Transcript Code Talkers

World War II
During WWII the primary method of communication
was the Radio.
The problem with radios was that anyone with a
radio receiver could tune into your frequency
and listen to what you are saying.
Sensitive information had to be encrypted (coded),
transmitted, and then decrypted (decoded) in
order to be used. This process took a lot of time
and slowed the communication process.
World War II
During WWII one of the greatest weapons the
Japanese had was their Cryptologists.
(communication encrypters and
decrypters)
The Japanese were experts at breaking
encryption codes.
They would use our communications to plan
their strategy.
But then the US Marine Corps discovered their own Secret Weapon
As the Marines conducted
their Island Hopping
Campaign on their way
to Japan, they had an
un-breakable code
which provided
communication
security.
The Navajo code allowed the Marines to
communicate sensitive information
with security preventing the
Japanese from knowing
our attack plans
Navajo was a “Hidden Language”
It had no written
form or symbols
It was only spoken in the
Navajo Nation in the
American Southwest
It was impossible for
adults to learn
USMC discovers the Navajo language
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Phillip Johnston grew up on a Navajo
Reservation as the son of a missionary.
He presented a practical demonstration
to the USMC.
The Marine Corps authorized the
recruitment of 200 Navajos to be
trained and used as communicators in
the Pacific.
First they were sent to San Diego for Boot Camp and
then to the Field Signal Battalion Training Center
at Camp Pendleton California.
Requirements:
Fluent in Navajo language,
Fluent in English language,
Learn the Navajo Military Code
They were
taught basic
military
communications
and then a
Navajo double
coded system
The written code
could not be
carried into
combat for fear
of it falling into
the enemy’s
hands and being
used to decrypt
our messages.
The entire code
had to be
memorized.
After their training was complete the Marine Code
Talkers were assigned to combat units in the Pacific
About 400 Navajos qualified and served in the
Marine Signal Corps in the Pacific during WWII
Navajo Code Talkers participated in every Marine
assault in the Pacific during WWII
They faced the
usual hazards of
combat life and
they had an
additional
hazard in
combat:
Being mistaken
for the enemy
impersonating
Marines
Among the Navajo Code Talkers is a strong sense
of Esprit de Corps. They have a heritage of
Service & Loyalty
This Marine Secret Weapon was kept a secret
from the public for 25 years after WWII
Their Patriotism, Resourcefulness, and Courage
earned them the gratitude of all Americans
In 2001 the President of the United States declared
August 14 national Navajo Code Talker Day