“The Weaponry of the Code”

  • Published
  • By Chap. (Capt.) Jason Raines
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Chapel
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Native Americans have a long tradition of being a part of our nation's military. Since the war of 1812, Native Americans have played a vital role in military victory.

As a part of this month's education on Native American culture, it is important to recognize their efforts in achieving Allied Victory in World War II. During the war, the Japanese were able to decipher all American efforts at secret communications.

With the help of Philip Johnston, the U.S. Military adopted the idea to use Navajo Indians to communicate in the war using their native tongue. This was decisive in keeping communication secure in World War II.

Despite increasing technology and academic education, the complexities of the Native American language kept the Japanese at bay and unsuccessful in breaking the code throughout the war. It is so complex that only few non-native speaking Navajo's understood the language. Like many languages, Navajo uses complicated syntax and inflection that are different across tribes.

However, in spite of its intricacies, the Navajo "Codetalkers" could perform a translation 90 times faster than any modern machinery known to man at that time.

The Codetalkers were crucial in the battle for Iwo Jima, sending over 800 messages error free - none of which were successfully intercepted and interpreted by the Japanese. The Japanese were able to decipher codes used by the Army and the Army Air Corps, but not the code used by the Marine Corps.

These "Codetalkers" saved the lives of Americans and were vital to the outcome of the war. Their skill, heroism, and valor, although only recently recognized, should always have a place of honor in American History.