Commemorative Native American Code Talkers Medal

National Museum of Natural History

E435526-0

Commerative Native American Code Talkers Medal, minted by the US mint and given to the families of code talkers. On the obverse is a kneeling soldier with the words "Tlingit Warriors Code Talkers" and on the reverse an image of a killer whale with the words "Killer Whale Clan" "World War II" and "Act of Congress 2008".This medal was the only commemorative coin minted to honor the Tlingit code talkers. It displays a hat that was repatriated to the Dakl'aweidi clan by the NMNH (the hat was formerly NMNH catalog number E230063). The hat and related replicas and images of it have become a symbol of the relationship of the clan with the Smithsonian, as well as a symbol of the clan itself. Although the clan has other killer whale hats of other forms, this form was chosen to represent them on this important medal. Historically, the medal honors the Tlingit code talkers, including Mark Jacobs Jr., and their service to the United States in WWII.


  • Type of Item medallion
  • Culture Tlingit

  • Received from Harold Jacobs

  • Made in Juneau
  • Collected in Juneau

  • Acquisition Date on April 3, 2018

  • Accession Number 2078919