The Desert's Most Famous People and What Makes them Famous.
Arizona was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1912. Although it is a relatively young state (48th) its history is as rich and diverse as its topography. Many famous Americans hail from Arizona or now call this breathtaking desert oasis home. There are many celebrities, writers, and musicians that love the Sonoran Desert. However, it is the war heroes, politicians, civil rights activists, and ordinary people who did extraordinary things that endear us to the Grand Canyon State.
Navajo Code Talkers: World War II, Korean War
First and foremost are the Native Americans. There are many that have earned a place in American history, but none more than the Navajo Code Talkers. Hailing from the Navajo Nation in Northeast Arizona, the Navajo Code Talkers played a pivotal role in winning World War II and are credited for saving countless lives. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II against Japan. Fighting against the axis powers was difficult and made more so by the fact that Japanese intelligence continually intercepted and broke American codes. The U.S. struggled to find a way to relay messages without their intelligence being intercepted. Finally the U.S. military turned to the Navajo Nation for help. More than 400 Code Talkers served in the Marines from 1942 to 1945. Their primary role was to transmit vital battlefield intelligence via radio transmission and Morse code. Since the Navajo language is unwritten, extremely complex, and vast, the Japanese were never able to decipher any of the Navajo codes. It is to their credit that the Marines took Iwo Jima.
Ira B. Hayes: World War II
Ira B. Hayes was born in Sacaton, Arizona on the Gila River Indian Reservation just south of Phoenix. During World War II, Ira left school and enlisted in the Marines in 1942. He became a paratrooper, but the division was later disbanded. He is best known as one of the six flag raisers photographed raising the flag on Iwo Jima. A statue commemorating the brave Marines stands at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. Ira Hayes was born January 12, 1923 and died January 23, 1955. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia, USA Plot: Section 34, Grave 479A.
Cochise: Apache Leader, Apache Wars
Cochise was a leader of the Chiricahua Apache. During the nineteenth century the Apache territories covered present day portions of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. Due to encroachment by pioneers, the Mexican government and later the American government were in constant battles with the Apaches, mainly for their lands. His father was murdered and Cochise was wrongly accused of kidnapping and arrested, but later escaped. During the 1860's and 1870's Cochise and his men were in constant skirmishes with the US military. The US military was forcibly removing the Apaches from their ancestral lands, but Cochise refused to leave Arizona and live on the reservation. As Cochise saw it, the Americans did not honor treaties, violated the rules of war, and did not honor the rules of parley (which they did not) and therefore was just cause for war against the US. Cochise and his men were caught several times and always escaped. Eventually in 1872, US military renegotiated the treaty and relented to Apache conditions. Cochise retired to an Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Geronimo: Chiricahua Apache leader: Apache Wars
Born June 16, 1829 and died Feb. 17, 1909, Geronimo was another famous Apache leader who fought against Mexico and the United States and their expansion into Apache lands. He married at seventeen and had three children. In 1851, 400 Mexican soldiers attacked Geronimo's camp killing his wife, his children, and his mother. Geronimo was sent to Cochise's band for help against the Mexicans. Later, he did remarry and start a new family. Yet like Cochise, Geronimo became famous his daring ways and numerous escapes during 1858 to 1886. He was one of the last major tribal warriors that refused to acknowledge the United States government. He was eventually captured, imprisoned in Florida, and later forced onto an Oklahoma reservation where he eventually died of pneumonia.
Cesar Chavez: Community Organizer, Civil Rights Activist
Cesar Chavez was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927 and died April 23, 1993. He was a community organizer for Community Service Organization that urged Mexican Americans register to vote. However Chavez is most notably remembered for co-founding the United Farm Workers and his activism for the rights of grape pickers and farm workers. He was a civil rights activist that demanded higher wages, safe working conditions, and ethnic equality for all farm workers. He fought for unity and believed that when a community works as one, they can make tremendous change. A Phoenix high school is named in his honor.
Barry Goldwater: US Senator
Born January 1, 1909 and died May 29, 1998, Barry Goldwater was a five term Senator. He ran for the Presidential election in 1964 and lost. He was known as "Mr. Conservative" and fought against the New Deal coalition, labor unions, and the idea of a welfare state. His conservative views came into conflicted with the Republican Party as Christian Right became more influential during the mid 1980's. He was a strong leader in the Senate and iconic figure in Arizona. In 1986, a Phoenix high school was named in his honor.
Carl Hayden: US Senator
Born on Oct. 2, 1877 and died Jan. 25, 1972, Carl Hayden was the first US Senator to serve seven terms. He was known as the "Silent Senator", for he rarely spoke on the Senate floor. Prior to his years as a Senator, Carl Hayden was Arizona's first Representative to serve eight terms. He backed legislation that affected the Western US in areas of mining, public lands, and reclamation. He was instrumental in the development of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) that brings water from the Colorado River to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. He also has a high school named in his honor.
Sandra Day O'Connor: first female Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor was born March 26, 1930 outside of Arizona. However, she resided in Arizona from 1958 to 1981. She was an influential leader in Arizona as an Arizona State Senator, Judge, and Assistant Attorney General. Justice O'Connor was appointed to the US Supreme Court by President Ronald Regan in 1981 where she served until her retirement in 2005. She was considered to have moderate political views and approached Supreme Court cases on a case-by-case basis. She too has been honored in Phoenix with a high school named after her.
Frank Luke, Jr.: World War I fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient
Born May 19, 1897 and died Sept. 29, 1918, Frank Luke ranked second in US Air pilots in the number of aerial victories. He was the fifth child of German immigrants born in Phoenix, Arizona. He worked in the copper mines and was a bare knuckle boxer. Frank Luke, Jr. enlisted in the US Signal Corps upon the US entry into World War I, where he was commissioned a Second Lt. During the war, he was part of the 27th Aero Squadron stationed in France and in charge of taking out German observation balloons. Over a seventeen day period, Luke was credited with shooting down 14 balloons and 4 planes. He was known for his aggressive flying and risk taking maneuvers. He was wounded by anti-air craft and landed in German territory, where he refused to surrender and fought to the end. Frank Luke Jr., was killed and awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery posthumously. Luke Air Force base, an F-16 fighter jet training base, is named in his honor.