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Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers
The Navajo language-notoriously difficult to translate under the best circumstances-proved an ideal top-secret medium for confounding the Japanese in World War II and transmitting combat intelligence quickly and accurately. It was the only code that the Japanese were never able to crack. Using first-person accounts, correspondence and Marine Corps documents, this remarkable story tells how Navajo code talkers worked together to create a unique ""code-within-a-code,"" and serve their country in dangerous combat situations-a daring achievement that remained secret for twenty-four years.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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June 6, 2018
Good book about the Code Talkers from their point of view. My husband and I had the privilege of meeting one of the Code Talkers and purchasing our copy of this book from him.
January 10, 2014
This is a documentary narrative, but very interesting and well written. It chronicles the history of the use of Indian native language to create a nun breakable code for sending messages during the battles fought on the Pacific front in WWII. It traces the roots of this very successful life- saving practice back to WWI days. It shows the development and expansion for critical missions on all the islands in the Pacific the US advanced on and recaptured after Pearl Harbor. That's how the book was organized. After the recruitment, training and code development of the first select Indian group, the rest of the story unfolds trough description of the battles waged and won. It discussed the specific rolled played by the actual Indian code-talkers throughout the advance. The descriptions were very visual and personal because of the authors' use of primary source interviews and documents.
The result is a work that reveals the great contribution of this particular group and reveals the nature of their culture, creativity and dedication. I loved reading every page. Also included is a wonderful appendix full of vocabulary, source lists and photos. I bought this book at the Painted Desert gift shop in New Mexico...it should be in classrooms.
The result is a work that reveals the great contribution of this particular group and reveals the nature of their culture, creativity and dedication. I loved reading every page. Also included is a wonderful appendix full of vocabulary, source lists and photos. I bought this book at the Painted Desert gift shop in New Mexico...it should be in classrooms.
May 7, 2020
"America" = "Ne-he-mah" = "Our Mother"
Through a code developed using the Navajo language, the Code Talkers - specially trained Navajo Marines - provided critical communications in the Pacific Theater during World War 2.
Ms. McClain relates their story from the original idea, creating the code, using it during several key battles, and their return home. Plus, she shares how they were finally recognized 24 years after the war ended.
Through a code developed using the Navajo language, the Code Talkers - specially trained Navajo Marines - provided critical communications in the Pacific Theater during World War 2.
Ms. McClain relates their story from the original idea, creating the code, using it during several key battles, and their return home. Plus, she shares how they were finally recognized 24 years after the war ended.
June 3, 2022
This was an excellent book about the Navajo Code Talkers during WWII. I had travelled to the Navajo nation many times, and I met some of these people and their children. There may have been a personal involvement. The book is well written, and it is good reading about the Navajo contribution to the victory in WWII.
September 9, 2025
Pretty good book but I would have liked to see even more detail and any conflicts they had with others in the military. Also could have used some more about the Navajo culture. Otherwise I'd recommend it if you are into WW2 history.
November 2, 2018
A well-researched history of the Navajo code talkers during WWII. The book features firsthand accounts and contains a dictionary of the actual code they used.
January 26, 2018
I only finished this book because I bought it in Albuquerque at a fundraiser for a Code Talker museum and got the book signed by a pair of Code Talkers. The story of the Code Talkers is important and interesting, but this book reads an eighth grade term paper. In my opinion, a nonfiction book should only contain sentences that end in exclamation points if they’re quotes. There were times when it felt like the quotes were the only sentences that ended in periods.
There’s little cohesion to the narrative beyond the bits of translated code and random quotes from Talkers. These are interspersed with oddly specific snippets of statistics of key battles. When the human element is introduced, it’s riveting, but too little of that happens.
There’s little cohesion to the narrative beyond the bits of translated code and random quotes from Talkers. These are interspersed with oddly specific snippets of statistics of key battles. When the human element is introduced, it’s riveting, but too little of that happens.
May 19, 2016
A very concise history of the Navajo Code Talkers, covering the first initial creation of the code used during WWII, on up to the aftermath of celebrations honoring these men. This book includes the code used, actual documents from the BIA, Marines, etc. I especially liked the frequent use of information and first hand accounts gleaned from interviews with the Code Talkers.
August 30, 2022
The Navajo language is very difficult to translate into other languages and is not a written language. This, in part, was the reason why the United States Marine Corps enlisted the help of 29 Navajo men to create a code that could be used in military movements. The Navajo Code Talkers assigned Navajo words to specific words and movements in an attempt to thwart the enemy combatants. This was really smart and successful. These men participated in every major battle in the Pacific Theatre, which is terrifying to think about.
