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Navajo code talkers
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Infographic about Navajo Code Talkers in World War II, featuring statistics on the number of participants, code examples, a map showing other tribes involved, and facts about the code's speed and unbreakable status. Text highlights their key role in the U.S. victory over Japan and notes that over 800 messages were sent error-free during the battle of Iwo Jima. Congressional Gold Medal code talkers code talkers Navajo (self-name Diné) code talkers Navajo code talker Navajo code talkers
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Navajo code talkers

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Infographic about Navajo Code Talkers in World War II, featuring statistics on the number of participants, code examples, a map showing other tribes involved, and facts about the code's speed and unbreakable status. Text highlights their key role in the U.S. victory over Japan and notes that over 800 messages were sent error-free during the battle of Iwo Jima.
Navajo code talkers During World War I and especially World War II, Native American soldiers used their native languages as codes to send sensitive military messages over open radio waves.

The Navajo code talkers were Native American soldiers who used their native language to transmit sensitive wartime messages during World War I and, most notably, World War II. Their unique languages, with no alphabet and complex syntax, served as an unbreakable code for U.S. forces, particularly in the Pacific theater.12

Philip Johnston, who grew up on a Navajo reservation, proposed using the Navajo language to the U.S. Marine Corps. Because Navajo had no existing words for military terms, special code words were created, such as "besh-lo" (iron fish) for submarine and "dah-he-tih-hi" (hummingbird) for fighter plane.1

The Marine Corps trained hundreds of Navajo men as code talkers, who served in major campaigns. Their vital role in secure and rapid communication was crucial to Allied victories, though their service remained classified for decades.12

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