Florida's Seminole Tribe in World War II

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Howard Tiger was one of several Seminole Tribe members who enlisted for military service in World War II. He joined the Marines in September 1943.

Photo Credit: Florida State Archives

Members of the Seminole Tribe of Florida served in the U.S. military during World War II.

At the outbreak of World War II, the Seminole population numbered between 550 and 800. Some lived on the three reservations at Dania, Big Cypress and Brighton, while others lived in small settlements in the southwest portion of the state. 

In 1924, congressional legislation granted citizenship to all American Indians, making Seminoles eligible for the draft, which was instituted in 1940. Tribal leaders opposed draft registration, and initially just two Seminoles enrolled for Selective Service. Seminole Superintendent Dwight Gardin tried to force the remainder to comply and requested that the FBI arrest several tribal leaders. The arrests never took place and by June 1, 1942 W. Stanley Hanson, who had been appointed head of the Seminole registration program, was able to report that 67 of 108 eligible Seminoles had registered for the draft.

The State Selective Service apparently determined not to press the registration issue, as only a few members of the tribe would have met qualifications to serve. Eventually, several Seminoles enlisted for military service. Howard Tiger joined the Marines in September 1943, while Jack Osceola served in the Army and Moses Jumper, Sr. in the U.S. Navy.