I was recommended this book by a World War II book page on Instagram that I follow. A follower submitted it with a story about how his grandfather was one of the Navajo Code Talkers. This was a really neat book. We never learned anything about them in my history classes, which is a shame. I went into debt for that college education with a specialization in World War II history, yet it seems as though I paid to know nothing. Check this book out, so the memory of these men can spread.
I was recommended this book by a World War II book page on Instagram that I follow. A follower submitted it with a story about how his grandfather was one of the Navajo Code Talkers. This was a really neat book. We never learned anything about them in my history classes, which is a shame. I went into debt for that college education with a specialization in World War II history, yet it seems as though I paid to know nothing. Check this book out, so the memory of these men can spread.
October 28, 2014
One of the books I picked up on my latest visit to Navajoland. My father told me about the Navajo code talkers years ago and I'm not sure if it was before the declassification of the code or before. I only know that I'd heard of them when I was much younger but it wasn't until a visit to Window Rock, Az several years ago that my memory of them was revived. During various trips to places on the Navajo Nation I'd chatted a bit with some of the Dine about their language and this inevitably led to at least a short discussion of them. There is a beautiful memorial statue to them beneath the actual Window Rock and somewhere, but not sure where, I had occasion to view pictures and documents about them, perhaps in the museum in Gallup, NM. Yet, for all that, I never bothered to pick up a book about these remarkable Marines and their story. I think because there are several volumes available in the various historic places in the Nation and I just never was able to decide which to read.
This year, my sister, on her first trip to Hubbell Trading Post purchased a Code Talker memoir. This got me looking more closely at the offerings and, finally, I made my choice, two books by Sally McClain. I've already reviewed what I consider her introductory volume, a slim book describing her research methods and experiences in gathering the information that she would then organize and weave into this volume.
The format of the book is very inviting and begins with the story of the Long Walk, the Navajo's displacement to Bosque Redondo in the north eastern portion of New Mexico. A terribly inhospitable place for those who survived the enforced march to attempt to survive. If one has not read her first book about the search for the talkers, the significance of this chapter is lost on the reader. Yet, in almost every interview she held with a Code Talker the first thing they spoke of was the Long Walk--an event so important to the individual Navajo that there is a sense of immediacy rather than historic revelation on the part of the narrator. This is something each of the Dine feel in their beings as having been experienced personally.
The second chapter is just as significant to the story for it tells of the conditions as they developed in Japan in the years between the world wars. Natural disasters, economic collapse and disease had reduced the country to one of starvation and homelessness. The military convinced the Emperor that only through the annexation of vast territories around the Pacific Ocean could the natural resources and food and labor needed for survival be obtained. And so, the Japanese set out to conquer the whole of the Pacific while the European powers were preoccupied with defeating Hitler and Mussolini. They also felt that their greatest obstacle to their plan was the United States Navy and so it was decided to annihilate it as soon as possible.
With those two chapters, Ms McClain defined the character and motivation of the major players in her book--the Japanese who, at all costs, including individual deaths, were determined to control a major part of the Earth and the Navajo Americans, who, through their devotion to Mother Earth and her protection, would become a major weapon of the USMC to prevent that from happening.
Step by step, battle by battle, the reader is carried along with the Marines and their Navajo Code Talkers through the Pacific campaign. I'm not a great military history buff and avoid reading many books on the subject because the minutia of the battle plan confuses me and gives me headaches. I just don't get into reading the maps and analyzing the dotted and solid lines of military movement or the arrows and colored zones ect. Yet, though the battles are described with some detail it is not overwhelming and throughout the narrative there are comments and recollections of the Code Talkers, their bodyguards and their other fellow Marines in the trenches as well as officers. These help to personalize and humanize the action and keeps the reader engrossed.
The conditions of places such as Guadalcanal, Iwo and Okinawa are described so vividly; the determination and stubbornness of the Japanese defenders bring home the difficulty facing the Marine invaders and their overwhelming steadfastness in achieving the goal of securing these islands for the eventual staging areas of a full bore invasion of mainland Japan is remarkably vivid. All through it, the amazing speed of the Navajo sending messages using the alphabet and vocabulary they developed without needing to code and decode is shown to be one of the major reasons any of these assaults were successful and shown to have been incredibly responsible for saving untold number of lives.
In the end, Ms McClain shows that these men returned home without any fanfare, carried on with thei lives without any special recognition and obeyed the order to refrain from revealing anything about their wartime experiences for over 25 years! Through her efforts, finally, as old age and in some cases,death, claimed these men, their remarkable contributions have been lauded and revealed.
