Last of original Navajo code talkers dies

[decaro]

CNN) -- Chester Nez, the last of the original Navajo code talkers credited with creating an unbreakable code used during World War II, died Wednesday at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Navajo Nation President said. He was 93.

Nez was one of the 29 Navajos recruited by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the code that would be used by hundreds of code talkers during the war.

"The Navajo Nation flags will all be lowered to half-mast in honor of our hero passing away," President Ben Shelly said.

Nez was a teenager when he was recruited to develop the code. He was assigned with the other code talkers to the Marine Corps' 382nd Platoon.

Military authorities chose Navajo as a code language because it was almost impossible for a non-Navajo to learn and had no written form ...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/04/us/navajo ... index.html

[Fred98]

They spoke the Navaho language. And wrote code using the Navaho language. Great idea!

After WW2 the German and Japanese records became available. We learnt many things. As it turned out the Japanese did not plan on invading Australia - at least for the next 10 years or so.

How did the Japanese view the Navaho language in combat?

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[rhondabrwn]

Chester came to our school to present a program about the development of the code. It was fascinating stuff and a real piece of history. Sorry to hear of his death.

Please note that he is not the last code talker... he was the last of the original group of 29 Navajo. Altogether nearly 500 Navajo served as Code Talkers and there are still about 30 of them surviving. Still, the end is in sight as they are all elderly. Every year a few more leave us to join their comrades. They were real American heroes and I'm glad that they finally got the respect and credit they deserved when their story was finally declassified many decades after their service.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

... How did the Japanese view the Navaho language in combat?

Probably as incomprehensible, giving messages "security in obscurity".

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Chester came to our school to present a program about the development of the code. It was fascinating stuff and a real piece of history ...

Can you recall any of what he said about it?

[catwhoorg]

In light of the centenary of the Great War, its important not to over look the impromptu Choctaw code talkers of WWI.

In fact Hitler was so worried about the prospect that he had a team researching Native American Languages before WWII.

All of the code talkers of the many nations that contributed, undoubtedly saved many many Allied lives in both wars.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: catwhoorg

In light of the centenary of the Great War, its important not to over look the impromptu Choctaw code talkers of WWI.

In fact Hitler was so worried about the prospect that he had a team researching Native American Languages before WWII.

All of the code talkers of the many nations that contributed, undoubtedly saved many many Allied lives in both wars.

Yes, I understand that the first message from the beach on D Day from 4th ID was in Comanche.

[Mobius]

One of my uncles was a radioman with the 1st Marines from Guadalcanal on. He worked with code talkers. His words were 'Those guys were something else.'
I don't really know what that means.[&:]

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Chester came to our school to present a program about the development of the code. It was fascinating stuff and a real piece of history ...

Can you recall any of what he said about it?

He ran through the entire code on about 16 charts, he explained about using Navajo words to "spell" things out, but also how they combined Navajo words to describe things like "dive bombers" or "tanks". It was very complex, actually too complex to keep the kid's attention for long... they got a bit rowdy, but still gave him a standing ovation when Chester was done. He also shared personal stories about he and his buddies and the initial struggle for the code talkers to be taken seriously. At first, they tried to use them as "messengers" and "runners" out of ignorance of what the code could mean for secure communications. This first 29 guys were the ones who fought the battle for recognition as they were initially deployed.

The Navajo (and other native American tribes)have always displayed a superb sense of patriotism and a desire to serve our country despite the history of how their ancestors were treated. I've got dozens of former students serving right now, especially in the Marines. I'm proud of them, but always worried about their getting hurt... glad to see our wars winding down before they have combat deployments.

The Junior ROTC programs on the rez have turned a lot of problem kids around, teaching them self-respect and discipline. The legend of the Code Talkers is always taken seriously!

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Chester came to our school to present a program about the development of the code. It was fascinating stuff and a real piece of history ...

Can you recall any of what he said about it?

He ran through the entire code on about 16 charts, he explained about using Navajo words to "spell" things out, but also how they combined Navajo words to describe things like "dive bombers" or "tanks". It was very complex, actually too complex to keep the kid's attention for long... they got a bit rowdy, but still gave him a standing ovation when Chester was done. He also shared personal stories about he and his buddies and the initial struggle for the code talkers to be taken seriously. At first, they tried to use them as "messengers" and "runners" out of ignorance of what the code could mean for secure communications ...

I couldn't think of a code more secure than a language whose "syntax and tonal qualities were almost impossible for a non-Navajo to learn"!
Thanks, Rhonda,