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The Navajo Code Talkers Program was established in September 1942 as the result of a recommendation made the previous February by Mr. Philip Johnston to Major General Clayton P. Vogel, USMC., Commanding General, Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, headquartered at Camp Elliott, California. The Navajo code talkers Program was established in September 1942 as the result of a recommendation made the previous February by Mr. Phillip Johnston to Major General Clayton P. Vogel, USMC. Commanding General, Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, headquatered at Camp Elliott, California. More than half a century ago, hundreds of Navajo Indians served in the United States Marines, using their native language as the basis for an unbreakable military code used during wartime. The group of enlistees, known as the Navajo Code Talkers, trained to become skilled military radio operators and utilized the code that proved vital to U.S. victory during WWII. In May 1942, the first 29 Navajo recruits attended boot camp. Then, at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, this first group created the Navajo code. They developed a dictionary and numerous words for military terms. The dictionary and all code words had to be memorized during training. Although recruitment of the Navajos was comparatively slow at the time the program was first established, Marine recruiting teams were sent to the Navajo territory and a central recruiting office was set up at Fort Wingate. By August 1943 a total of 191 Navajos had joined the Marine Corps for this specific program. Estimates have placed the total number of Navajos in the code talker program variously between 375 and 420 individuals. It is known that many more Navajos volunteered to become code talkers than could be accepted; however, an undetermined number of other Navajos served as Marines, in the war, but not as code talkers. In recognition of their dedicated service to America during World War II, the Navajo code talkers were awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the United States in December 1981. Their unique achievements constitute a proud chapter in the history of the United States Marine Corps. Their patriotism, resourcefulness, and courage also have earned them the gratitude of all Americans.
http://bingaman.senate.gov/code_talkers/
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