Having read these volumes, my appetite for more information has been whetted and on my return to the Navajo Nation, several more of the books on these men will be added to my library. Too bad, in some ways we declassified the code, perhaps it would have come in handy in the various military actions we have engrossed ourselves in since 1945. On the other hand, had that been the case, a story about men, mistreated by their government, without the right to vote at the time, decided that Mother Earth needed protection, that Navajo Land is part of America and therefore America's call had to be answered, no matter the history of past relations.
May the Navajo Nation endure for all time to come!
This year, my sister, on her first trip to Hubbell Trading Post purchased a Code Talker memoir. This got me looking more closely at the offerings and, finally, I made my choice, two books by Sally McClain. I've already reviewed what I consider her introductory volume, a slim book describing her research methods and experiences in gathering the information that she would then organize and weave into this volume.
The format of the book is very inviting and begins with the story of the Long Walk, the Navajo's displacement to Bosque Redondo in the north eastern portion of New Mexico. A terribly inhospitable place for those who survived the enforced march to attempt to survive. If one has not read her first book about the search for the talkers, the significance of this chapter is lost on the reader. Yet, in almost every interview she held with a Code Talker the first thing they spoke of was the Long Walk--an event so important to the individual Navajo that there is a sense of immediacy rather than historic revelation on the part of the narrator. This is something each of the Dine feel in their beings as having been experienced personally.
The second chapter is just as significant to the story for it tells of the conditions as they developed in Japan in the years between the world wars. Natural disasters, economic collapse and disease had reduced the country to one of starvation and homelessness. The military convinced the Emperor that only through the annexation of vast territories around the Pacific Ocean could the natural resources and food and labor needed for survival be obtained. And so, the Japanese set out to conquer the whole of the Pacific while the European powers were preoccupied with defeating Hitler and Mussolini. They also felt that their greatest obstacle to their plan was the United States Navy and so it was decided to annihilate it as soon as possible.
With those two chapters, Ms McClain defined the character and motivation of the major players in her book--the Japanese who, at all costs, including individual deaths, were determined to control a major part of the Earth and the Navajo Americans, who, through their devotion to Mother Earth and her protection, would become a major weapon of the USMC to prevent that from happening.
Step by step, battle by battle, the reader is carried along with the Marines and their Navajo Code Talkers through the Pacific campaign. I'm not a great military history buff and avoid reading many books on the subject because the minutia of the battle plan confuses me and gives me headaches. I just don't get into reading the maps and analyzing the dotted and solid lines of military movement or the arrows and colored zones ect. Yet, though the battles are described with some detail it is not overwhelming and throughout the narrative there are comments and recollections of the Code Talkers, their bodyguards and their other fellow Marines in the trenches as well as officers. These help to personalize and humanize the action and keeps the reader engrossed.
The conditions of places such as Guadalcanal, Iwo and Okinawa are described so vividly; the determination and stubbornness of the Japanese defenders bring home the difficulty facing the Marine invaders and their overwhelming steadfastness in achieving the goal of securing these islands for the eventual staging areas of a full bore invasion of mainland Japan is remarkably vivid. All through it, the amazing speed of the Navajo sending messages using the alphabet and vocabulary they developed without needing to code and decode is shown to be one of the major reasons any of these assaults were successful and shown to have been incredibly responsible for saving untold number of lives.
In the end, Ms McClain shows that these men returned home without any fanfare, carried on with thei lives without any special recognition and obeyed the order to refrain from revealing anything about their wartime experiences for over 25 years! Through her efforts, finally, as old age and in some cases,death, claimed these men, their remarkable contributions have been lauded and revealed.
Having read these volumes, my appetite for more information has been whetted and on my return to the Navajo Nation, several more of the books on these men will be added to my library. Too bad, in some ways we declassified the code, perhaps it would have come in handy in the various military actions we have engrossed ourselves in since 1945. On the other hand, had that been the case, a story about men, mistreated by their government, without the right to vote at the time, decided that Mother Earth needed protection, that Navajo Land is part of America and therefore America's call had to be answered, no matter the history of past relations.
May the Navajo Nation endure for all time to come!
December 3, 2020
I purchased this book on a one night stopover in Page Arizona whilst on holiday in the U.S and heading for the Grand Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs National Monuments.
Having seen the Nicholas Cage film, ‘Windtalkers’, I was keen to read the story and I was not disappointed.
The book starts with a brief history of the Navajo Nation and then moves onto the idea, inception, training and use of the Code Talkers. Written by the Codetalkers themselves it takes you through the Pacific Campaign, telling their stories along the way.
That they couldn’t tell their story for many years after the wars end adds to their story.
The story should be read by all those with an interest in history to better understand the great contribution these people made.
