Chickasaw citizen Nathaniel Thomas grew up in Eufaula, Oklahoma and joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17. During WWII, Thomas served in the South Pacific on Manus Island, New Guinea, and later was on a support ship in Samar, Philippines. When the war was over, the 18 year old returned home and eventually married, had four children and became a minister. Thomas says that, looking back, he recognizes God was with him throughout his journey. "I'm going on 92 years old and I feel good," he said. "I had a good life."