[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 208 (Wednesday, December 20, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H10333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING TWO NAVAJO CODE TALKERS
(Mr. BIGGS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. BIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of two Navajo
Code Talkers, George B. Willie Sr. and Teddy Draper Sr., who recently
both passed away in my home State of Arizona.
While both young men, Mr. Willie and Mr. Draper enlisted in the U.S.
Marine Corps and valiantly served in World War II in the Battles of
Okinawa and Iwo Jima.
The Navajo Code Talkers used the Navajo language to transmit and
receive messages that could not be translated or intercepted by the
Japanese. This unique skill was a great advantage for the United
States' victory in the Pacific theater.
In 2001, both Mr. Willie and Mr. Draper were awarded the
Congressional Silver Medal for their service and selfless devotion to
duty. The sacrifices of Mr. Willie and Mr. Draper and their families
during World War II will be remembered for generations. We will be
forever grateful for their dedication to our Nation.
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