Navajo Code Talkers

The initial group of 29 Navajos were
recruited by the Marine Corps to develop a
code using their native language, that could
easily be used for sending and receiving
secure communications.
The testing of that code was met with
success and as a result was used in every
major operation involving the Marines in the
Pacific theater from Guadalcanal to the final
battle in Okinawa. The code was especially
successful in the battle of Iwo Jima, when 2m
plus Code Talkers worked around the clock,
transmitting coded messages, often with little
sleep. These messages were crucial to
eventual victory in the historic battle for that
iconic island.
Overall, 13 were Killed in Action and many
others were wounded. Five (5) were buried in
National Resting places.
The Japanese never broke the code and the
program remained Classified until 1968.

Official recognition of their essential role in
WWII was done in when then President
George W. Bush presented the initial group of
29 Marines, who developed the code, with the
Congressional Gold Medal and Silver Medals to
all others who served.
In the President's remarks describing the
story of the Code Talkers at the Medal
Ceremony, he concluded by saying, "Above all,
it is a story of young Navajos who brought
hope to their Nation and victory to their
country."
These men embodied the warrior spirit, a
dedication to honor and to protect, to fight for
a land they have loved and lived on for
thousands of years, sometimes at an extremely
high price.
We, as a nation, will never forget.

Dedicated in honor of the 400 plus Native American Navqjos who, though not required, volunteered to serve their
country, as Code Talkers in the Six WWII Divisions Q/ the United States Marine Corps.