kilcher.  It tells the story of Mary Frances Thompson Fisher of Te Ata.  She was introduced to the stage at college, Oklahoma College for Women through drama instructor Frances Dinsmore Davis.  Here she developed her passion of being a Native American story teller.  Here senior presentation was a Native American monologue.  SHe spent the summer in a traveling company presenting her story.  From there she went to Carnegie Institute in Pittsburg.  She did go to New York and perform on Broadway.  However her true love was her one-woman show in which she told Native American stories.  In New York she met Dr. George Clyde Fisher who became her husband.  Her father is a traditional Native American and for him it is difficult to accept his daughters goals and career, and accept her husband.  

This movie is very well done.  It is interesting how it approaches Native American stereotypes without being over bearing.  It does this by showing a movie cartoon with caricatures of Native Americans and the reaction of Te Ata to seeing this.  It also approaches the prejudice of several people, including a politician.  However it shows how the Chickasaw people refused to be conquered and to lose their culture.  

I highly recommend this movie, and have greatly benefitted from being introduced to the life of Te Ata.  She was an incredible individual who made a difference by presented her story and telling the story of Native American people to others; especially children.  

Book Review: Grand Canyon's North Rim and Beyond: A Guide to the North Rim and the Arizona Strip

 This is a book to take with you when traveling, rather than a read book which I did as I found it at the Kingman Library.   It gives a good description of the history and current status of the North Rim.  This includes Grand canyon Lodge, build to look like the local cliffs.   I talks of the Kaibab trail to the river.  There are also roads to several other points with views of the canyon, Point Royal and Point Imperial.   

I more fascinated with information about the Arizona Strip.  I am fascinated with the old Mormon community at Organ Pipes which is now a Nation Monument on the Kaibab Paiute reservation.  I also look forward to traveling highway 67 from Jacob Lake to the North Rim.  According to the book there is plentiful wildlife here including deer and wild turkey, and a localized squirrel. I like the idea of visiting Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, but it is only accessible via dirt roads.  I want to study this more to make sure we can get there safely in our van.  There are Native American petroglyphs at Nampaweap, as well as canyon views.  There is an old sawmill site where the wood for the St. George Temple was harvested and sent 80 miles over rough roads to the temple.  

This section also includes mention of the three members of the Powell Party who separated and marched out of the canyon to never be heard from again.  Speculation in the book has it they were murdered either by Native Americans (who said they were responsible thinking they had killed a woman in a neighboring band) or by Mormons wary of outsiders.  

Lee's Ferry and Navajo Bridge also appear to be nice spots to visit, which are more tot he east.  The Navajo Bridge shortened the route from north rim to south rim from 600 miles to 200 miles.