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Jed Boal ReportingThe Navajo language was the secret code the Japanese could not crack during World War II. One of two surviving code talkers shared his story with military intelligence soldiers today at the Utah National Guard.
Navajo is the language that baffled the Japanese in World War II. They intercepted Allied transmissions, but could never break the code. The Japanese were up against the now-famous Navajo code talkers.
Daniel Hudson, Lt. Col. Retired: "They were credited with significant contributions and saving many lives."
Allen Dale June was one of 29 original code talkers who served as Marines in the Pacific. June and his wife shared his experiences with members of the 300th Military Intelligence Brigade.
Unwritten and unknown, the Navajo tongue proved unbreakable.
Virginia June, Code Talker's Wife: "Glottal stops and nasal sounds. You have to say it exactly right, otherwise you're saying something totally different. That's what's unique about the Navajo language."
June and the other Navajo code talkers were involved in every US Marine assault in the Pacific from 1942 to 45, including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima.
Daniel Hudson, Lt. Col. Retired: "The Navajos transmitted eight hundred messages at Iwo Jima without error."
For 23 years the code was classified as top secret, the contributions of the Navajo unknown.
Like other American Marines, June enlisted to protect his home.
Virginia June: "Saving the sacred land that generations had come through."
In 2001, the President honored the code talkers with the Congressional Gold medal, the highest civilian honor.
