Lives of the Navajo Code Talkers

The Navajo Code Talkers lived troubles lives during their childhood. They were often separated from their parents and sent to boarding schools, such as the Ganado Mission School. There at the boarding schools they faced poor treatment and disrespect for their culture and language. They were punished whenever they spoke their native tongue.

Before World War II, the Navajo language was wanted to be wiped out and obliterated by the American government. After World War II, however, the Navajo language was wanted to be preserved so that it could be used for future purposes.

About 4,000 Navajo fought in World War II. About 400 were code talkers. These Navajo men fought because they didn't like the fact that Japan attacked their homeland.

Common Navajo words stood for specific letters. The code talkers spelled out messages in this way, and the receiving end translated them back into English. Some words, such as "ground boiler" for "rocket," were used in place of other words. This worked so successfully because it was complicated and alien to the Japanese.

The code talkers were not given a heroes' welcome when they returned home. The American government wanted to keep their work a secret so that they could use it again if needed. Much later in the 60's, the code was declassified, and in the 2000's, the code talkers finally received recognition through Congressional Medals of Honor.