Last Navajo 'Code Talker' who deceived Japan in World War II dies at 107
John Kinsell, the last of the Navajo code talkers who contributed to the Allied victory in the Pacific War with Navajo-based codes, died on October 19, 2024.
John Kinsel Sr., Navajo Code Talker in World War II, Dies at 107 - The New York Times
John Kinsel used his own language to fool the Japanese
https://www.economist.com/obituary/2024/12/05/john-kinsel-used-his-own-language-to-fool-the-japanese
'Our condolences go out to the family of Navajo Code Talker John Kinsell, 107 years old,' Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a Facebook post announcing Kinsell's death.
Kinsell, who served from October 1942 to January 1946, was one of the second group of Marines trained as code talkers, following the original 29 who developed the Navajo language code.
The first group called themselves the 'Windtalkers,' and their exploits were the subject of a fictional film, 'Windtalkers,' which was released in 2002.
Amazon.co.jp | Windtalkers [Blu-ray] DVD/Blu-ray - Nicolas Cage, Adam Beach, Christian Slater, John Woo
Japanese code breakers during World War II were said to have had excellent deciphering skills, but the Navajo language was nearly impossible to decipher because it had no written characters and was complex. Taking advantage of this, Navajo code talkers translated military terms into Navajo to communicate troop movements and enemy positions, such as 'potato' for grenade, 'frog' for amphibious vehicle, '
Kinsell also helped develop three codes. The first was 'turtles' for tanks, the second was 'bird carriers' for airplanes in general, and the third was 'rabbit trails' for routes, which Kinsell himself invented.
Japan was never able to decipher the Navajo code, and the Code Talkers made a significant contribution to the Allied victory in the Pacific War, but Kinsell didn't brag about it or talk much about it.
Kinsell was known to place more importance on being a member of his community, tribe, and the Marines than on his own achievements, and he is said to have used 'we' instead of 'I' when talking about his war experiences.
'As a Marine and Navajo Code Talker, Kinsel bore the utmost responsibility and served us all bravely and selflessly under the most terrifying circumstances,' said President Nygren. 'He fought alongside his fellow veterans, for the United States Marine Corps, for America, and to defend the Navajo Nation in time of war.'
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