Warrior Native American Code Talker in WWII Osprey Books

Were it not for the Navajo Code Talkers the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima and other places (Anonymous, Marine Corps signal officer)Ed Gilbert uses personal interviews with veterans to offer a fascinating and full insight into the Navajo code talker in World War II. Beginning with the first use of Native American languages in World War I, when the AEF employed the Choctaw in France, where the Germans were never able to break their simple linguistic "code," he explores why in World War II the US decided to employ this subtle, but powerful 'weapon' again. Philip Johnston, who had grown up as the son of missionaries on the reservation, proposed the use of Navajo as a code. Navajo is an extremely complex language. In addition, the Marine Corps developed a "code within a code" by using certain Navajo words for military equipment, and introducing new slang terms. This added layer of security made the Marine communicators sound as if they were speaking gibberish even to other Navajo. Despite all efforts, the Japanese were never able to break the code. The Navajo code talkers were instrumental to the victories in the Pacific, with approximately 400 Navajo serving as code talkers. The legend of the 'code talker' has been immortalized in Hollywood films, such as "Windtalkers," and this book reveals the real-life story of their extraordinary contribution in World War II.