WASHINGTON �?Master Sgt. Woodrow Wilson Keeble is the  first full-blooded Sioux Indian to receive the Medal of Honor, a point of pride for both his tribe and the larger Native American community.

“The history of [Native American military service] is well known to our younger generation, but probably not in mainstream America,�?said Robert Holden, deputy director of the National Congress of American Indians.

“But they’ve continued a long line of warrior tradition. It’s their duty.�?/P>

Keeble was born on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation, home to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux �?on the North Dakota-South Dakota border �?and spent nearly all of his pre-Army life on tribal lands. After his service in World War II and Korea, he returned there to live and work with the community.

Nephew Kurt Bluedog said Keeble was active in several veterans groups within the reservations, part of thousands of Sioux members who fought in Germany, the Pacific and Korea after their tribal nations declared war in support of the United States.

“All of these soldiers were incredible people who decided to serve,�?he said.

Stepson Russell Hawkins said Keeble’s war valor made him a local hero and an icon for many other tribes.

“And hopefully it will raise the profile of the tribes today, too,�?he said. “So often, we’re only mentioned when there’s a controversy or a fight over tribal lands. It’s nice to have a positive story, where everyone can see a patriotic individual who was a member of the Great Sioux nation.�?/P>

More than 44,000 Native Americans took part in World War II, with many, like Keeble, staying in the service and fighting in Korea as well.

Today more than 22,300 active-duty servicemembers are Native Americans, about 1.6 percent of the total force. Another 1,055 serve in the Coast Guard, about 2.6 percent of that force.

Holden said Native American veterans groups have closely followed Keeble’s story, and see the Medal of Honor as both recognition and opportunity for the community.

“How he performed his duty is a military story, but his life is a Native American story of service,�?he said. “This is our homeland, so it’s our homeland security, too.�?/P>