Vernon Tsoodle was born May 13, 1931, in Mountain View OK and a member of the Kiowa Tribe. He was a student at Chilocco Indian Agricultural School in 1946. 

In 1947,  Tsoodle, enlisted with the 45th Infantry Division of the Oklahoma National Guard. At the time of his discharge from the Oklahoma National Guard, Vernon had attained the rank of corporal. 

In September 1949, Vernon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was sent to the Marine Corps Training Depot in San Diego, Calif. 

In June 1950, he was deployed to Korea with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade where he participated in the defense of Korea during the "Pusan Parameter" phase of the war. The division then advanced north to the Hungnam/Hamhung North Korea area and then to the "CHOSIN" Reservoir area where the famous battle of "Chosin" pitted 15,000 Marines against seven Chinese divisions consisting of 120,000 men.  Master Gunnery Sgt. Tsoodle was in the field of communications during his time in the Marine Corps.

In 1960, Tsoodle served as Cryptographer Clerk at various Marine Corps Bases including the American Embassy, Tokyo. Remaining in the communication field, he was assigned to attend training to become an Operational Communications Chief. 

While stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz., he was ordered to Vietnam where he served from 1966-1967 as a Artillery Battery Communication Chief and was later transferred to the Third Marine Amphibious Force Headquarters in Danang, Vietnam.  

 After returning to the states, he was again ordered back to Vietnam and served from 1969-1970. Master Gunnery Sgt. Tsoodle completed his service with the Inspector Instructor Staff at Houston.

VERNON TSOODLE

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