Marines TV

This episode of the Marine Time Machine is about the Navajo Code Talkers. As we observe Navajo Code Talkers Day, we remember these American heroes who created the only military code to never have been deciphered. The Marine Time Machine is a short video series that highlights different periods of Marine Corps history.

Navajo Code Talker Thomas Begay sings the Marine's Hymn in his native language, Navajo, at the 74th 5th Marine Division reunion on October 19, 2024, in San Antonio Texas. Thomas Begay is one of two remaining original Navajo Code Talkers that served during World War II. The Code Talkers played a pivotal role in the war by successfully coding over 800 messages and thwarting enemy interception.

U.S. Marine Corps GIF depicting an image from the National Archives of the Navajo Code Talkers created for Recruiting Station Phoenix, Arizona, Aug 14, 2023. Video created to commemorate Navajo Code Talkers Day. Audio is sampled from 'An Unbreakable Code' by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (U.S. Marine Corps video created by Cpl. Symira Bostic)

U.S. Marines gather to celebrate Navajo Code Talkers Day at Navajo Code Talker Memorial in Window Rock, Ariz., Aug., 13, 2022. Eighty years ago, the Marine Corps originally enlisted 29 Navajo men to develop a special code in which sensitive information was sent and deciphered during the battles of the Pacific in World War II. As the war went on, it is estimated that more than 400 Navajos were trained in the code. Six U.S. Marines who participated in this year's celebration are Navajo Nation members who had had never met each other before, but quickly found common ground through their shared military service and Navajo heritage. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Trystan Taft) The music within the following video production is copyright material used under license with HookSounds contract dated 1 Dec 2021.

The Navajo Code Talkers are an integral part of this nation’s history. 29 Navajo men initially selected by Marine Corps leadership, used their unique and complex native language to formulate a code that remained unbreakable to the enemy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fighting in almost every major battle, the approximate 400 Code Talkers were able to translate messages in as few as 20 seconds as opposed to the normal 30 minutes with existing code-breaking machines. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan designated August 14 as National ‘Navajo Code Talker Day’ to honor the dedication of all members of the Navajo Nation and all Native Americans who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Michael Slavin)

Navajo Code Talkers are, unique American heroes, revered every August 14th for their indecipherable language used to protect military communications during World War II. Navajo speakers Roy Hawthorne & Peter MacDonald describe the vital role and importance of protecting the code in the Battle of Iwo Jima and throughout the Pacific Regions. In Proclamation 4954, President Ronald Reagan designated August 14 as National ‘Navajo Code Talker Day’ to honor the dedication of all members of the Navajo Nation and all Native-Americans who gave their specialized talents and their lives so that others may live. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Kenny Gomez)

Thanks to the generosity of the Tsosie Family, the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is now home to a Navajo Code Talkers exhibit. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Kimberlyn Adams/Released)

Navajo Code Talkers, who originally trained at Camp Elliot, present day Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, contributed to the Marine Corps’ success in WWII. Col. Jason Woodworth, commanding officer of MCAS Miramar, reflects on their impact. (U.S Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Mark A. Lowe II/Released)