Navajo Code Talker Day

Credit: Lance Cpl. Michael Slavin | Date Taken: 08/12/2021
The Navajo Code Talkers are an integral part of this nation’s history. 29 Navajo men initially selected by Marine Corps leadership, used their unique and complex native language to formulate a code that remained unbreakable to the enemy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fighting in almost every major battle, the approximate 400 Code Talkers were able to translate messages in as few as 20 seconds as opposed to the normal 30 minutes with existing code-breaking machines. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated August 14 as National ‘Navajo Code Talker Day’ to honor the dedication of all members of the Navajo Nation and all Native Americans who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Michael Slavin)