Authors research new book on Sioux World War I Veterans from South Dakota

By Avis Little Eagle
For Teton Times

MCLAUGHLIN – Authors Michael and Ann Knudson, who published the book “Warriors In Khaki – Native American Doughboys from North Dakota,” are now researching a book on Native American World War I Veterans from South Dakota.
They are reaching out to families of all the Sioux Tribes in South Dakota who may have a WWI serviceman in their family. They are looking for any photos of servicemen in uniform or in their everyday lives. Anything that shows what they looked like, at any age, would be worth having. They are also looking for any documents, letters, and family stories they can find, including what the servicemen did with their lives after the war and where they are buried.
The couple will get copies or take a picture of the photos so families do not have to let the photos leave their possession.
The authors can be reached via e-mail at mikeannknudson@msn.com or their mailing address is 22 Garden Drive, Bismarck, N.D.5850-5355. Anyone on Standing Rock who is interested in setting up a time to meet with the Knudson’s can also contact Standing Rock Councilwoman Avis Little Eagle, and she will assist the family members in setting up a meeting or scanning photos, etc.
Their new project will be a very valuable reference book as they will be compiling the data from State historical archives, and National archives located in Kansas and DC. Their book will detail service awards, battle accomplishments and service affiliation of the South Dakota Native Ameriicans of the Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Lower Brule, Sisseton, Crow Creek, Flandreau Santee Sioux and Oglala and Rosebud Sioux Tribes who served in World War I. This information is not readily available in any existing work.
Mike Knuduson has been interested in history and genealogy since high school. He served in the Peace Corps in Morrocco and went back to college where he received his master’s degree and had a career with the Soil Conservation Service in North Dakota. He retired in 2011 and now has more time for research on family and military history, especially the World War I era. His wife Ann, served 28 years in the North Dakota National Guard and retired in 2012.
Mike is from Wisconsin and Ann is from upstate New York. They met in college in Syracuse, NY. they have lived in North Dakota since 1977, in Wahpeton, Lisbon and Bismarck and reared two children.