Navajo Code Talkers
What sorts of specific war-related tasks was this group involved in?
Four hundred Navajo were recruited into the Marine Corps as code talkers. Their primary duty was transmitting telephone and radio messages. They were stationed in many Pacific Islands.
Why were their codes so successful?
The Navajo didn't have a written alphabet or symbols, so this made it "hidden" to anybody trying to intercept the messages besides the few Navajo speakers.
These are the original Navajo Code Talkers.
Some of the Navajo code talkers are being honored for their work in the military.
Navajo Code Talkers played a big part in winning the Battle of Iwo Jima.
In 1969, the code talkers were given a Certificate of Recognition.
Discrimination
Even after the Navajo Code Talkers returned home after serving in the military, they were still treated with disrespect and had to go back to poverty stricken reservations.