In a poignant moment for the Navajo Nation and the United States, Chester Nez, the last surviving member of the original group of Navajo Code Talkers, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the age of 93. His death marked the end of an era, a powerful reminder of the extraordinary contributions made by these Native American Marines during World War II. Nez’s story is one of linguistic resilience, unwavering patriotism, and a crucial role in securing Allied victories in the Pacific theater. His legacy serves as an enduring testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the Last Navajo Code Talker.
Before the ranks of Navajo Code Talkers swelled to hundreds, Chester Nez and 28 other young Navajo men were handpicked for a top-secret mission. Their objective: to develop an unbreakable code based on their native language, a language that, ironically, Nez had once been punished for speaking in school. The language that was once suppressed became his most potent weapon in a time of global conflict.
Born in Two Wells, New Mexico, on the eastern edge of the vast Navajo Nation, Chester Nez’s early life was immersed in the rich cultural tapestry of his heritage. Navajo was his first and only language, the language of his family, his community, and his traditions. However, this linguistic foundation would soon be challenged. Like many Native American children of his generation, Nez was sent to a boarding school, where assimilation was the unspoken, yet forcefully implemented, agenda. There, English was the language of instruction, and the use of Navajo was strictly forbidden. Nez, like many others, experienced the sting of punishment for speaking his native tongue, a cruel irony considering the critical role that language would later play in the nation’s defense. He recounted instances where his mouth was washed out with soap, a harsh and humiliating experience designed to eradicate his cultural identity. Despite these hardships, Nez never forgot his language, holding onto it as a cherished part of himself.
The seeds of change were sown when a Marine recruiter arrived, seeking young Navajos fluent in both Navajo and English. World War II was raging, and the U.S. military desperately needed a secure communication method to outmaneuver the Japanese forces, renowned for their code-breaking prowess. Nez, then a tenth-grader, was immediately drawn to the opportunity, particularly, as he recalled, by the allure of the Marine dress uniforms. He and his roommate decided to "try it out," a decision that would forever alter the course of his life and the history of the war. Lying about his age, he enlisted, unaware that he was about to become part of a highly classified and remarkably effective unit.
Out of approximately 250 Navajos who showed up at Fort Defiance, then a U.S. Army base, only 29 were selected to form the initial cadre of Code Talkers. These men were inducted into the Marine Corps in May 1942 and designated as the 382nd Platoon, tasked with the daunting challenge of creating a complex and unbreakable code. Confined to a room for 13 weeks, the 29 men worked tirelessly. They drew upon the intricacies of the unwritten Navajo language, a language so complex and unfamiliar to outsiders that it presented a formidable barrier to any potential codebreakers.
The initial glossary comprised over 200 terms, ingeniously using Navajo words to represent military terms and concepts. For example, the Navajo word for "red soil" might represent "Japan," while "war chief" could stand for "commander." Common Navajo words were assigned specific military meanings, adding layers of complexity to the code. They also devised the first Navajo alphabet. The men weren’t simply translating; they were creating a new language within a language, a dynamic and evolving system that was virtually impossible for the enemy to decipher. Nez himself admitted to initially harboring doubts about the code’s effectiveness, knowing the Japanese were highly skilled in codebreaking.
The strength of the Navajo code lay in its inherent obscurity. Few non-Navajos spoke the language, and even those who did would have been baffled by the code’s unique structure and military applications. It proved to be utterly impenetrable. The Code Talkers, meticulously trained in radio communications, became walking, talking encryption devices. Each message transmitted was immediately destroyed after being read, ensuring that no written record of the code existed. The Last Navajo Code Talker and his fellow Marines became vital assets in the Pacific theater.
The Code Talkers participated in every major Marine assault in the Pacific, from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima. They transmitted thousands of messages, relaying critical information about Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics, and supply lines, all without a single error. Their speed and accuracy were unmatched, allowing for swift and decisive action on the battlefield. Commanders marveled at their ability to transmit messages that would have taken hours to encode and decode using traditional methods. The Navajo code significantly reduced communication times, often making the difference between life and death for American troops.
