08/16/2026
Indigenous peoples saved thousands of soldiers in World War II —
➖➖➖courtesy National Park Service
During World War II, Navajo Code Talkers transformed the Navajo language into an unbreakable code that helped U.S. forces communicate securely across the Pacific. Beginning in 1942, their specialized code, built from more than 600 terms, supported major operations from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima. After thousands of transmissions, the code was never deciphered by Japanese forces.
The Navajo Code Talkers were part of a larger legacy of Native American service and innovation during World War II. Members of other Tribal nations, including Lakota, Meskwaki, Mohawk, Comanche, Tlingit, Hopi, Cree, and Crow communities, also used their languages to support U.S. military communications in both the Pacific and European theaters.
For decades, the contributions of these Code Talkers remained classified. It wasn’t until 1968 that the world learned about their extraordinary service. Today, we honor their courage, ingenuity, and the enduring importance of language and culture.
From battlefields and historic sites to places connected to Native American heritage and military service, national parks help tell the stories of the people who shaped our shared history.
Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/navajo-code-talkers.htm
Image: Navajo Code Talkers Henry Bahe Jr. and George Kirk, December 1943/U.S. Marine Corps, Department of the Navy