Having seen the Nicholas Cage film, ‘Windtalkers’, I was keen to read the story and I was not disappointed.
The book starts with a brief history of the Navajo Nation and then moves onto the idea, inception, training and use of the Code Talkers. Written by the Codetalkers themselves it takes you through the Pacific Campaign, telling their stories along the way.
That they couldn’t tell their story for many years after the wars end adds to their story.
The story should be read by all those with an interest in history to better understand the great contribution these people made.
June 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It's the history of the Navaho code talkers, from their formation and induction into the Marine Corps, to their schooling for this objective, to their deployment across the Pacific in every battle in which the Marine Corps was involved. They performed brilliantly, heroically, and the Japs were never able to break their code. They were a vital part of our war exploits.
One thing that struck me was how willingly these Navahoes were to serve, in spite of many decades of Bureau of Indian Affairs mismanagement, persecution, ignorance of their needs, and failure to help them. These Navahoes deserve all the accolades given, and more too.
One thing that struck me was how willingly these Navahoes were to serve, in spite of many decades of Bureau of Indian Affairs mismanagement, persecution, ignorance of their needs, and failure to help them. These Navahoes deserve all the accolades given, and more too.
August 2, 2019
Written in a very straightforward. matter-of-fact basis, this book really brought out the work that these men did in the Pacific campaign. I gave it 4 starts mainly because it could have used more maps to clarify the action. Especially on Iwo Jima, the author kept referencing various hill numbers, terrain features, directions, etc. and it was a bit hard to follow.
But overall, it makes me want to go back to visit the Navajo Nation capitol of Window Rock to see the Codetalker Monument there in a new light.
But overall, it makes me want to go back to visit the Navajo Nation capitol of Window Rock to see the Codetalker Monument there in a new light.
August 12, 2024
I read the physical copy and I can say that this book got me really interested when I read because of the topic of world war || and how native Americans that basically got drafted to the marines during world war || had to develop this Navajo language into codes to use against the Japanese in the pacific war and only a certain amount of native Americans know about this language so it was perfect to use as a secret code to confuse an enemy intercepting this radio transmission so this book for me is five stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2018
I didn't feel fully enraptured with the story, and felt like the reader could have been brought in more to feel like a part of it. The language itself was really interesting, and I wished that it was explained and used more throughout, instead of just translated throughout the text. Overall though, not a bad book! It's a very solid history and gives a lot of insight into the lives of these Navajos!
July 10, 2018
The book itself details each of the Marine operations in which he Code Talkers were used including first hand accounts taken from the interviews with the surviving Code Talkers. The book is a good overview of their exploits and includes a well-worded epilogue on the post war lives of the Code Talkers including their formal recognition by the Marine Corps and the Navajo nation. A Good Read
August 29, 2019
If you are interested in the history of how the Navajo became involved in World War II this is a nice and easy account of the code talkers and their contribution to the Marines in overcoming the Japanese in the South Pacific and surrounding islands.
July 31, 2023
This book does not provide a deep understanding of the role of Navajos in World War 2. It is more of an overview of the US involvement in the war in the South Pacific and occasionally, how the code-talkers helped.
December 19, 2017
really interesting but very dense, reads like an interesting textbook
August 22, 2022
A valuable addition to the WWII field.
You can quibble with some of the writing but the story deserved to be told and here it is.
You can quibble with some of the writing but the story deserved to be told and here it is.
November 9, 2025
A fascinating part of American history, although the parts about military tactics were over my head.
December 12, 2022
Navajo weapon is a 300 paged detailed first-person account book exploring the lives of the Navajo code talkers who participated in World War two and the many battles they Faught in. From there lives before and their lives during the events. The Navajo code talkers are only some of the major groups to aid the allied powers in the second world war. From their rigorous trainings and suspenseful clashes with the axis powers. You are surely to be impressed. Even from the minute details from before they were code talkers could show how they were sort of just “regular people.” Who would go on to do tremendous things altering the course of history and consequently aid to the eventual downfall of the United States.
I personally enjoyed the aspects within the training leading up to the events to earn there “Navajo Code Talker” names/titles. Because of how well documented everything is. Especially since the code talkers were really the first ones to generally put the Diné language on paper somewhat mirrors the darker side of what knowledge has all been lost of our people’s earlier history predating Columbian America. Excluding the Catholic churches attempts and the time of the Long Walk (American civil/Indian war era) little to no language had ever been properly written down before World War two. My favorite “character” being Ira Hayes simply because of where he happened to be after the battel of Iwo Jima. Long recognized and arguably one of the most legendary photos taken in the United States military.(bottom of page) Obviously also enjoy this book in general because I myself am three quarters Diné. Other tribes and ethnicities being great plains Pawnee and Cheyenne. While also containing (if my math is correct.0.5% scotch Irish) Additionally how much I am interested in learning my people’s language (all 3 tribes) because of how much I value my indigenous ancestry. Considering So much of what is publicly accepted as fact is just mere Propaganda. The dictionary in the back with the actual codes and pronunciation included is a much-appreciated detail because of how much I want to learn my languages. Knowing this will not be easy it’s great to have as a recourse.
