Speak Boldly

Due to sensitivity of information, at times military operations remain classified for years and years and the heroism and secret valor enacted by brave men and women in these operations goes unknown for decades.

In 1968, there was a declassification of secret military operations which had been used not just in World War 2, but had it’s origins in World War 1 — Native American code talkers.

Today we celebrate August 14 as Navajo Code Talkers day, and though there were hundreds of Navajo recruited to become code talkers, many other languages have been used in the fight for freedom and liberty in many theatres of war in the history of the United States.

These languages were spoken by Meskwaki, Mohawk, Comanche, Tlingit, Hopi, Cree and Crow soldiers during World War 2, as well as the pioneers of Native American code talking — the Cherokee and Choctaw — who operated during both World War 1 and 2.

Because of the complex nature of Native American languages, as well as the large number of variations and sub-dialects, the speakers of these these tongues proved exceptionally useful in the creations of codes which would be undecipherable to the enemy.

These brave individuals executed secret missions all around the world, saving countless lives and turning the tide of many battles. They risked their safety in order to trasmit extremely sensitive and vital information throughout the front lines, and their valor went unrecognized for many years.

Because of their spoken languages, learned as a result of participation and connection to their traditional Native American culture and society, these heroes played an instrumental part in American History. Our great country would not have been able to achieve its historically enormous military successes without their aid.

And though we can thank these brave soldiers for our freedom and liberty today, in the interest of national security, they lived unrecognized for decades. They decided to speak boldly, even if no one would know they had done so.

The Navajo code remains the only spoken military code in all of history never to have been deciphered. Today three code talkers are still alive. Peter MacDonald, John Kinsel Sr. and Thomas Begay. We thank them for their service and their ability to Speak Boldly.