The Navajo Code Talkers

I was reminded today of the story of the Navajo Code Talkers, those 400 or so Navajo Indians who served in the US Marines during World War 2 and by using secret Navajo language-encrypted military terms helped the U.S. prevail at Iwo Jima and in many other Pacific theatre battles. It is accepted that the the code which they transmitted verbally by radio, thus keeping mission details secret, helped save many American lives and bring the war to a speedier conclusion.

I believe that there are only about 50 of the Navajo Code Talkers left alive and that 13 of them are attending the US Veterans Day parade in New York today. If you'd like to find out more about this fascinating and little known aspect of the Second World War then you should visit their website. As the site says:

"At a time when America's best cryptographers were falling short, these modest sheepherders and farmers were able to fashion the most ingenious and successful code in military history. They drew upon their proud warrior tradition to brave the dense jungles of Guadalcanal and the exposed beachheads of Iwo Jima."