2025 – MILITARY

Dwight W. Birdwell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, was born in Amarillo, Texas and grew up in the Cherokee Indian community of Bell in Adair County, Oklahoma. He attended Bell Grade School, graduating from Stilwell High School in 1966. He entered the Army in May 1966, serving 10 months in Korea and 16 months in Vietnam. Birdwell was awarded two Silver Stars for valor in combat, a Bronze Star for meritorious service, two Purple Hearts for injuries he sustained while serving, and a Good Conduct Medal. After returning home in 1968, he attended Northeastern State University and in 1976 graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law receiving academic distinction from both institutions. Birdwell served on the Judicial Appeals Tribunal (Supreme Court) of the Cherokee Nation from 1987 to 1999. In 2022, one of his Silver Stars was upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War in 1968 during the Tet Offensive attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Birdwell now serves as a Cherokee Nation Gaming Commissioner and is a practicing attorney with an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell. He has additionally been honored by the Oklahoma Bar Association and Board of Trial Advocates.