The Navajo Nation and the United States lost a living legend with the passing of John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. Kinsel, who was 107 years old, passed away quietly at his home in Lukachukai, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation Reservation. He was among a select group of Navajo men who used their native language to transmit unbreakable codes that played a crucial role in the Allied victory over Japan. His death marks the end of an era that honored the unique contribution of Native Americans in one of history’s most significant military operations.
Kinsel’s passing was announced by Navajo Nation officials, and President Buu Nygren has ordered that all flags on the reservation be flown at half-staff until October 27 in honor of Kinsel’s remarkable life and his service to the country. “Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker,” Nygren said in a statement. “His service to the United States and the Navajo Nation will never be forgotten. He, along with his fellow Code Talkers, saved countless lives with their skill and bravery.”
With Kinsel’s passing, only two of the original Navajo Code Talkers remain: Peter MacDonald, a former Navajo Nation Chairman, and Thomas H. Begay. These men, like Kinsel, were part of an extraordinary group of Navajo Marines recruited during World War II for their linguistic abilities. These men were instrumental in securing the Allies’ victories in several critical battles in the Pacific theater, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, and Iwo Jima. Without their invaluable contribution, military historians argue, the outcome of these key battles could have been very different.
The Legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers
The story of the Navajo Code Talkers is a remarkable one, deeply rooted in both the tragic history of Native American oppression and the eventual recognition of their immense contributions to the war effort. In the early 20th century, Native Americans, including the Navajo, were often sent to government-run boarding schools where they were punished for speaking their native languages and forced to adopt English and American cultural norms. Ironically, during World War II, the very language that had once been targeted for erasure became a powerful tool for securing victory in one of the world’s most brutal conflicts.
The idea to use the Navajo language as a code originated with Philip Johnston, a World War I veteran and non-Navajo fluent in the language. Johnston, having grown up on a Navajo reservation as the son of a missionary, proposed to the U.S. Marine Corps that they use the complex and unwritten Navajo language to develop a code for transmitting military communications. The Marine Corps was intrigued by the idea, and after a successful pilot program, they began recruiting Navajo men in 1942.
The Code Talkers, officially known as the 382nd Platoon, underwent rigorous military training at Camp Elliott in San Diego. Their primary task was to develop a coded version of the Navajo language that could be used to transmit vital military communications, including troop movements, battle plans, and supply routes, without being intercepted by Japanese cryptographers. The Navajo language, with its unique syntax and grammar, was virtually indecipherable to non-Navajo speakers, and the Code Talkers created over 400 words and phrases to describe military concepts.
Their role in the Pacific campaign was critical. At the Battle of Iwo Jima, for example, Code Talkers transmitted more than 800 messages without error over a period of 48 hours. These messages helped U.S. forces coordinate their assault on the heavily fortified island, ultimately leading to one of the most iconic victories in the Pacific theater. Despite being under constant fire and in the midst of some of the bloodiest fighting in the war, the Code Talkers never faltered, ensuring that the lines of communication remained open and secure.
The Japanese military, which had broken every other American code, was never able to decipher the Navajo code. Military historians credit the Code Talkers with saving countless American lives and speeding up the end of the war. Despite their immense contribution, the Code Talkers’ work remained classified for decades after the war, and they returned home to little recognition.
John Kinsel Sr.: A Life of Service
Born in 1916 in Cove, Arizona, John Kinsel Sr. was raised in the remote Navajo community of Lukachukai, a region known for its rugged beauty and strong cultural traditions. Like many Navajo youth of his generation, Kinsel grew up speaking his native language, a skill that would later make him a critical asset to the U.S. military. When the U.S. entered World War II, Kinsel was one of the hundreds of young Navajo men who enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Kinsel was deployed to the Pacific theater and served with the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division. He participated in some of the fiercest battles of the war, including the pivotal Battle of Iwo Jima, where his work as a Code Talker proved instrumental in the success of the operation. Like his fellow Code Talkers, Kinsel carried out his duties with humility and bravery, often under intense fire and in life-threatening situations.
After the war, Kinsel returned to the Navajo Nation, where he resumed a quiet life, much like many of his fellow Code Talkers. For years, their contributions remained a closely guarded military secret, and it wasn’t until decades later that the Code Talkers were formally recognized for their service. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan declared August 14 as Navajo Code Talkers Day, a holiday that is now celebrated both on the Navajo Nation and across the state of Arizona.
In 2001, Kinsel and the other surviving Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the U.S. Congress. The recognition, though long overdue, was a moment of immense pride for Kinsel and his fellow Code Talkers. During the ceremony, Kinsel spoke humbly of his role in the war, emphasizing that he and his fellow Navajo Marines had simply been doing their duty to protect their homeland and their people.
The Importance of Recognition and Memory
As one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, John Kinsel Sr.’s passing represents not only the loss of an individual but also the fading of a living connection to a unique chapter of American history. His life, like those of the other Code Talkers, serves as a reminder of the vital role that Native Americans have played in the defense of the United States, often without receiving the recognition or respect they deserved.
In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve the memory of the Code Talkers and to educate future generations about their contributions. Museums, memorials, and educational programs have been established on the Navajo Nation and in other parts of the country to honor the legacy of these brave men. For many in the Navajo community, Kinsel’s passing underscores the importance of continuing to share the story of the Code Talkers with younger generations, ensuring that their contributions are never forgotten.
A Nation Mourns
As the Navajo Nation mourns the loss of John Kinsel Sr., the tributes pouring in from across the country reflect the deep respect and admiration for the Code Talkers and their unique contribution to the war effort. President Buu Nygren’s order to fly the Navajo Nation’s flags at half-staff is a poignant reminder of the heroism and sacrifice of Kinsel and his fellow Code Talkers.
Kinsel is survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, many of whom have spoken of his quiet dignity, his love for his family, and his pride in his service. “He was a hero to us, not just because of what he did during the war, but because of the way he lived his life,” said his grandson, Nathan Kinsel. “He was always humble, always kind, and always proud to be Navajo.”
As the Navajo Nation and the broader United States continue to honor Kinsel’s memory, his legacy as a Marine, a Code Talker, and a defender of his people and his country will undoubtedly live on. For generations to come, the story of John Kinsel Sr. and the Navajo Code Talkers will continue to inspire, reminding us all of the power of language, culture, and courage in the face of adversity.