Personally, I didn’t “enjoy” how much I could relate to their struggles to write down the Diné language. Coming from a new Navajo Prep student, the course Diné language and culture ONE certainly has its ups and downs… Afterall, who thinks learning a new language is easy!? Unless you’re a silly little modern-day Marine Linguistics expert who eats crayons. I beg to differ. Considering that Diné bizzaad is not a sand script language (like 97% of languages worldwide) it’s generally its own thing. Unlike Spanish and Italian who share similar traits and pronunciations. You would only find Diné language easy if you are an Athapaskin (NOT ATHABASKIN*2 different things*) speaking “Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Plains Apache, San Carlos and Western Apache. Navajos and Apache’s are the same thing. Contrasting a Catholic and Orthodox church like relationship. Diné also being similar to northern Canadian tribes before separating from them in the Most likely 900-1100 A.D. NOT 1500s (Again, Propaganda.)
Any historian (especially world war geeks) and Diné/Indigenous Americans would adore this book. Simply because the code talker we can see as ourselves as and look up to besides the Hollywood “White man”. Rambo, Rocky and the T-800 excluded. Not much is really ever reported around native American role models and heroes. Besides the internationally known “Geronimo.” Little to no one could probably name 5 historically eventful risk taking “chiefs” or a “Bad@ss” native American characters or people. Besides Johnny Depp’s lone ranger (2015 film)
Its whatever though. Considering how mentally/physically sick and weak the United States youth has gotten due to the easy times brought upon by the U.N. Chinese tik Tok in the name of “justice and empowerment” has brainwashed Generation Z to accept many things that are inherently unnatural and unhealthy being such as being “fat” and “m!nor Attracted” All the while only making future Communist Chinas eventual takeover as a world superpower all the easier. Destroying Our democracy, that is “only as good as its people “-Some old Greek probably which is reliving and horrifying altogether. Because honestly, what did the Greeks NOT invent?
(My first Quarter independent reading review) (
I personally enjoyed the aspects within the training leading up to the events to earn there “Navajo Code Talker” names/titles. Because of how well documented everything is. Especially since the code talkers were really the first ones to generally put the Diné language on paper somewhat mirrors the darker side of what knowledge has all been lost of our people’s earlier history predating Columbian America. Excluding the Catholic churches attempts and the time of the Long Walk (American civil/Indian war era) little to no language had ever been properly written down before World War two. My favorite “character” being Ira Hayes simply because of where he happened to be after the battel of Iwo Jima. Long recognized and arguably one of the most legendary photos taken in the United States military.(bottom of page) Obviously also enjoy this book in general because I myself am three quarters Diné. Other tribes and ethnicities being great plains Pawnee and Cheyenne. While also containing (if my math is correct.0.5% scotch Irish) Additionally how much I am interested in learning my people’s language (all 3 tribes) because of how much I value my indigenous ancestry. Considering So much of what is publicly accepted as fact is just mere Propaganda. The dictionary in the back with the actual codes and pronunciation included is a much-appreciated detail because of how much I want to learn my languages. Knowing this will not be easy it’s great to have as a recourse.
Personally, I didn’t “enjoy” how much I could relate to their struggles to write down the Diné language. Coming from a new Navajo Prep student, the course Diné language and culture ONE certainly has its ups and downs… Afterall, who thinks learning a new language is easy!? Unless you’re a silly little modern-day Marine Linguistics expert who eats crayons. I beg to differ. Considering that Diné bizzaad is not a sand script language (like 97% of languages worldwide) it’s generally its own thing. Unlike Spanish and Italian who share similar traits and pronunciations. You would only find Diné language easy if you are an Athapaskin (NOT ATHABASKIN*2 different things*) speaking “Chiricahua, Jicarilla, Lipan, Mescalero, Plains Apache, San Carlos and Western Apache. Navajos and Apache’s are the same thing. Contrasting a Catholic and Orthodox church like relationship. Diné also being similar to northern Canadian tribes before separating from them in the Most likely 900-1100 A.D. NOT 1500s (Again, Propaganda.)
