Under the Eagle: Samuel Holiday, Navajo Code Talker

by Samuel Holiday, Robert S. McPherson

Samuel Holiday was one of a small group of Navajo men enlisted by the Marine Corps during World War II to use their native language to transmit secret communications on the battlefield. Based on extensive interviews with Robert S. McPherson, Under the Eagle is Holiday’s vivid account of his own story. It is the only book-length oral history of a Navajo code talker in which the narrator relates his experiences in his own voice and words. Under the Eagle carries the reader from Holiday’s childhood years in rural Monument Valley, Utah, into the world of the United States’s Pacific campaign against Japan—to such places as Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Central to Holiday’s story is his Navajo worldview, which shapes how he views his upbringing in Utah, his time at an Indian boarding school, and his experiences during World War II. Holiday’s story, coupled with historical and cultural commentary by McPherson, shows how traditional Navajo practices gave strength and healing to soldiers facing danger and hardship and to veterans during their difficult readjustment to life after the war. The Navajo code talkers have become famous in recent years through books and movies that have dramatized their remarkable story. Their wartime achievements are also a source of national pride for the Navajos. And yet, as McPherson explains, Holiday’s own experience was “as much mental and spiritual as it was physical.” This decorated marine served “under the eagle” not only as a soldier but also as a Navajo man deeply aware of his cultural obligations.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, World War II, Memoir

280 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2013

Reviews

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for an online course I am taking, but if I had seen it in a bookstore I would have purchased it to read it. I enjoyed this book. While it is about Mr. Holiday's life, it mostly focuses on his experiences growing up in a single-parent home (he did not meet his father until practically an adult) and then joining the U.S. Marines to be a part of their Navajo Code Talker program and serving in some of the island campaigns before WWII ended. It also shares various Navajo stories (legends) on creation and why life turned out the way it did. It is interesting that each chapter begins with various Navajo stories that tie into the events of each chapter. Each chapter ends with a "commentary" that expands on what was shared by Mr. Holiday by sharing additional information to build upon what Mr. Holiday shared or by sharing the experiences of other Navajo Marines during WWII.

There are some interesting discussions on the power of words, that "Navajo language reaches its greatest power in ritual and ceremony. Through prayer and song, thought becomes concrete, the creation of the world and the control of power are exercised, and order is achieved" (72). Language is quite powerful; words are quite powerful, as is their use, abuse, or misuse. "Reality is a mirror of language. . . It commands, compels, organizes, transforms, and restores. It disperses evil, reverses disorder, neutralizes pain, overcomes fear, eliminates illnesses, relieves anxiety, and restores order, health, and well-being. Conversely, language when used or directed with evil intent can create chaos and ugliness" (72). The way one uses language is believed to provide a person with power, and this power is seen as being at the foundation of both good and evil. Language is seen as being so powerful that it holds the power of life and death in it.

There are other interesting perspectives scattered throughout the book as well. One other thing that really stood out to me was how spiritual the Navajo were (and probably still are), and how important prayers and ceremonies are to them. It does not matter if the Navajos involved are Christian or not; Christian Navajos are encouraged to include their prayers in various ceremonies (especially when men from the tribe were going off to war). Some of the answers to prayer, be it at war or back home after the war, are truly amazing to read about.

I had seen the movie Windtalkers when it came out, which was about my level of introduction and initial familiarity to the Navajo Code Talkers. I have since read some magazine articles about them and what they did. This is first book I have read about their experiences. The author shares "positive moments" as well as moments of insight from his life growing up. He also shares hard moments, such as the times he was misidentified as being a Japanese soldier by other American Marines and nearly being killed because of it. He and his fellow Marines were misidentified many times, but the book says that no Code Talker was ever killed by accident by an American Marine due to misidentification as an enemy soldier, so that was good.

He did not harbor any ill-will towards the Japanese soldiers; he respected them, overall, and came to respect the Japanese people in general. Perhaps if he had experienced torture and abuse like other soldiers and civilians did, he would have a different opinion. In any case, his encounters with some Japanese civilians and former soldiers helped bring some healing into his life and some closure to some of his memories of the War and how he was treated returning home. It is a pretty sad and pathetic indictment against this country about how poorly Native American and Black soldiers were treated after risking their lives in battle and still treated like second-class citizens or worse upon returning home after the War.

The author gives quite a bit of credit to God and Jesus throughout the book (which makes sense, considering how often he says he serves both), but it is also quite clear that he has blended his traditional Navajo beliefs with Christianity, which makes for some interesting interpretations of different moments in the Bible (especially the New Testament and the four Gospels).

I also thought it was interesting how the eagle is such an important animal/bird to the Navajo people. I would say that it is their most important and most sacred animal after reading this book; there are various tales told involving the eagle and its special place in Navajo society and beliefs. It was also interesting to read this for two other reason: (1) the eagle is important to other tribes as well, in terms of its place in the animal hierarchy and being "a sacred animal," and (2) the eagle is also the "national animal" for the United States. I have read where some have tied two references to an eagle (or eagle's wings) mentioned in the Book of Revelation with the United States of America, saying that here is where the U.S. of A is ID'd in Scripture (because of the association involving the eagle). It is an interesting thought (point) to ponder.

