We celebrate Navajo Code Talkers Day

The Navajo Nation recognizes August 14 as Navajo Code Talker Day. The 25th Navajo Nation Council honors and commemorates the outstanding legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers for their extraordinary sacrifices and contributions to the United States during World War II.

On behalf of the Council, President Crystalyne Curley offered heartfelt appreciation to the code talkers and spoke of the vital role of the Navajo language during World War II and the importance of passing on the sacred language to younger generations.

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“Using Diné bizaad, our sacred language, to protect our freedom serves as a profound example for us all. On the front lines of the most historic battles, young Diné Marines used our language to protect our soldiers and our homeland. Our language is powerful and sacred. It is important to teach our language to younger generations to sustain our identity and strengthen our people,” said President Curley. “Today, we are fortunate to have three more Navajo Code Talkers with us, Thomas H. Begay, John Kinsel, Sr. and former Navajo Tribal Chairman Peter MacDonald, Sr. We also offer our prayers to the families of Code Talkers who have passed -over the years.”

The day honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, a group of Diné citizens who served in the US Marine Corps during World War II using the Navajo language to transmit secret tactical messages, was established by a proclamation issued by President since Ronald Reagan.

During World War II, in the South Pacific theater, the Navajo Code Talkers used a secret code that was never broken by the Japanese that allowed the United States military to communicate with each other to ensure victory. The Navajo language was used to secure military lines of communication to advance Marines on the battlefields of the Pacific Theater.

The original group of 29 Navajo code talkers relayed information about tactics, troop movements, orders and other messages on the battlefield using telephones and radios. Their work was so successful that over 400 Navajos were called upon to serve as code talkers by the end of World War II.

The 25th Navajo Nation Council thanks the coordinators involved in the organization and success of the 2024 Navajo Code Talker Day activities, including the United States Marine Corps, United States Marine Band, Young Marines, Devil Pups, Navajo Code Talkers Association, and all Navajo Code Talkers and their families.

The Navajo Nation will host a special Navajo Code Talker Day event at the fairgrounds in Window Rock, Arizona beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday. The event will be streamed live on the Navajo Nation Council Facebook page.

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