WINDOW ROCK, AZ — A Navajo Code Talker who used his native language to outsmart the Japanese in World War II has died in New Mexico at age 94.
Navajo Nation officials say Alfred K. Newman died Sunday at a nursing home in Bloomfield.
Newman was among hundreds of Navajos who served in the Marine Corps, using a code based on their native language to outsmart the Japanese in World War II.
"On the battlefields of the Pacific Theater, our language proved unbreakable," said Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye. "It was critical in protecting the lives of American soldiers, and to the success of the United States in World War II."
During World War II, Newman served from 1943-45 in the 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment and 3rd Marine Division and saw duty at Bougainville Island, Guam, Iwo Jima, Kwajalein Atoll, Enewetak Atoll, New Georgia and New Caledonia.
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Alfred K Newman Navajo Code Talker - RIP
GSPatton
California, United States
Member Since: September 04, 2002
entire network: 1,411 Posts
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Member Since: September 04, 2002
entire network: 1,411 Posts
KitMaker Network: 785 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 02:40 AM UTC
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 09:20 AM UTC
It is sad that with WW1 no longer in living memory we are now losing our WW2 veterans at an ever increasing rate.
RobinNilsson
Director of Member Services
Stockholm, Sweden
Member Since: November 29, 2006
entire network: 6,693 Posts
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Member Since: November 29, 2006
entire network: 6,693 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,042 Posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2019 - 10:46 AM UTC
Time goes on. Those who were young men back in 1939 are now beginning to hit 100. Most of them are already gone, my dad left us over 15 years ago, two weeks before my first child was born ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBPSr4TsQkI
Mark Knopfler sings
/ Robin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBPSr4TsQkI
Mark Knopfler sings
/ Robin