The Navajo Nation is in mourning. Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye has ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Navajo Code Talker Private First Class Bahe Ketchum.
President Russell Begaye ordered flags across the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff from sunrise on June 9 to sunset on June 12, 2015, in honor of the late Navajo Code Talker Bahe Ketchum.
Ketchum passed at the age of 96 at 9:20 a.m. today in Flagstaff.
“The Navajo Nation sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bahe Ketchum. As a Navajo Code Talker, he defended not only the Navajo Nation, but the United States of America against tyranny and oppression,” said President Begaye.
“We salute his bravery, sacrifice and determination for the Navajo people,” he added.
Vice President Jonathan Nez said, “Bahe Ketchum honored the Navajo people, not only through his service as a Navajo Code Talker, but by his willingness to help people throughout his lifetime.”
“Bahe Ketchum was an American hero and he will be honored by the generations to come for his service to his country. We salute his life and his military service,” said Vice President Nez.
Vice President Nez was the former council delegate for the chapters of Inscription House, Navajo Mountain, Oljato and Shonto.
Senator John McCain released a statement praising the elite group of Native Americans who assisted American commanders during World War II by using their language skills to develop and transmit coded messages. “I join the entire state of Arizona in mourning the loss of Bahe Ketchum, a member of the legendary Navajo Code Talkers whose bravery, tenacity and resourcefulness saved the lives of countless men and women. Using their unique language skills, Bahe and his fellow Code Talkers devised the only allied code that the enemy was never able to decipher and played a critical role in speeding up our decisive victory over tyranny and oppression. We will forever honor Bahe’s remarkable service and sacrifice for the cause of American freedom,” stated McCain.
Arizona State Representative Mark Finchem stated, “Private Ketchum represented a unique aspect of America; the real cultural diversity that has made us a resilient nation of many constituents. E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “Out of many, one” might well be a summary of his contribution to protecting the nation made up of many peoples from many nations.” I admire the contribution that he made and I wish to express my condolences to his family and his people.”
Arizona State Representative Bob Thorpe (Flagstaff) stated, “The State of Arizona joins with our friends and neighbors within the Navajo Nation in honoring United States Marine Corps Navajo Code Talker Private First Class Bahe Ketchum, in grieving both of our loss of yet another member of the Greatest Generation. I have been honored each time I meet vets and active service native Americans who have followed the example of men like Private Ketchum, who have suffered hardship and sacrifice in their service to our country. A grateful state and nation salutes your courage and honor, and profoundly mourns our loss.”
Ketchum reached the rank of private first class and served with the 6th Marine Division from 1944 to 1946. He saw combat in the Battles of Guadalcanal, Okinawa and Tsingtao. He was born in Kaibeto, Ariz. and grew up at Inscription House.
He was married to Estelle Ketchum, who passed in 2006. The couple had 10 sons, two daughters, 29 grandchildren and 18 grandchildren.
Marvin Ketchum, his son, said his father received a “whole slew of medals,” including the Congressional Silver Medal for his service as a Navajo Code Talker.
The funeral date has not been set and the family will be meeting at the Navajo Mountain Chapter House on June 9 at 5 p.m. to plan arrangements, including establishing a bank account for monetary donations.
Marvin Ketchum said his father often talked of working for the headquarters during the war, transmitting and translating messages for generals, commanders and top brass. He said his father also saw action on the battlefield.
“He said he was in Phoenix, about to catch a train, when he ran into a U.S. Marine Corps officer who recommended that he enlist,” Ketchum said. “My father was with a friend he was working with and the officer said, ‘You guys aren’t doing anything, so you should enlist.’ ”
His friend, Willard Nez Tsosie, joined Ketchum and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps to become Navajo Code Talkers.
Ketchum said of his father, “He did a lot of services for the community of Navajo Mountain and people in general. He served his country. He was a positive role model. We ask the public for a lot of prayers for the family.”