Ernest Childers was the first, and thus far the only Muscogee veteran to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Childers’ heroic actions came as a young soldier in World War II. Ernest Childers was born 1 February, 1918 in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He grew up on a farm that was part of his father’s original Creek allotment. Childers grew up in a Christian home, attending church at Springtown Indian Church about ten miles north of Coweta. In high school, he attended Chilocco Indian School. Childers, as well as other Indian students, sought ways to better themselves financially and saw joining the Oklahoma National Guard as that opportunity. The Indian boys at Chilocco had their own group, Company C, or Charlie Company, 180th Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. The, “Fighting Thunderbirds”, was the division’s nickname. These Indian boys would become a part of a unique fighting group. Upon the liberation of Sicily in WW II, General George S. Patton would pay them the ultimate honor. “Born at sea, baptized in blood, your fame will never die. You are one of the best, if not the best division in the history of American arms.” For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action, Second Lieutenant Ernest Childers was awarded the Medal of Honor on 8 April 1944.