Nine Native American members of Company B 163rd Infantry, a Montana National Guard regiment composed primarily of Sioux Indians, stand for inspection at Camp Murray in December of 1940. This unit reformed in 1922, the original Company B had also been comprised of Native Americans and served in World War I. Partially because of the outstanding volunteer effort of Native Americans during World War I, in 1924 Congress granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans. One result of this action was that native men between the age of 21 and 35 became eligible for the draft under the Selective Training and Service Act of September 16, 1940. However, most Native Americans served on a volunteer basis. More than 44,000 of them, out of a total population of less than 350,000, served with distinction between 1941 and 1945. (T. Times 12/11/1940, pg. 1)

Indians of North America--Sioux tribe; Montana National Guard, 163rd Infantry, Company B--Camp Murray; Ethnic groups--Indians of North America;

A diminutive drill sergeant adjusts the helmet chin strap on one of the soldiers from Company B, 163rd Infantry during inspection. Company B was part of the Montana National Guard and was composed almost exclusively of Sioux Indians from the Fort Peck reservation. They were inducted into federal service in September of 1940 and were based out of Fort Lewis. After Pearl Harbor, they were among the first troops sent to the Pacific, where they served bravely for the duration of World War II. TPL-1955 (T. Times 12/11/1940, pg. 1)

Indians of North America--Sioux tribe; Montana National Guard, 163rd Infantry, Company B--Camp Murray; Ethnic groups--Indians of North America;

Image title: Suqitlaa. The North American Indian, v.11, p. 46.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Flathead female type. The North American Indian, V. 7, p. 62.

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Sepulture in a post at Yan. The North American Indian, v. 11, p.128.

Indians of North America--Haida--1910-1920; Death and burial--Indians of North America;

Image title: Planning a raid. The North American Indian, suppl. 3, plate 98.

Indians of North America--Ogalala Sioux--1900-1920; Groups--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Reenactments;

Image title: An Assiniboin camp. The North American Indian, suppl. 3, plate 107.

Indians of North America--Assiniboin--1900-1920; Structures--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Dwellings;