F.A. Reinhart / AFP - Getty Images

This photo ca. 1898 courtesy of the Library of Congress in Washington, DC shows Geronimo (Guiyatle) by F.A. Reinhart, Omaha. Native American leaders in the United States expressed outrage on May 4, 2011 that the name of legendary Apache warrior Geronimo was used as a military codename during the commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden. "To associate a native warrior with bin Laden is not an accurate reflection of history, and it undermines the military service of native people," said a statement by Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Geronimo, an Apache chief who lived from 1829 to 1909, was a famed warrior who fought in what is now the US state of New Mexico, battling US and Mexican authorities as the American West was being settled. Keel said using the name of Geronimo during last weekend's US special forces operation against bin Laden in Pakistan was an affront to native peoples because it linked them to one of the most reviled enemies of the United States.

Historical image of Geronimo, Apache chief, whose name was used as code during bin Laden raid

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