In any case, it was an interesting book about a member of a group of brave men who risked their lives for U.S. Marines and to help ensure a "quicker end" to the War in the Pacific. I am glad that I read this book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The notes provided at the back of the book had more background information. Instead of interrupting the flow of the main text by looking up each notation, I chose to read them all at the end. Suggestions for further reading based on the bibliography was also worthwhile.
A Google search found a GoFundMe for Mr. Holiday to support his current health needs, and I was shocked that a military hero such as this was not being cared for adequately in his twilight years. Shameful.
There is one part of Mr. Holiday's story that truly broke my heart. It was on page 166 (UOP, 2013), and while Mr. Holiday mused graciously about the reasons that racially motivated the group's leader to put Code Talkers in harm's way, I believe the intent was inherently malicious. After all, if the military brass wanted to keep the Code Talker program secret, it would have been very convenient for Navajos NOT to survive once the war was coming to an end. It isn't rocket science to figure out the orders from above.

[Hannah Chaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to preface this with the fact that i had to read this for a class. that being said i don’t think it’s something i would have picked to read on my own, none the less it was really really good! i loved reading Mr Holiday’s story and about his experience in World War 2 as a Navajo Code Talker. going into this I knew very very little about Navajo Code Talkers as a whole so i was able to learn a lot which is super rewarding. the only thing that makes me dock this book down 2 stars is McPherson’s commentary. this isn’t to say it’s useless commentary, i just found a lot of it to be very distracting and repetitive. overall if someone were to ask for a book on this topic i would recommend this but skip the commentary. however, at the very beginning of each chapter there is a Native American creation story told and that does really help tie together the themes of the book as well as the importance of Native religion and culture throughout Holiday’s life all the way from when he was a little kid, to a Code Talker on the front lines of Iwo Jima, to his post war life at home. I really appreciated those.

[pearl_seeker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely interesting book about Samuel Holiday's life. More than just the story of the Navajo Code Talkers of WWII, this book combines Mr. Holiday's experiences as a US Marine & Code Talker with the traditions and mythologies of the Navajo people. Mr. Holiday was raised as a traditional Navajo and did not attend boarding school until 12yo. His knowledge of the Navajo myths, legends, teachings, medicines, beliefs, ways is far-reaching and the book treats both his native beliefs and his Christian beliefs with equal respect. His information on traditional ways as they relate to everyday life and as special spiritual assistance in times of stress is fascinating!

I highly recommend this book!

[Petri Launiainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my eye when I read the news about the passing away of Samuel Holiday.

After having studied the Code Talkers for my book, this was a great in terms of first-hand experiences and more in-depth background information regarding the context in which these Code Talkers worked at the time.

It also had a relatively wide perspective of the actual Navajo culture in general, building a complete picture of the personalities engaging in this amazing part of military history.

[Gnuehc Ecnerwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating life story that is off-the-radar of the mainstream culture.

I particularly like the format chosen by co-author Robert McPherson. Each chapter contains a traditional story that highlights various beliefs of the Navajos, followed by description of actual event experienced by co-author Samuel Holiday during WWII, and ends with commentaries by McPherson to help the readers connect how the first two parts are linked, and how they affected each other.

A video interview of Samuel Holiday: https://guides.loc.gov/navajo-code-ta...

[Grazyna Nawrocka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was an amazing experience. Power that Samuel gives to language, words and faith is very impressive. Applying his religion to everyday life makes him a man of integrity. I enjoyed exploring this unique fusion of both religions (Christian and Native). It's a good book and I enjoyed reading it.

[Barbara Hudgell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I have read about the code Talkers. By combining the story told by one code talker with the Navajo traditional culture it gives an understanding that is richer and more complex than others.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved reading Samuel’s parts. It was almost like listening to him talk. The commentary parts were too repetitious. Thank you to all the Navajo code talkers

[Tracy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly true story of a navajo code talker. Very informative and inspiring. There were a lot of details and story lines to follow. At times it seemed slow and in need of cross referencing in order to fully understand the dialogue. I'd recommend it because it is a story that needs to be told and brings a better understanding and appreciation for the navajo culture and Samuel Holiday and all he and so many others did for our country.

[Andy Plonka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of the work of Navajo code talkers by a man who was part of that elite group during WWII. Interspersed with his account are some observations Robert McPherson who has studied Navajo culture. McPherson explains some of the rituals and religion of the Navajo as it relates to Holiday's recall of his experiences.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for book group. I thought it was it was handled very well and a great, fascinating read. It will be interesting to see what the others think. I didn't realize that the Navajo's were often mistaken for the enemy. That was a real eye-opener for me. These men deserve all the attention they get plus more and lots of honor.

[Sally]

Added to list because Joseph Bruchac noted it "should be on everyone's must-read list."