Ben Carterby, Choctaw Code Talker

Code Talker Ben Carterby served in the 141st Infantry, along with his buddy Joseph Oklahombi. Born December 11, 1893 in Bethal (near Battiest). He enlisted in the Army in Idabel, the county seat. After basic training, he was sent to France. Ben was assigned at Company Headquarters. First Class Mitchell Bobb used the first field phone to deliver the first Choctaw code message to Ben Carterby, who then transposed it back into English for the Battalion Commander.

In a rare interview (Oklahoma Pioneer days, 1937) He stated: "I served in the World War, went to France with the other boys over there, saw a new country and came back alive." He died February 6, 1953. He is buried at Nashoba Indian Cemetery.

Great Grandson Floyd Alexander, a former Marine, said in an interview "I wasn't a code talker; but like my grandfather I wanted to do what my country asked of me. " Alexander didn't think it strange that Carterby's involvement was kept secret. "It's not the Choctaw way to brag or boast about your accomplishments. When I returned from Vietnam, I didn't want to talk about what went on over there. I just wanted to pick up where I'd left off and live my life."