World War IIDuring WWII the primary method of communication

was the Radio.

The problem with radios was that anyone with a radio receiver could tune into your frequency and listen to what you are saying.

Sensitive information had to be encrypted (coded), transmitted, and then decrypted (decoded) in order to be used. This process took a lot of time and slowed the communication process.

World War IIDuring WWII one of the greatest weapons the

Japanese had was their Cryptologists. (communication encrypters and decrypters)

The Japanese were experts at breaking encryption codes.

They would use our communications to plan their strategy.

But then the US Marine Corps discovered their own Secret Weapon

As the Marines conducted their Island Hopping

Campaign on their way to Japan, they had an

un-breakable code which provided communication

security.

The Navajo code allowed the Marines to communicate sensitive information with security preventing the Japanese from knowing our attack plans

Navajo was a “Hidden Language”Navajo was a “Hidden Language”

It had no written form or symbols

It was only spoken in the Navajo Nation in the American Southwest

It was impossible for adults to learn

USMC discovers the Navajo language

• Phillip Johnston grew up on a Navajo Phillip Johnston grew up on a Navajo Reservation as the son of a missionary.Reservation as the son of a missionary.

• He presented a practical demonstration He presented a practical demonstration to the USMC.to the USMC.

• The Marine Corps authorized the The Marine Corps authorized the recruitment of 200 Navajos to be recruitment of 200 Navajos to be trained and used as communicators in trained and used as communicators in the Pacific.the Pacific.

First they were sent to San Diego for Boot Camp and then to the Field Signal Battalion Training Center at Camp Pendleton California.

Requirements: Requirements: Fluent in Navajo language, Fluent in Navajo language, Fluent in English language,Fluent in English language,Learn the Navajo Military CodeLearn the Navajo Military Code

They were They were taught basic taught basic military military communications communications and then a and then a Navajo double Navajo double coded systemcoded system

The written code The written code could not be could not be carried into carried into

combat for fear combat for fear of it falling into of it falling into

the enemy’s the enemy’s hands and being hands and being used to decrypt used to decrypt our messages.our messages.

The entire code The entire code had to be had to be

memorized.memorized.

After their training was complete the Marine Code After their training was complete the Marine Code Talkers were assigned to combat units in the Pacific Talkers were assigned to combat units in the Pacific

About 400 Navajos qualified and served in the About 400 Navajos qualified and served in the Marine Signal Corps in the Pacific during WWIIMarine Signal Corps in the Pacific during WWII

Navajo Code Talkers participated in every Marine Navajo Code Talkers participated in every Marine assault in the Pacific during WWII assault in the Pacific during WWII

They faced the They faced the usual hazards of usual hazards of combat life and combat life and

they had an they had an additional additional hazard in hazard in combat:combat:

Being mistaken Being mistaken for the enemy for the enemy impersonating impersonating

MarinesMarines

Among the Navajo Code Talkers is a strong sense Among the Navajo Code Talkers is a strong sense of Esprit de Corps. They have a heritage of of Esprit de Corps. They have a heritage of

Service Service && Loyalty Loyalty

This Marine Secret Weapon was kept a secret This Marine Secret Weapon was kept a secret from the public for 25 years after WWIIfrom the public for 25 years after WWII

Their Patriotism, Resourcefulness, and Courage Their Patriotism, Resourcefulness, and Courage earned them the gratitude of all Americansearned them the gratitude of all Americans

In 2001 the President of the United States declared In 2001 the President of the United States declared August 14 national Navajo Code Talker DayAugust 14 national Navajo Code Talker Day