National Navajo Code Talkers Day

Following is some background information on the National Navajo Code Talkers Day:

There were at least 14 other Native nations, including the Cherokee and Comanche, that served as code talkers in both the Pacific and Europe wars. Using American Indians who were fluent in both their traditional Native language and in English to send secret messages in battle was first put to the test in World War I with the Choctaw Telephone Squad and other Native communications experts and messengers. However, it wasn’t until World War II that the US military developed a specific policy to recruit and train Indigenous speakers to become code talkers. It was during this time, the Original 29 young Navajos were recruited. The irony of being asked to use their Native languages to fight on behalf of America was not lost on code talkers, many of whom had been forced to attend government or religious-run boarding schools that tried to assimilate Native peoples and would punish students for speaking their traditional language.

For the Navajo Nation approximately 420 Navajos served in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII as code talkers. National Navajo Code Talkers Day is a day to commemorate the contributions of Native American code talkers who served in the U.S. military during World Wars I and II. Code talkers utilized a secret, coded language, based on their native language, to communicate important information over military telephones and radios. During World War II, the U.S. Marines enlisted the first and Original 29 Navajo men, who developed the secret code, after which additional code talkers enlisted to carry out the delivery of the codes. Code talkers worked in pairs — one on the frontlines and one behind the lines – communicating by radio and telephone. To prevent the enemy from breaking the code and gaining access to important information, there were no printed code manuals. Code talkers had to memorize all the words and translations they used.

Decades after their service and sacrifice, the federal government recognized and honored the legacy and history of the code talkers’ contributions to American democracy. WWII code talker program was kept secret and was finally declassified in 1968. Up to this time, the code talkers were ordered not to talk about their military service in the code talker program. It wasn’t until August 14, 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared the day as National Navajo Code Talkers Day. In 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded the Original 29 Navajo code talkers with the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2001, President George W. Bush presented medals to the four surviving code talkers at a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

In March 2021, at the recommendation and support from the Navajo Nation, specifically Senator Jamescita Peshlakai (a veteran herself), Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation making National Navajo Code Talkers Day a legal state holiday every year on August 14. Governor Ducey stated the Navajo Code Talkers are American Heroes and assisted on every major operation involving the U.S. Marines in the Pacific threatre. Honoring the courage of the Code Talkers and their critical role in the Allied victory of WWII is critical for Arizona and for the country. Under Senate Bill 1802, if National Navajo Code Talkers Day falls on a day other than Sunday, the Sunday following August 14 is to be observed as the holiday.

As of July 29, 2022, Navajo Code Talker Samuel Sandoval made his transition to embrace his Creator and the ancestors. Of the 400+ Navajo Code Talkers, only three remain. We keep them and all code talkers & their families in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for the service & sacrifice and for being a shield for our traditional lifeways and for our country.