The Navajo Code Talkers

 

The beginning of the Navajo Code Talkers began on May 4, 1942 when 29 recruits were placed aboard a bus and transported to San Diego, California for Marine Corps training. The program was originally established in September gearing to create a code language that had no written alphabet or documentation. Navajo males between the ages of 17 and 32 were recruited, some leaving their native land for the first time to travel overseas on the front lines. After the ending of the war and returning in the United States, the existence of the Navajo Code Talker program was kept a secret for decades more.

 

In all there were about 420 Navajo Code Talkers trained during WWII.  There are less than 20 Navajo Code Talkers still with us. 

 

 

The Navajo Code Talkers and the Young Marines

The Young Marines first met the Navajo Code Talkers in 2006 on Iwo Jima.  The Young Marines listened to these brave men and were inspired by their heroism.  The Young Marines were invited to participate in Navajo Code Talker Day on the Navajo reservation on Aug. 14th, 2006.  The Young Marines raised the money to attend, to bring the Marine Corps Band to the event, and to provide gifts to these brave men and their wives.  The Young Marines also brought 5 Navajo Code Talkers to Washington DC for the grand opening of the Marine Corps Museum and have attended every Navajo Code Talker Day event since 2006.  The Young Marines act as escorts and assist the Navajo Code Talkers during the event.  They put on an appreciation dinner for the men on the evening before the event and provide their hotel rooms for the evening of the 13th as well. 

 

• Aug. 13th - Generations of Honor 5K Run / Walk

• Aug. 14th - Parade at 9:00am.  Ceremony immediately following at The Navajo Nation Veteran's Memorial Park.