The Navajo Nation mourns the loss of Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye, Sr., who passed away today at the age of 97. We offer our heartfelt appreciation to the family for sharing his life with us. May the Creator bless you and your family with strength and comfort. Ahe’hee’ pic.twitter.com/J3gckFZyEU
— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) May 11, 2019
On Friday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced the passing of Navajo Code Talker Fleming Begaye. Code Talker Begaye passed away on Friday in Chinle, Arizona at the age of 97.
President Donald Trump honored Begaye and two other Navajo Code Talkers at the White House in November 2017. “Fleming Begaye is 97 years old, the oldest veteran of World War II,” said Trump during the ceremony. “He survived the Battle of Tarawa. His landing craft was blown up and he literally had to swim to the beach to survive. Also, on Saipan, he also landed on Tinian where he got shot up real badly, and survived one year in a naval hospital.”