Six Navajo Code Talkers and their families were welcomed that the Arizona Legislature on Wednesday, July 16, following a ceremonial bill signing with Arizona’s Governor, which recognizes Aug. 14 as Navajo Code Talkers’ Day.
Navajo Code talkers Peter MacDonald, George James, George Willie, Bahe Ketchum, Joe Kellwood and Dan Akee visited the House after the signing ceremony. Roy Hawthorne who attended the signing ceremony was unable to take the tour.
Rep. Jamescita Peshlakai, D-Cameron (Dist. 07) and Sen. Carlyle Begay, D-Ganado (Dist. 07) attended the ceremony.
MacDonald served four terms as Chairman of the Navajo Nation, in 1971-83 and 1987-91. He also co-founded the Council of Energy Resource Tribes (CERT), National Tribal Chairman Association, American Indian National Bank and the Native American Prep School.
A World War II Veteran, MacDonald served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 6th Marine Division from 1944-46 in the South Pacific and North China. Upon his discharge, he earned a degree from the University of Oklahoma. He was employed as a project manager for the Hughes Aircraft Company, manufacturing the Polaris Guidance System.
Roy Hawthorne was a code talker for the Marine Corps in World War II and also served in Korea. When he was honored by the Washington Redskins this year he said, “When I went into the Marine Corps as a 17-year-old boy, I felt invincible. The Marine Corps didn’t diminish that at all. So even today I feel invincible because we have this great country that God has given us. I’m ready to do it again.”
George James was a code talker stationed with the Marine Corps at Iwo Jima. He volunteered for three days on the front line when his unit’s artillery men drew heavy casualties. “We turned everything around,” James said at the Redskins ceremony. “Won the war on it.”
During World War II, 29 Navajo recruits developed an unbreakable code that was used to communicate information vital to battlefield commanders, particularly in the Pacific theater. The Code Talkers then used the code to rely commands particularly from ship to shore. The code was never broker and was not declassified until 1968.
Senate Bill 1099 designates Aug. 14 as Navajo Code Talkers’ Day.
“The bravery, patriotism and brilliance of the Navajo Code Talkers will remain a point of pride for Arizona and our nation for all time,” said Speaker Andy Tobin. “The efforts of these men saved the lives of many.”