Any historian (especially world war geeks) and Diné/Indigenous Americans would adore this book. Simply because the code talker we can see as ourselves as and look up to besides the Hollywood “White man”. Rambo, Rocky and the T-800 excluded. Not much is really ever reported around native American role models and heroes. Besides the internationally known “Geronimo.” Little to no one could probably name 5 historically eventful risk taking “chiefs” or a “Bad@ss” native American characters or people. Besides Johnny Depp’s lone ranger (2015 film)
Its whatever though. Considering how mentally/physically sick and weak the United States youth has gotten due to the easy times brought upon by the U.N. Chinese tik Tok in the name of “justice and empowerment” has brainwashed Generation Z to accept many things that are inherently unnatural and unhealthy being such as being “fat” and “m!nor Attracted” All the while only making future Communist Chinas eventual takeover as a world superpower all the easier. Destroying Our democracy, that is “only as good as its people “-Some old Greek probably which is reliving and horrifying altogether. Because honestly, what did the Greeks NOT invent?
(My first Quarter independent reading review) (
August 31, 2011
I had heard of the Navajo Code Talkers, but I did not know who they were or anything about their mission until I read this book. It explains that American Indians of different tribes had been used in World War I to help with communications due to their unique languages, so the idea of using them as code talkers was not new. Apparently the Navajo language is unique, even among the Native Americans, because noone understands that language unless they have grown up hearing it and living it since birth. Even "White" children who grew up playing with and speaking with the Navajo children on the reservation did not have a real understanding of the language.
When it was determined to specifically use the Navajo Indian Nation to come up with a code that could not be deciphered, 29 or 30 of these Native Americans were recruited to be Marines. At the time they did not know why they were being recruited. After eight weeks of Boot Camp, they were assigned to come up with an alphabet and code, using their native language. Many of the military terms they were asked to translate had no corresponding word in the Navajo language, so they had to be creative in coming up with simple descriptions. That was the beginning. Overtime, the vocabulary was expanded to include hundreds of words. But they were not used in a straightforward manner. The men also put those words into a disguised code that only they could understand. As new recruits joined their elite ranks, they spent many hours memorizing and learning the code.
I learned why the Japanese were determined to overtake the world, and how they were counting on our preoccupation with Germany's similar aim to distract us from stopping them. The Navajo Code Talkers made it possible for our military, specifically the Marines, to communicate orders as they fought in the Pacific Islands against the Japanese. The code they used was a code within a code. Even someone who understood Navajo did not know what they were saying. Sometimes these men were mistaken for Japanese, both because of their appearance and their foreign-sounding language. At times that put them in danger of "friendly fire." Once even the Japanese mistook a Navajo Marine as one of their own. This man was not a Code Talker, but simply an American who had joined the Marines to defend his country. When the Japanese captured him, it took them half an hour to truly believe that he was not one of their own. When they realized he was not, they then tried to get him to decipher the codes for them. While he recognized his native language, and understood the words, he did not have any knowledge of their intended meaning. He spent over 1,000 days as prisoner of war, being tortured and beaten, but to no avail. Despite suffering injuries such as a broken hand and ribs, his inability to decode the messages, but their insistence that he could, is probably what kept him alive.
These men served with honor and secrecy. No other branches of the military other than the Marines even knew of their existence. And even within the Marines, very few knew of their mission. The men themselves were not aware, until years later, that each of them had his own bodyguard assigned to him. Each was aware of friends and buddies, but did not know that they were being especially protected. Their value was priceless. Effective communication is vital during times of war, and these men served as a key that turned the war in our favor.
Having served as Marines, these men came to appreciate how it felt to be treated as equals. They understood the importance of education. Their service during the war became a blessing to them and their people after the war. Unfortunately, there are still many bureaucratic obstacles in the way of true equality. I pray for the day when all people, men and women of every color and race and nationality, will be esteemed for who they are as brothers and sisters on this great planet Earth.
When it was determined to specifically use the Navajo Indian Nation to come up with a code that could not be deciphered, 29 or 30 of these Native Americans were recruited to be Marines. At the time they did not know why they were being recruited. After eight weeks of Boot Camp, they were assigned to come up with an alphabet and code, using their native language. Many of the military terms they were asked to translate had no corresponding word in the Navajo language, so they had to be creative in coming up with simple descriptions. That was the beginning. Overtime, the vocabulary was expanded to include hundreds of words. But they were not used in a straightforward manner. The men also put those words into a disguised code that only they could understand. As new recruits joined their elite ranks, they spent many hours memorizing and learning the code.
