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Names of the Original 29 Navajo Code Talkers

Introduction

During World War II, the United States military faced a significant challenge in communicating securely with troops on the front lines. The Japanese had broken many of the codes used by the military, leaving American soldiers vulnerable to attack. In an effort to create an unbreakable code, the military turned to the Navajo people and their language. The Navajo code talkers played a crucial role in the war effort, using their language to create a code that was never broken by the enemy. This article explores the names and stories of the original 29 Navajo code talkers.

The Navajo Language

The Navajo language is a complex and nuanced language that is spoken by the Navajo people, who live primarily in the southwestern United States. The language is known for its intricate grammar and syntax, which makes it difficult for non-speakers to learn. During World War II, the Navajo language was used to create a code that was never broken by the enemy. The code was based on the Navajo language's complex grammar and syntax, making it nearly impossible for the Japanese to decipher.

The Original 29 Code Talkers

The original 29 Navajo code talkers were recruited by the United States military in 1942. These men were chosen for their fluency in the Navajo language and their willingness to serve their country. The 29 code talkers were sent to Camp Pendleton in California for training, where they were taught how to use their language to create an unbreakable code. The code talkers were then sent to the Pacific theater, where they played a crucial role in the war effort.

Names and Stories of the Original 29 Code Talkers

1. Chester Nez: Nez was the last surviving member of the original 29 code talkers. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 93. Nez was born in New Mexico and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Nez returned to the United States and worked as a painter and a writer. 2. Joe Hosteen Kellwood: Kellwood was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Kellwood returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 3. Carl Gorman: Gorman was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Gorman became an artist and a teacher. 4. Samuel Tso: Tso was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Tso returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 5. John Brown: Brown was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Brown returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 6. Roy Begay: Begay was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Begay returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 7. Lloyd Oliver: Oliver was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Oliver returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 8. Ben Yazzie: Yazzie was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Yazzie returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 9. John Pinto: Pinto was born in New Mexico and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Pinto returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 10. Tom Jones Jr.: Jones was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Jones returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 11. Joe Morris Sr.: Morris was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Morris returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 12. Teddy Draper Sr.: Draper was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Draper returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 13. Bill Toledo: Toledo was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Toledo returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 14. Robert Walley: Walley was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Walley returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 15. Joe Vandever Sr.: Vandever was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Vandever returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 16. Preston Toledo: Toledo was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Toledo returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 17. Frank Toledo: Toledo was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Toledo returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 18. Nelson Draper: Draper was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Draper returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 19. Carl Nelson Gorman: Gorman was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Gorman became an artist and a teacher. 20. Jack Nez Sr.: Nez was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Nez returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 21. Alfred Peaches: Peaches was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Peaches returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 22. George H. Kirk Sr.: Kirk was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Kirk returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 23. Jack C. Willie Sr.: Willie was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Willie returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 24. Frank Chee Willetto: Willetto was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Willetto returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 25. John V. Goodluck Sr.: Goodluck was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Goodluck returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 26. Tom H. Begay: Begay was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Begay returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 27. Harry Tsosie: Tsosie was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Tsosie returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 28. George H. Kirk Jr.: Kirk Jr. was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Kirk Jr. returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor. 29. Dan Akee: Akee was born in Arizona and grew up speaking Navajo. He was recruited by the military in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. After the war, Akee returned to the United States and worked as a Navajo code talker instructor.

Conclusion

The Navajo code talkers played a crucial role in World War II by using their language to create an unbreakable code. The original 29 code talkers were instrumental in the war effort, and their legacy lives on today. The names and stories of these brave men serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during the war. The Navajo language and culture continue to be an important part of American history, and the code talkers will always be remembered as heroes.