More than 11,000 American Indians served with the American forces during World War I. Nearly 5,000 Native men enlisted and approximately 6,500 were drafted—despite the fact that most American Indians were not citizens and therefore not eligible for conscription. In all, approximately 25 percent of Native men served in the military. They often volunteered to serve in dangerous roles, including snipers and scouts. Unlike African American soldiers, Native Americans were not restricted to segregated regiments.