I learned why the Japanese were determined to overtake the world, and how they were counting on our preoccupation with Germany's similar aim to distract us from stopping them. The Navajo Code Talkers made it possible for our military, specifically the Marines, to communicate orders as they fought in the Pacific Islands against the Japanese. The code they used was a code within a code. Even someone who understood Navajo did not know what they were saying. Sometimes these men were mistaken for Japanese, both because of their appearance and their foreign-sounding language. At times that put them in danger of "friendly fire." Once even the Japanese mistook a Navajo Marine as one of their own. This man was not a Code Talker, but simply an American who had joined the Marines to defend his country. When the Japanese captured him, it took them half an hour to truly believe that he was not one of their own. When they realized he was not, they then tried to get him to decipher the codes for them. While he recognized his native language, and understood the words, he did not have any knowledge of their intended meaning. He spent over 1,000 days as prisoner of war, being tortured and beaten, but to no avail. Despite suffering injuries such as a broken hand and ribs, his inability to decode the messages, but their insistence that he could, is probably what kept him alive.
These men served with honor and secrecy. No other branches of the military other than the Marines even knew of their existence. And even within the Marines, very few knew of their mission. The men themselves were not aware, until years later, that each of them had his own bodyguard assigned to him. Each was aware of friends and buddies, but did not know that they were being especially protected. Their value was priceless. Effective communication is vital during times of war, and these men served as a key that turned the war in our favor.
Having served as Marines, these men came to appreciate how it felt to be treated as equals. They understood the importance of education. Their service during the war became a blessing to them and their people after the war. Unfortunately, there are still many bureaucratic obstacles in the way of true equality. I pray for the day when all people, men and women of every color and race and nationality, will be esteemed for who they are as brothers and sisters on this great planet Earth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2023
A really good review of a forgotten group of Marines, during WWII
May 7, 2012
A Bit of History Worth Learning About
Created by specially recruited Navajo tribesmen, for use in the Pacific Theater the Marine Corp Navajo Code Talkers Program befuddled both the Japanese and American code breakers. A quick and reliable means of sending information this code with in a code played a vital part in rooting out the Japanese in the Pacific. Navajo Code Talkers helped to insure the outcomes of battles for Guadalcanal, Guam, Imo Jima and others. This is the story of the people who helped create, develop and implement the Navajo code based on the Navajo language, another extraordinary part of the American war effort during WWII.
The first chapter starts off kind of slow, but I do like the idea of looking at a snippet of life for a Navajo family before WWII, though in this case it didn’t work. I understand the intent to humanize this story, but the writing is weak and this chapter, at least the way it was written, was unnecessary. Fortunately after chapter one things pick up pretty quickly.
There are quite a few official communiques to slog through, but if you can get through them, McClain also interweaves firsthand accounts and interviews with them. Navajo Weapon is clearly and concisely laid out in an engaging manner, sure to keep you interested. McClain details battles seen by the code talkers and how the code was used during those battles. She also provides enough background information for the reader to really understand the importance of the battles and the opposition’s state of mind of and reasoning for their actions.
McClain’s story is well documented, with a large appendix at the end if you’re interested in some of the technical points. She correctly states the facts and I agree with most of her interpretations. She is very good at the cause and effect, without putting too much of her own personal bias into it, which is always a bit difficult. I also appreciate her following the soldiers back home in the epilogue.
I find the subject of the Navajo Code utterly fascinating. This story reminds us yet again how so many different people contributed and worked together to win the war. I liked this book by Sally McClain; the length was reasonable and writing style adequate. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in WWII, Navajo’s history in the U.S. military or someone who likes codes.
Marines never die – they just go to hell and regroup!
Created by specially recruited Navajo tribesmen, for use in the Pacific Theater the Marine Corp Navajo Code Talkers Program befuddled both the Japanese and American code breakers. A quick and reliable means of sending information this code with in a code played a vital part in rooting out the Japanese in the Pacific. Navajo Code Talkers helped to insure the outcomes of battles for Guadalcanal, Guam, Imo Jima and others. This is the story of the people who helped create, develop and implement the Navajo code based on the Navajo language, another extraordinary part of the American war effort during WWII.
The first chapter starts off kind of slow, but I do like the idea of looking at a snippet of life for a Navajo family before WWII, though in this case it didn’t work. I understand the intent to humanize this story, but the writing is weak and this chapter, at least the way it was written, was unnecessary. Fortunately after chapter one things pick up pretty quickly.
There are quite a few official communiques to slog through, but if you can get through them, McClain also interweaves firsthand accounts and interviews with them. Navajo Weapon is clearly and concisely laid out in an engaging manner, sure to keep you interested. McClain details battles seen by the code talkers and how the code was used during those battles. She also provides enough background information for the reader to really understand the importance of the battles and the opposition’s state of mind of and reasoning for their actions.
