TRUE AMERICAN HEROES
THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS





One small group of Marines who proved to be invaluable to the Corps and to the nation was the Navajo Indian Code Talkers. A small group of Navajos met at the request of the Marine Corps and developed a code based upon a substitution system. Simply stated, they took key American words and phrases and substituted Navajo words and phrases.

Since the Navajo have no alphabet and no written language, even other Navajos outside the system could not break the code. This was proven when the Japanese, who had captured a Navajo, tried to use him to decipher the code. It proved to be just as much of a puzzle to him as it was to the Japanese.

The point I want to make here is, not to try to explain how they performed their tasks, but to try to give them just a little of the credit they deserve. The system these Navajos developed proved to be so successful that, after the war, the Marine Corps asked the Navajos to keep their secret. Until they were permitted to tell their story, they never revealed one word of their heroics during the war.

Even today, few people outside the U. S. Marines know of the great role these Navajos played in the victory on Saipan and all other Marine operations in the Pacific.

Although these Marines were to be used primarily as "code talkers," several of them gave their lives doing the job asked of them. I had the honor of knowing and serving with many of the Navajo code talkers, and I am sorry I didn't keep in touch with at least a few of them. I hope that, if any of these men read this, they will contact me so that I may tell their stories in greater detail.

I recall a few light-hearted moments shared with these guys while in boot training with them. When we were training in the hills, they, knowing the rest of us had no idea what they were sending over the radio, would spend some time on the air chatting with friends in other outfits. This was supposed to be taboo, but who could tell?

A couple of us finally figured out a way of determining when they finished the official message and when they were just sharing a little gossip. We would watch their faces intently and soon discovered that, while they were communicating official business, their faces were very intent and showed no expression. But as soon as they started "shooting the breeze," so to speak, there would be a slight smile come over their faces. When this happened, one of us would go over and remind them to get off the air now that they had completed the assignment.

The first time we figured this out, they seemed shocked that we were able to know the difference. They asked us many times, but we never told them how we knew. I'm sure this was a puzzle to them all during the war.

While we were at Camp Pendleton, we would go on liberty in San Diego. Most of the time, we all went together. I shall never forget this one Navajo we all called "Bitsy," because he was so small. The group usually ended up in a bar or club and some of the guys would have one or two beers too many. When Bitsy had one or two too many, it usually meant there would be a fight.

Bitsy was one tough little marine, but he knew his limitations. After the fight got into full swing, you would usually see Bitsy on his hands and knees, crawling out of the middle of the melee with a grin from ear to ear. He would back up against the wall and watch the rest of the fight that he usually had started. When the Military Police or Shore Patrol showed up, as they always did, he appeared as innocent as a little cherub. I don't remember anyone who disliked Bitsy.

One other incident was both funny and tragic. It happened on the way to the operation on Saipan. We used a very unique system of washing our work clothes aboard ship. It involved tying your pants and jackets in a bundle, securing the line to the ship, then letting them drag in the sea water. After a short time, they would be very clean, but somewhat salty.

We called this one code talker "Chief," simply because he had some authority back home with his people, or so we were told. On this day, he decided to do as the rest of us and drag his dirty clothes over the side to wash them. I sat topside and helped him locate enough line, then started to go below decks.

Just as I walked away, I saw Chief toss his clothes over the side. I also noticed he had forgotten to secure the other end of the line. I yelled to warn him, but too late. He just stood there in stunned silence and watched his work uniform float away on top of a wave. When he turned and looked directly in my direction, I quickly removed any trace of a smile from my face -- I knew this was not the time to make a joke!

The Marine Corps was finally able to give recognition to these brave men but, in my opinion, the nation still owes them more than they have been given. To the Navajo code talker I say, "Semper Fi! and Thank you...."



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