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Related: About this forumOne of the Last Navajo Code Talkers from World War II Dies at 107
'One of the last Navajo Code Talkers from World War II dies at 107,' AP News, Oct. 21, 2024.
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers who transmitted messages during World War II based on the tribes native language, has died. He was 107. Navajo Nation officials in Window Rock announced Kinsels death on Saturday.
Tribal President Buu Nygren has ordered all flags on the reservation to be flown at half-staff until Oct. 27 at sunset to honor Kinsel. Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker, Nygren said in a statement Sunday.
With Kinsels death, only two Navajo Code Talkers are still alive: Former Navajo Chairman Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay.
Hundreds of Navajos were recruited by the Marines to serve as Code Talkers during the war, transmitting messages based on their then-unwritten native language. They confounded Japanese military cryptologists during World War II and participated in all assaults the Marines led in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima.
The Code Talkers sent thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics and other communications crucial to the wars ultimate outcome. Navajo Nation officials in Window Rock announced Kinsels death on Saturday. Tribal President Buu Nygren has ordered all flags on the reservation to be flown at half-staff until Oct. 27 at sunset to honor Kinsel. Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker, Nygren said in a statement Sunday...
https://apnews.com/article/navajo-code-talkers-word-war-ii-5f527f43eebaede11eb86f7bdad27a39
niyad
(119,487 posts)marybourg
(13,129 posts)FirstLight
(13,960 posts)Amd to be 107! What a lifetime of stories to share with his family and the Tribe.
I send his Spirit great honor and prayers🪶
Skittles
(158,410 posts)LoisB
(8,501 posts)littlemissmartypants
(25,114 posts)sdfernando
(5,363 posts)I am humbled by all of the Navajo Code Talkers. Humbled by their sacrifice. Humbled by their bravery. Humbled by their devotion to this nation in the face of discrimination and degradation.
John Kinsel, I pay homage and honor your spirit.