A lesser-known part of the history of World War II, the code talkers were an integral part of the Allied victory. Thank you for your service, sir. Via the New York Times:
John Kinsel Sr., a World War II veteran who was one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, a group of Marines whose encrypted wartime messages based on the Navajo language helped secure an Allied victory in the Pacific, died on Saturday. He was 107.
Buu Nygren, president of the Navajo Nation, announced Mr. Kinsel’s death in a post on social media. No cause was given.
An estimated 400 Navajo Code Talkers served during World War II, transmitting a code crafted from the Navajo language that U.S. forces used to confuse the Japanese and communicate troop movements, enemy positions and other critical battlefield information. Mr. Kinsel, who served from October 1942 to January 1946, was part of the second group of Marines trained as code talkers at Camp Elliott in California, after the original 29 who developed the code for wartime use.
The code was never broken. A fictionalized version of the codetalkers’ story was depicted in the film “Windtalkers,” directed by John Woo.
Yesterday morning a man you impacted my life forever has journeyed on. He was Cheii at first then over the years, we acknowledged each other as father/son. John Kinsel is a war chief who was a hero among many. His passing brought the first snow as he returned home. Love you dad. pic.twitter.com/JbQIQLC6S7
— Loren Anthony (@Loren_Anthony_) October 20, 2024
#RIP John Kinsel Sr. who passed away on Saturday at the age of 107. Kinsel was one of the last of the USMC’s Navajo Code Talkers who used the Diné language to develop an unbreakable code. He enlisted in 1942 and served with the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima. pic.twitter.com/djd8zdOVrC
— U.S. Naval Institute (@NavalInstitute) October 20, 2024
I am heartbroken to learn of the passing of our Navajo Code Talker, John Kinsel Sr.
He was a war hero who dedicated his life to serving our country and advocating for Indigenous rights. (1/2) https://t.co/P0VVSzCVU2
— Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (@RepTeresaLF) October 20, 2024
