But then they translated each English word into Navajo." Beyond creating an alphabet using Navajo translations of English words, the code also included terms for military equipment.

The code stumped Japanese military cryptologists. The Code Talkers participated in all assaults the Marines led in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 and are credited with helping the U.S. win the war.

The Navajo developed two types of messages. In Type One Codes, a Navajo word was chosen to represent each letter in the English alphabet and the code talker would spell out the message in Navaho ...

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Samuel Sandoval, one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers who transmitted messages in World War II using a code based on their native language, has died.

The U.S. Marine Corps initially recruited 29 Navajo men to develop a code based on the unwritten Navajo language in World War II. Using Navajo words for red soil, war chief, clan, braided hair, beads, ...

Using Navajo words for red soil, war chief, clan, braided hair, beads, ant and hummingbird, for example, they came up with a glossary of more than 200 terms, later expanded, and an alphabet.

President Donald Trump meets with Navajo Code Talkers, Fleming Begaye Sr., seated and Thomas Begay, center, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Nov. 27, 2017. Credit: AP/Susan Walsh ...

Native American News Pentagon restores histories of Navajo Code Talkers, other Native veterans after public outcry Published: Mar. 21, 2025, 3:42 p.m.