"Despite punishment for speaking their own language in government boarding schools and not having voting rights in their own states, approximately 400 Americans became their nation’s secret weapon during World War II – the Navajo Code Talkers.

Today, most people in the United States have heard about code talkers in passing conversations, but few have looked into the history of the code talkers.

“It’s important to know this piece of history because it had such a profound impact on World War II and it’s something we can all be proud of,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 John Hawthorne, who has researched the Navajo Code Talkers’ training at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. “[American Indians] are just one of those pieces that make up the American mosaic. It’s not just their history – it’s my history – it’s American history.”"

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America's secret weapon: Navajo Code Talkers (DVIDS 11/4)