[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE REMAINING NAVAJO CODE TALKERS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. TERESA LEGER FERNANDEZ

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the last 
remaining Navajo Code Talkers. They are the definition of strength and 
honor in the face of adversity. To represent Navajo Nation in Congress 
is a privilege. It means representing a place where culture and values 
thrive from the heart.
  Eighty years ago, when our country needed heroes, 29 young Navajo men 
answered. As World War II raged on, they took their heart language of 
peace and harmony to create a single indigenous language code. Hundreds 
more Navajo men fought for our freedoms in the war as well. At Iwo Jima 
in particular, they encoded, transmitted, and decoded without error 
hundreds of messages. Their service was key to the Allied Victory in 
the Pacific Theater.
  Today, I am honored to share the stories of the three remaining Code 
Talkers:
  Thomas H. Begay, 94, is originally from Chichiltah, New Mexico and 
currently resides in Window Rock, Arizona. He enlisted at age 16 and 
served in the United States Marine Corps. Upon his original enlistment, 
Mr. Begay was unaware of the secret program for Navajo speakers. He 
served on six combat missions from 1943 to 1946. He was honorably 
discharged on July 23, 1946 after serving in the 5th Signal Company, 
5th Marine Division; 27th Marine Regiment, and 5th Marine Division.
  John Kinsel, Sr., 98, is from Lukachukai, Arizona and served in the 
United States Marine Corps. He enlisted at the age of 18 and was 
honorably discharged on January 1, 1946. Mr. Kinsel Sr. was awarded the 
purple heart on April 11, 1989, for wounds suffered in action at Iwo 
Jima on March 2, 1945. He also received the congressional silver medal 
in 2001 for his service as a Navajo Code Talker.
  Peter MacDonald, Sr., is from Teecnospos, Arizona and joined the 
United States Marine Corps at the age of 15. He served from 1944 to 
1946 in the 6th Marine Division. His service took him overseas to the 
South Pacific and North China. He also received the Congressional 
Silver Medal for his service. Beyond his military service, Mr. 
MacDonald served as Chairman of the Navajo Nation from 1971 to 1983 and 
1987 to 1991.
  Today, we offer our gratitude and admiration for these three 
remaining Navajo Code Talkers and their families. I have no doubt that 
the world as we know it would not be the same without them. Their 
stories remind us of our commitment to fight for our democracy. Because 
of them we all walk in freedom.

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