Completed Choctaw code talker 1918

[TWOMOONS]

Twenty five years before the Navajo and Commanche Code talkers of WW II, the Choctaw did it in WW I. These men joined the army and were not even citizens at this time, and helped hasten the end of the war by baffling the excellent German code breakers, who knew American troop movements before this they occured most of the time. This was implimented in 1918.
These little known men and their invaluable service were hardly recognized, except by local citizens in Oklahoma. The French finally awarded them medals in the 1980's; the US had planned to, but never got around to it, sadly. Recognition to this day remains almost nil.
The figure is Albert Billy (1885-1975), on the occasion of Veterans Day, Onandarko, OK, 1974.
Sculpey and A+B epoxy. About 1/9 scale.
Comments welcome.
Having my usual trouble with everything PC, this is in the wrong forum...should be in sculpting.

 

[mil-mart]

Hi Phil, excellent sculpting of the old guy, a 90 year old face isn't the easiest thing to pull off but you've managed it. Great painting and an interesting subject, it's a shame that a foreign country awarded their efforts first before his own goverment. Just as a matter of interest have you any idea at what age he actually lived to.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Ken

 

[Guy]

Excellent work Phil. I like your subject too as this is very prominent topic here in Oklahoma.

 

[gordy]

Phil, really nice facial study and great subject

The twinkle in the eyes are a perfect touch

(Moved the thread for you)

 

[TWOMOONS]

Hi Phil, excellent sculpting of the old guy, a 90 year old face isn't the easiest thing to pull off but you've managed it. Great painting and an interesting subject, it's a shame that a foreign country awarded their efforts first before his own goverment. Just as a matter of interest have you any idea at what age he actually lived to.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Ken

Thanks Ken,,,all native records at this time in history are sketchy at best...but just the dates look like he lived to 90, or at least 89. He would have been at least 89 on VD, 1974.
What is interesting while sculpting a really old fellow, is whether they wore false teeth or not. Albert didn't. The lips collapse inward, and not evenly on both sides.

 

[TWOMOONS]

Gordy, thanks for moving this...I'm really pitiful with this thing.

 

[Meehan34]

excellent face sir.