Bill Scott

Born in 1933, Bill Scott is a proud Korean War veteran and member of the Chickasaw Nation. Raised in Marlow, Oklahoma, he is the oldest son of Louis and famed aviator Pearl Carter Scott. Scott's mother was an influential figure in his life, from becoming the youngest pilot in the United States with her first solo flight on September 12, 1929, to serving the Chickasaw Nation as a tribal legislator.

In January 1950, 17-year-old Bill Scott forged his father's signature and joined the U.S. Army National Guard during peacetime. Six months later, on July 25, 1951, the North Koreans invaded South Korea and war began. The United States once again prepared to fight for its allies in the Pacific, but as an underage recruit, Scott was given the choice to terminate his enlistment. Despite this option, he chose to fight for his country and remained in the National Guard with the permission of his parents. Assigned to Company G, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, he began his military training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, alongside many of his Native American brothers in arms. By December 1951, he would sail to Korea to fight in America's "Forgotten War."

On June 24, 2010, Bill Scott attended a ceremony at the Pentagon commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. His selfless sacrifice and brave service to our country is a reflection of the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw warrior spirit. Today, he lives in Virginia and is still actively involved in Chickasaw Nation events and activities.