Before the Civil War, U.S. citizenship was often limited to American Indians of one-half or less Indian ancestry. As a tribute to the patriotism and courage of American Indians who served in World War I, Congress passed this act to offer citizenship to all American Indian veterans of World War I.
Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
H.R. 5007, An Act granting citizenship to certain Indians, September 27, 1919
Serving the Nation: American Indians
Though they were not granted the rights of U.S. citizenship, approximately 10,000 American Indian men volunteered to serve in World War I. In recognition of their wartime service, Congress passed the Citizenship Act of 1919, conferring citizenship upon American Indian World War I veterans. In 1924 Congress approved legislation to grant citizenship to all American Indians. More than 40,000 American Indians served in World War II.
Be it enacted, . . . That every American Indian, who served in the Military or Naval Establishments of the United States during the war . . . shall . . . be granted full citizenship with all the privileges pertaining thereto.
H.R. 5007, An Act Granting Citizenship to Certain Indians, September 27, 1919
Before the Civil War, U.S. citizenship was often limited to American Indians of one-half or less Indian ancestry. As a tribute to the patriotism and courage of American Indians who served in World War I, Congress passed this act to offer citizenship to all American Indian veterans of World War I.
Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
