Who Is Nathan Phillips? 10 Things To Know About Native American Activist

Nathan Phillips, 63, is a Native American activist that made headlines with a viral video that allegedly showed a confrontation between him and Covington Catholic High School students at the Lincoln Memorial. While Phillips initially claimed the students blocked his exit and used abusive and racial slurs against him, a new video has surfaced that cleared the Kentucky students. Since the incident occurred, Phillips criminal and military history has come to light. Here’s everything we know about him:

Phillips has to Vogue that he is "from Vietnam times." The Marine Corps confirmed to Fox News that he never served in the Vietnam war nor was he ever deployed overseas.
He did serve in the Marine Corps Reserve for four years, leaving in 1976 as a private. He was a refrigerator technician for the majority of his service and an antitank missileman for approximately four months, according to the Washington Examiner.
Phillips has been arrested and charged with a variety of crimes over the years, including escaping from prison, assault, and alcohol-related crimes.
When Phillips was 19, he was charged with escaping the Nebraska Penal Complex, according to a 1974 article from the Lincoln Star.
Phillips also pleaded guilty to assault charges in June 1974 and was fined $200, the Lincoln Star said.
In 1972, 1973, and 1975 he was charged with underage alcohol possession.
He had a destruction of property charge dropped against him in 1973 and was charged with driving without a license in1978, the Washington Examiner reported.
Phillips also previously went by the name Nathaniel R. Stanard, an adoptive name. Phillips has spoken out about his upbringing saying that he was taken from his family when he was five years old and put into foster care.
Phillips is from the Omaha Tribe and has been an activist that demonstrates for Native American causes.
Since the video surfaced, Phillips has offered to visit Covington High School and lead a discussion about cultural understanding, Fox News reported. The student showed in the video, Nick Sandmann, told the "Today" show on Wednesday that he would like to speak to Phillips as well.