Miles Arthur Yellow Thunder (1921 - 1957)

Born 24 Nov 1921 in Arpin, Wood, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Died 27 Mar 1957 at age 35 in Wisconsin, United States

Miles was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Born on 24 Nov 1921, he was the son of Albert Yellow Thunder, Sr..

Physical Description

On 14 Feb 1942, he is described on his draft card as being 5' 6", 140 lbs. with a dark complexion, black hair, and brown eyes.

Boyhood

Captain Eddie Jahn was a noted tour guide for the Lower Dells back in the 1950s. When he was a boy, he spent most of his time playing with Hočąk children, and in particular with Miles Yellow Thunder, the son of Chief Yellow Thunder, the grandson of the famous Wakąjaziga, Yellow Thunder(bird) (d. 1874). When they were a bit older, Miles' brother Albert had an emergency and needed some money to cover his costs, so Eddie, by every means he could think of, raised the cash. Miles was very grateful. One day, Miles was swimming in the Dells between Romance Rock and High Rock when he sustained a cramp in his leg and suddenly found himself drowning. Eddie swam out and saved Miles' life, a fact that he never mentioned to his own family. Sometime later, the two of them were cleaning fish when Miles cut his left hand. Eddie was going to make a tourniquet, when the idea struck Miles that they should be "blood brothers." He cut Eddie's left hand, and they clasped their hands so that the blood nearest their hearts would blend together.

When this was made known to the elder Yellow Thunder, the matter was treated with great seriousness, since being a hičakóro was more than what whites understood by "friend," and even more than being a kikínųp (brother).

"Tradition demanded that the recipient of the Indian kee-kee-noop [kikínųp], which brought the white boy much closer to the Indian than his own brothers, must visit the clan's lodge and partake of a feast in his honor culminating the sacred ritual. Gifts are exchanged and a name is bestowed upon the blood brother in a solemn ceremony. The incident bore a triple significance as the Indians hold the youngest son in highest reverence; the blood letting and mixing was done by a member of the Thunder Clan, the clan of chiefs; it was the first time in the history of the clan that a white man was so honored."

The rite gave formal recognition to the pact, and culminated in giving Eddie a Thunderbird Clan name, "Mighty Thunder."

Education

In 1930, he and his brother Albert were students at the Tomah Indian School, La Grange Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin. (1930 census)

Military Service

Miles served in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a Motor Machinist's Mate First Class from 19 Aug 1942 to 25 Oct 1945. His service number was 611-99-81.

Residence

In 1937 the family was living at the Tomah Indian School Agency in Tomah, Wisconsin. (1937 census)

On 14 Feb 1942, his draft card gives his residence as having been 4021 N. Lockwood Ave., Chicago, Illinois.

Death

He died on 27 Mar 1957, age 35. He is buried on Plot 43–06 in Spring Grove Cemetery, Wisconsin Dells, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA. (Find a Grave, Internment.net)

Sources

• Captain Don Saunders, Driftwood and Debris: Riverside Tales of the Dells of Old Wisconsin by the River Guides, 2d ed. (Wisconsin Dells: Wisconsin Dells Events, 1959) 52.
• 1930 Federal census; Roll: M595_573; Page: 95; Line: 1; Agency: Tomah Indian School. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1937 Indian census; Roll: M595_573; Page: 95; Line: 1; Agency: Tomah Indian School. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• The National Archives in St. Louis, Missouri; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Illinois, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 1816. Serial #1761, Order #10714.
• Applications for Headstones for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1941. Microfilm publication M1916, 134 rolls. ARC ID: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, Record Group 92. National Archives at Washington, D.C.Applications for Headstones, compiled 01/01/1925 - 06/30/1970, documenting the period ca. 1776 - 1970 ARC: 596118. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774–1985, Record Group 92. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Request of 1957; Request of 1963.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 01 September 2020), memorial page for Miles Arthur Thunder (24 Nov 1921–27 Mar 1957), Find a Grave Memorial no. 140631916, citing Spring Grove Cemetery, Wisconsin Dells, Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by El Memorializer (contributor 47029561).
• Internment.net > United States > Wisconsin > Columbia County > Spring Grove Cemetery > Surnames S-T, sub nom. "Thunder, Miles."