Three Gila River Combat Veterans Were Honored With Arizona Gold Star Medal

November 21, 2025

Jeston Morris

Community Newsperson

BAPCHULE, Ariz. — On November 7, people from the community, students, and staff went to St. Peter Indian Mission School for the Arizona Gold Star Medal ceremony and the Run for the Fallen.

The three Gila River combat veterans who were recognized. Among them are Pvt. Anthony Jose, PFC. Terry Joe, and Cpl. Johnston Peters. There were a World War II infantryman in the U.S. Army.

Retired Master Sgt. Gary Anderson said that in 2016, a project began to honor 25 Gila River soldiers who had died in battle. The twenty-five fallen soldiers served in the Korean War, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, World War I, and World War II.

The Arizona Gold Star Military Medal was made by the Arizona State Legislature. Cpl. Billy Farris was awarded the Arizona Gold Star Medal in 2016. The former student Farris went to St. Peter. Lance Cpl. Joe Jackson was honored in 2017.

The St. Peter Color Guard presented the colors, and Sister Martha delivered a warm welcome. The National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited in both English and O'otham. Basket dancers and singers from St. Peter's O'otham sang songs and songs to honor the fallen.

“The veterans who are being honored today were not allowed to speak their native language in schools back then, and that’s why it's important to have O’otham language in the honoring ceremony,” said Anderson.

Lt. Gov. Regina Antone bestowed the Arizona Gold Star Medals on the families of the fallen warrior. “It’s a beautiful day to honor the fallen veterans. It humbles and honors me. The fallen warriors were brave, and they were strong and committed.” Lt. Gov. Antone declared, "We will always remember our fallen veterans."

The event concluded with the Run for the Fallen. Both the attendees and the students from St. Peter took part in the run. Following the run, a luncheon was served. Attendees received Run for the Fallen t-shirts. On the navy blue t-shirt in white letters, it said, "Gila River Indian Community, St. Peter Indian Mission School, One Mile-One Marker-One Hero."

Gunnery Sgt. Tommy Thompson, who is a USMC Force Reconnaissance Marine, reflected on the ceremony.

He is a member of the community from District 7 and lives in District 6. He wears a silver diver badge and a golden jump wings.

"The Arizona Gold Star Medal ceremony was great. I enjoy the program. I am looking forward to the next one,” Thompson said. “The youth performance was outstanding, especially the color guard and basket dancing.”

“Our project's objective was to honor 25 fallen service members. We concluded with the final three of the 19 recipients who chose to accept the award. Six families have declined to receive the Arizona Gold Star Medal for various reasons. We recognized the fallen warrior’s family. They were very appreciative of the award,”  Anderson said. “At the previous honoring ceremony, a woman stood up. She was very emotional. She was so glad that she heard her uncle’s name being said. Finally, someone recognized her uncle’s contribution and also acknowledged his loss of life during war.”