It all started with an overheard conversation. No, really – Native American “code talkers” were developed in WWI when a group of Choctaw men were overheard talking in their native tongue. The Choctaw Nation had been forced to learn English, but Americans had sparsely learned their language or that of the many other Native Languages spoken in North America. American radio transmissions were routinely intercepted and decrypted during battle, leaving them defenseless in many cases. So, when an officer overheard these men conversing in a language no one else on the battlefield knew, he had an idea of how to protect their operational secrets. These men went on to create a true code – not just translate English to Choctaw – with words and phrases to represent more modern terms their language did not possess.
At the start of WWII, the American Government specifically enlisted men from several tribes to become code talkers for the Allies. Learning from the Choctaw’s improvisation, Hopi, Comanche, Chippewa, and Navajo Code Talkers developed the use of coded terms to represent military strategy and equipment. Where the Choctaw improvised around two dozen words, the Navajo men had well over 200 and became the most verbose and widely used code talkers in the war.
While today is Navajo Code Talkers’ Day, that does not mean the American Government has forgotten about the sacrifices and valor of the other Nations. The Navajo men gained fame through their prolific representation in books and movies in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, prompting Congress to regonize their efforts. In 2013 another ceremony was held that acknowledged the work of all 33 Nations with Code Talkers in battle.
For over 200 years, the American Government had been oppressing and victimizing the Nations whose men helped save lives in battle. From forced relocations and land grabs, to forced anglicization of language and dress, our government has done everything it can to eliminate their culture and their history. Many of these Code Talkers attended boarding schools where their hair was cut (often a symbol of status or connection to religion for the Tribes), they were forced to wear different clothing and punished severely if they spoke their native tongue. But when war came calling, the government went straight to these schools to enlist boys to fight. While this is a small drop in the pond of American Government ill will towards these Nations, the ripple effect of being recognized reached far and brought new honor to these great warriors.
If you are looking to learn more about the Navajo Code Talkers, check out these great books:
- Code Talker, Joseph Bruchac (full review here)
- Winds of Freedom, Margaret T Bixler
- Unsung Heros of World War II, Deanne Durrett
- Code Talkers: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers, Chester Nez
If you are interested in learning more about the Choctaw efforts in WWI, check out this book:
- Anumpa Warrior, Sarah Elizabeth Sawyer
I haven’t been able to find any books specifically about the other 30 Nations and their warrior Code Talkers. If you have any suggestions, please drop them in the comments.
Disclaimer: I have used the words Tribe and Nation throughout this article interchangeably. I write with utmost respect and honor for the sacrifices and tribulations of these groups and hope that my use of terms reflects that. If I have made a misstep with my choices, I am always open to learning.
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