Tribe: Navajo Code Talker dies in New Mexico
Source: Associated Press
Tribe: Navajo Code Talker dies in New Mexico
https://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.411472.1507579213!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_900/image.jpg
Window Rock Navajo Tribal Park and Veterans Memorial in the capitol of Navajo Nation. These were the Native Americans depicted in the movie "Windtalkers."
JIM PIERSON/SUBMITTED
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 9, 2017
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. A Navajo Code Talker who used his native language to outsmart the Japanese in World War II has died in New Mexico, Navajo Nation officials said.
David Patterson Sr. died Sunday in Rio Rancho at age 94 from pneumonia and complications from subdural hematoma. Few Navajo Code Talkers are still alive.
Patterson and hundreds of other Navajos trained in radio communications were prohibited from talking about their work until it was declassified in 1968. Although Patterson couldn't say much, one of his sons said he was proud of being a Code Talker.
. . .
Patterson served in the Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945. He and other Navajos followed in the footsteps of the original 29 who developed the code and received the Congressional Silver Medal in 2001. During the war, they radioed messages using Navajo words for red soil, war chief, braided hair and hummingbird, for example.
Read more: https://www.stripes.com/news/marine-corps/tribe-navajo-code-talker-dies-in-new-mexico-1.491742#.WdwIVGiPLIU
David Patterson Sr.
iluvtennis
(19,912 posts)FailureToCommunicate
(14,034 posts)marked50
(1,373 posts)LittleGirl
(8,292 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)VermontKevin
(1,473 posts)sarisataka
(18,926 posts)TNNurse
(6,933 posts)There must not be very many left. We owe them respect and thanks.
Respect
Only respect
turbinetree
(24,745 posts)Wado----------Thank you
Skittles
(153,310 posts)yes INDEED
jb5150
(1,186 posts)Rest In Peace
raven mad
(4,940 posts)What are we ever going to do for more heroes? My dad worked in proximity to these folks, so I'm almost glad he's not here anymore to learn about it.
My dad-in-love did communications in the Navy and said they were the best folks he'd ever known.
SnowCritter
(810 posts)Grieve for me, for I would grieve for you.
Then brush away the sorrow and the tears
Life is not over, but begins anew,
With courage you must greet the coming years.
To live forever in the past is wrong;
It can only cause you misery and pain.
Dwell not on memories overlong,
With others you must share and care again.
Reach out and comfort those who comfort you;
Recall the years, but only for a while.
Nurse not your loneliness; but live again.
Forget not. Remember with a smile.
Semper Fi, Marine!