The Navajo Code Talkers
People now know about the famous Navajo Code Talkers, thanks in part to the 2002 movie Windtalkers. But during World War II, even the very existence of the elite code talkers was a heavily guarded secret. With the cunning use of their native Navajo tongue, they were able to pass vital information along to U.S. troops without the chance of the message being interrupted and translated. A small force of only 400 was able to confound the Japanese attempts to gain information.
Before the Code Talkers, the Japanese had been having an easy time intercepting and translating the American messages. They had excellent English translators.
After the Code Talkers began their operations, not one coded message was broken.
The Code Talkers had been sworn to utter secrecy regarding their actions in the field, and even after the subject was officially declassified in 1968, they kept quiet. But now not many are left, due to age and illness, and the remaining men fear that their incredible story will be lost.
Let us not forget their vital part in World War II.
For more information about the Navajo Code Talkers, click here for an article talking about them joining in for Veteran’s Day, or here for the official website.