Despite their invaluable service, the Navajo Code Talkers faced discrimination and prejudice. At the time, Navajos weren’t even allowed to vote in many states. On one occasion, while running a message, Nez and his partner were mistaken for Japanese soldiers and threatened at gunpoint by fellow Marines until a lieutenant intervened to clear up the confusion. He was forbidden from revealing his role as a Code Talker, highlighting the secrecy surrounding their mission. The irony of fighting for a country that denied them basic rights was not lost on these men, but they remained steadfast in their commitment to serving the United States.
After World War II, Nez volunteered to serve for two more years during the Korean War, continuing to utilize his linguistic skills and unwavering dedication. His service remained shrouded in secrecy for many years. For decades, Nez’s family and friends knew only that he had fought the Japanese during World War II. He longed to share the details of his role as a Code Talker but was bound by the constraints of national security. The mission wasn’t declassified until 1968, allowing the Code Talkers to finally receive the recognition they deserved.
The accolades came much later in life. In 2001, the original group of Navajo Code Talkers received Congressional Gold Medals, a long-overdue acknowledgment of their extraordinary contributions. Nez often joked about pawning his medal, a testament to his humble nature and his ability to find humor even in the face of hardship. In the years following the declassification, the Code Talkers became symbols of Native American valor and ingenuity. They appeared on television, participated in parades, and were frequently invited to speak to veterans’ groups and students, sharing their stories and inspiring future generations. In 2004, Nez threw the opening pitch at a Major League Baseball game and offered a blessing for the presidential campaign of John Kerry, further solidifying his place in the national spotlight. The Last Navajo Code Talker was finally receiving the recognition he deserved.
In 2012, at the age of 91, Mr. Nez finally achieved a long-held personal goal, receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas. Decades earlier, he had been forced to abandon his studies in fine arts after tuition assistance for his military service ran out. His dedication to education and his unwavering perseverance served as an inspiration to many.
Chester Nez also offered his perspective on the 2002 film "Windtalkers," a movie based on the story of the Navajo Code Talkers. He estimated the film’s accuracy at 78 percent and noted that the Navajo spoken by actor Adam Beach was sometimes difficult to understand, but acknowledged that "he tried his best." Nez’s perspective provided valuable insight into the challenges of accurately portraying the complexities of the Navajo language and culture on the big screen.
He retired in 1974 after a 25-year career as a painter at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Albuquerque, using his artistic talents to create works that honored his Navajo heritage. His artwork, featuring depictions of 12 Navajo holy people, was proudly displayed at the hospital, providing solace and inspiration to patients and staff alike.
Despite having both legs partially amputated and being confined to a wheelchair in his later years, Nez remained dedicated to sharing his story and preserving the Navajo language. He never tired of highlighting his pride in serving his country and stressing the importance of maintaining cultural identity. According to Judy Avila, who helped Nez write his memoirs, he loved to travel and speak about his experiences, despite the physical challenges he faced.
The passing of Chester Nez marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the indelible mark he left on American history. U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, of New Mexico, praised Nez for his bravery and service to the United States in a joint statement, emphasizing his love for his culture and his country. "He loved his culture and his country, and when called, he fought to protect both," Udall said. "And because of his service, we enjoy freedoms that have stood the test of time."
The Navajo Nation honored Nez by lowering flags across the reservation from sunrise Thursday to sunset Sunday, a fitting tribute to a man who had dedicated his life to serving his people and his nation. Ben Shelly, President of the Navajo Nation, ordered the flags to be lowered. A public viewing was held in Albuquerque, followed by a Mass and burial at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Last Navajo Code Talker was laid to rest with the honors he so richly deserved.
The Navajo Code Talkers are celebrated annually on the Navajo Nation with a tribal holiday, a testament to their enduring legacy and their profound impact on the course of history. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural preservation, linguistic diversity, and the unwavering courage of those who serve their country, even in the face of adversity. The story of the Last Navajo Code Talker, Chester Nez, will continue to inspire generations to come.