The Legendary Navajo Code Talkers

During World War II, in the South Pacific Theater, the Japanese were extremely proficient at
breaking into military radio communications and transmissions. Thus they were able to decipher U.S.
Military codes. The U.S. Armed forces needed to find a secure method of communication if they were
to have any chance of defeating a clever and intelligent foe. To counter the cleverness of the
Japanese cryptographers, 29 Navajo Marines were recruited to devise a secret military code using
their native language. By war’s end, there were over 400 Navajo Marines serving as code talkers and
the vocabulary had doubled. So successful was this innovative code that the Marine Corps commanders
credited it with saving the lives of countless American Marines and soldiers. It enabled their
successful engagements throughout the Pacific Theater which included the battles for Guadalcanal,
Wake Island, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The code paved the way to early
victory for the allied forces in the South Pacific. Major Howard M. Conner, 5th Marine Division
Signal Officer stationed on Iwo Jima, commented on the gallantry of the Navajo Code Talkers: “Were
it not for the Navajos, the Marines would not have taken Iwo Jima.”

Far from their homes, these brave young Navajo Marines served our nation with honor and dignity. The
tale of their exploits remained a closely guarded secret for decades in the event that the Navajo
ode Talkers unique talents would be needed again. In 1968 the Navajo code was finally declassified.
In July 2001, at the National Capital Rotunda, United States President, the honorable George W.
Bush, awarded the Congressional Gold Medals to the first 29 Navajo Code Talkers, their surviving
spouses or children. In November of 2001 at the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock, Arizona, the
Congressional Silver Medals were awarded to the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers, their surviving
spouses or children. Sadly, many of the Navajo Code Talkers have passed on never knowing of the
honor a grateful nation has bestowed upon them. The Navajo Code Talkers will never be forgotten.

Dine’ Bizaad Yee Atah Naayee’ Yik’eh Deesdlii