Adrian Haynes (''Poponsesset'' in

Wampanoag The Wampanoag , also rendered Wôpanâak, are an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands based in southeastern Massachusetts and historically parts of eastern Rhode Island,Salwen, "Indians of Southern New England and Long Island," p. 17 ...

, February 28, 1926 – April 26, 2014) was a chief of the

Mashpee Wampanoag The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe (formerly Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council, Inc.) is one of two federally recognized tribes of Wampanoag people in Massachusetts. Recognized in 2007, they are headquartered in Mashpee on Cape Cod. The other ...

and a United States Navy veteran of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

Biography

Born in

Mashpee, Massachusetts Mashpee ( wam, Mâseepee) is a town in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, United States, on Cape Cod. The population was 15,060 as of 2020. The town is the site of the headquarters and most members of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, one of two feder ...

Cape Cod Cape Cod is a peninsula extending into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of mainland Massachusetts, in the northeastern United States. Its historic, maritime character and ample beaches attract heavy tourism during the summer mont ...

in 1926, Haynes was a son of Clinton Mye Haynes and Daisy F. Mingo. He was the brother of Clinton, Jr.; Vernon, Tisquantum, Violet, Anita, Rita, Naomi and Nickomas. His family were

Wampanoag people The Wampanoag , also rendered Wôpanâak, are an Indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands based in southeastern Massachusetts and historically parts of eastern Rhode Island,Salwen, "Indians of Southern New England and Long Island," p. 17 ...

, who had long historic ties to this land. He went to local schools. During World War II, he served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

from 1943 to 1947. He was with the Naval Supply Ninth Amphibian Force that took part in the 1944 Anzio invasion in Italy, and was decorated for his service. Always proud of his military service, he was a member of

Veterans of Foreign Wars The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), formally the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, is an organization of US war veterans, who, as military service members fought in wars, campaigns, and expeditions on foreign land, waters, or a ...

John Glass Post 2188,

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is a non-profit organization of U.S. war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militi ...

Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64, and the Disabled American Veterans Cpl. William F. Reardon Chapter 57 of Taunton. Haynes lived in

Middleboro, Massachusetts Middleborough (frequently written as Middleboro) is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 24,245 at the 2020 census. History The town was first settled by Europeans in 1661 as Nemasket, later changed to M ...

as an adult. He worked in foundries, was a truck driver and also worked at a state hospital.Alice C. Elwell, "'Reflect, respect,'" ''Boston Globe,'' May 25, 2008 He worked with the Wampanoag at Aquinnah (formerly Gay's Head) on

Martha's Vineyard Martha's Vineyard, often simply called the Vineyard, is an island in the Northeastern United States, located south of Cape Cod in Dukes County, Massachusetts, known for being a popular, affluent summer colony. Martha's Vineyard includes the s ...

to found a museum for their history. He also worked in a dance hall there. Haynes was a Wampanoag chief, known as ''Poponsesset'' in his language, meaning Silver Beech. He was well respected and helped the community maintain cohesion. He was able to see his people gain federal recognition as a tribe in 2007. He died in

Plymouth, Massachusetts Plymouth (; historically known as Plimouth and Plimoth) is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. Located in Greater Boston, the town holds a place of great prominence in American history, folklore, and culture, and is known as ...

, and was buried at Old Indian Church Cemetery in Mashpee."Wampanoag chief, WWII veteran Haynes dies at 88"
''South Coast Today''

Notes

1926 births 2014 deaths People from Mashpee, Massachusetts Mashpee Wampanoag people Native American leaders Native American people from Massachusetts 20th-century Native Americans 21st-century Native Americans {{NativeAmerican-politician-stub