Jessica Crabtree

Read the story behind the Native American Code Talkers of World Wars I and II.

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Native American code talkers were used as early as World War I – a time when most American Indians were not even considered citizens, and the use of their languages and other traditional practices were severely restricted. Little-known languages, including Choctaw, Creek, and Comanche served to transmit secret military messages. The code talkers’ story remained obscure for decades, and only recently have their enormous contributions been recognized. During the first two days of the Battle of Iwo Jima, for example, Navajo code talkers exchanged more than 800 strategic messages.  Major Howard Connor of the 5th Marine Division said of them, “Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.” The Navajo code used in World War II was never cracked.

See also:

http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_talker

Above: Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi, Feb. 23, 1945. From the right: Harlon Block, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, Michael Strank, Frank Sousley, Ira Hayes (Pima).