Honoring Native American Code Talkers: Unsung Heroes of American Military History

As Veterans Day approaches, we pay tribute to a group of remarkable yet often unrecognized heroes: Native American code talkers. These brave men used their languages to create codes that would baffle enemy forces and safeguard American military strategies. Their skill and courage saved countless lives and changed the course of both World Wars, making their contributions a lasting testament to patriotism and valor.

Native Americans have served with honor in every major U.S. conflict, frequently facing hardship, discrimination, and lack of recognition. Yet, during World War I and World War II, they were called upon not just as soldiers but as vital protectors of military intelligence. In a time before modern encryption, Native American languages provided an invaluable, unbreakable code, a lifeline for the Allied forces that enemy forces were never able to decipher.

The concept of using Native languages for secure communication began during World War I with the Choctaw Nation. In 1918, members of the U.S. Army’s 36th Infantry Division utilized Choctaw language to transmit secure messages on the Western Front. These first code talkers made a decisive difference, allowing American forces to coordinate attacks that led to significant victories. Their success laid the groundwork for future code talkers and set a standard for creative wartime strategy.

During World War II, the Navajo code talkers became the most well-known contributors to this legacy. The Navajo language, unwritten and unfamiliar to most outsiders, was adapted by the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater. These code talkers devised unique terms for military operations and equipment—such as “turtle” for tank—that allowed them to communicate critical information quickly and securely. Their contributions were essential in major battles, including the brutal fight for Iwo Jima, where their unbreakable code ensured operational success.

But the Navajo weren’t alone. In the European Theater, the Comanche code talkers played a similar role for the U.S. Army. Thirteen Comanche men developed a code based on their language and played a pivotal role in the D-Day invasion and other critical operations in Normandy. Like the Navajo code, their communications remained secure and provided the Allies with a unique advantage over Axis forces.

Other tribes, such as the Cherokee and Sioux, also served as code talkers during both World Wars, primarily in the Pacific. The Meskwaki people from Iowa served in North Africa, contributing their unique language to Allied efforts against Axis forces there. Despite differences in language and region, these Native American code talkers shared an unwavering commitment to protecting American lives and ensuring the success of their missions.

Native Americans have served at higher rates per capita than any other ethnic group in U.S. history. Over 12,000 Native Americans served in World War I, often without even the recognition of U.S. citizenship, which was granted only in 1924. In World War II, more than 44,000 Native Americans served, and the legacy of their contributions endures through every major conflict, from Korea and Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.

For decades, the contributions of Native American code talkers remained classified, and their vital role in the war effort was largely unknown. It wasn’t until later that their story emerged, revealing a legacy of bravery, resilience, and selfless dedication to their country. Code talkers from other tribes, including the Lakota, Dakota, Hopi, and Oneida, also answered the call to serve, lending their languages to the preservation of American security.

Today, nearly 31,000 Native American men and women continue to serve in the U.S. military, carrying forward a legacy of courage that’s deeply interwoven with both Native American heritage and American military history. As we honor veterans on this day, let us especially remember and celebrate the courage, skill, and patriotism of Native American code talkers. They stood in the face of adversity, protected their comrades, and became silent heroes in the story of American freedom.