McClain’s story is well documented, with a large appendix at the end if you’re interested in some of the technical points. She correctly states the facts and I agree with most of her interpretations. She is very good at the cause and effect, without putting too much of her own personal bias into it, which is always a bit difficult. I also appreciate her following the soldiers back home in the epilogue.
I find the subject of the Navajo Code utterly fascinating. This story reminds us yet again how so many different people contributed and worked together to win the war. I liked this book by Sally McClain; the length was reasonable and writing style adequate. I recommend it for anyone who is interested in WWII, Navajo’s history in the U.S. military or someone who likes codes.
Marines never die – they just go to hell and regroup!
March 31, 2020
Many of us have heard that the US military used Navajos as "code talkers" during World War II -- there's even a movie about it (starring Nicholas Cage, if memory serves me correctly). But how did that come about? Was it simply a matter of translating messages into and out of the Navajo language? Why's that so special, anyway?
Well, Sally McClain does an outstanding job of meticulously unveiling the impetus of the program, its challenges, the roles various Navajo tribal members played, and why the program was shrouded in such mystery for so long.
When you think about it, there are no words in Navajo for the kinds of military equipment and maneuvers that needed to be conveyed in various commands flying over the radio.
From weighing the idea to recruiting the coders, from creating and testing the code to sharing individual experiences of the code talkers, McClain has provided an excellent -- and readable -- account of this unique American experience.
Even if you're not a big fan of wartime writings, this book will give you a great overview of the primary battles of WWII South Pacific with a focus on the essential role the Navajo code talkers played.
Well, Sally McClain does an outstanding job of meticulously unveiling the impetus of the program, its challenges, the roles various Navajo tribal members played, and why the program was shrouded in such mystery for so long.
When you think about it, there are no words in Navajo for the kinds of military equipment and maneuvers that needed to be conveyed in various commands flying over the radio.
From weighing the idea to recruiting the coders, from creating and testing the code to sharing individual experiences of the code talkers, McClain has provided an excellent -- and readable -- account of this unique American experience.
Even if you're not a big fan of wartime writings, this book will give you a great overview of the primary battles of WWII South Pacific with a focus on the essential role the Navajo code talkers played.
September 30, 2016
I really liked the book Navajo Weapon by Sally Mclain. I really liked the book because it showed how much the Navajos language was unique and useful for fighting the war. Also I liked this book because it was very informational including important dates,times,areas and information. This book is a really interesting war book that tells of the navajo code talkers amazing position in the pacific during WW2 which help end the war with the truce between Japan and America and how they gained mutual friendships with soldiers of all race. In the book it shows words that were used like Ne-He-Mah which means our mother but in the army meant america. Last I liked this book because my ancestors were Navajo. I read this book because I wanted to learn how my ancestors fought for their country with the hazard of losing their life. They even went against their customary religious activities to fight for their country which makes honor them. All in all this book was really informational and help better my understanding of the Navajo code talkers.
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February 25, 2008A wonderfully written book about true American warrior heroes: the Dine (Navaho) Marine code talkers. It is written in a manner that melds first-person accounts with battle maps and descriptions of the WWII Pacific campaign. The author has done a wonderful job, as the book is deceptively easy to read, yet conveys a great deal of information concerning Code Talker program conception, sustainment, changes, personnel recruitment, difficulties encountered, and successes achieved. Yet there is much left for the reader to explore in other venues when the book is finished. It is a great introduction to the topic, and is highly recommended; it should be required reading in schools nationwide.
May 8, 2014
What a great story about some little known heroes in the defeat of the Japanese in WWII! I loved learning more about their skills & commitment to being the best Marines that they could be. They showed that even though they were actively being "educated" that their language was not to be used, that they would preserve. And that same language that was basically being "beaten out of them" was not only valuable to them, but to America.
The dangers they faced was monumental. Not only were they being shot at by the Japanese, but many were in grave danger from their own fellow soldiers! I also found it amazing that they kept their secret for so many decades after the was over.
The dangers they faced was monumental. Not only were they being shot at by the Japanese, but many were in grave danger from their own fellow soldiers! I also found it amazing that they kept their secret for so many decades after the was over.
October 31, 2012
The writing and format were lacking, but the story of the Navajo Code Talkers made up for it. I'm not certain what the author was trying to accomplish. At times she wrote as if the book was meant as a military strategy manual, while other times the writing was beyond dry and far beyond boring. However, when the author shared the real-life experiences of the code talkers, the book was very interesting.
It is my hope to find a book that is told from the perspective of the code talkers themselves.
It is my hope to find a book that is told from the perspective of the code talkers themselves.
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