In Memory of Beatrice Coffey-Thayer

Beatrice Coffey-Thayer lived 99 extraordinary years. She was a respected Elder of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, a survivor of Stewart Indian School, a Native American Woman Warrior, a mother and family member, a keeper of stories, and a veteran whose military service stretched across several generations of American history.

Born April 8, 1927, Bea was a direct descendant of the Paddy Cap Band and Snake Band of Northern Malheur Paiutes. Her family came to the Reno Colony during the Great Depression, and her childhood included hardship and poverty as well as the strength of family and community.

As a young Native girl, Bea was sent to Stewart Indian School. Like so many Native children of that era, she experienced the difficult realities of the federal Indian boarding school system. Those experiences remained part of her story for the rest of her life.

But hardship did not define Bea. Service did. During World War II, she began by helping women in Reno cut and roll bandages for wounded servicemen. She wanted to do more. In1945, at only 17 years old, Bea joined the Women’s Army Corps.

Even getting to basic training demonstrated something about the woman she would become. When the recruiters who were supposed to help with her transportation failed to arrive, Bea found her own way to Fort Des Moines, Iowa. She trained as a medic, worked with troop records, served as a chaplain assistant, and eventually prepared sensitive military personnel orders at Command Headquarters.

In 1948, Bea transferred into the newly established United States Air Force. She served at Langley Air Force Base, Mitchell Air Base, and later with 12th Air Force Headquarters in Germany. She completed that period of service in 1958 as a Staff Sergeant.

Years later, when opportunities expanded for women with dependents to serve, Bea put the uniform back on.

She served in the U.S. Army Reserve and then spent another 11 years in the Nevada Army National Guard, serving as a recruiter and even playing clarinet and French horn in the Guard band while maintaining her civilian career. Think about the history contained in one lifetime.

A Native girl who experienced the boarding school era and the Great Depression went on to serve during World War II, witnessed the creation of the United States Air Force, served overseas in postwar Germany, returned to military service later in life, and continued serving her Native community for decades afterward.

And Bea’s service did not end when she took off the uniform. Her military service eventually received national recognition. She participated in the inaugural Native American Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., later participated in a Pearl Harbor Day Honor Flight, and was asked to give an invocation at the USS Arizona.

Her story was also documented by the National WWII Museum. To many, she simply became known as “Queen Bea.” Yesterday, it was our turn to serve her.

At the time of her passing, she was recognized as the last Native American woman veteran of World War II.