World War II

1
World War II

• During WWII the primary method of communication
  was the Radio.
• The problem with radios was that anyone with a
  radio receiver could tune into your frequency and
  listen to what you are saying.
• Sensitive information had to be encrypted
  (coded), transmitted, and then decrypted
  (decoded) in order to be used. This process took
  a lot of time and slowed the communication
  process.

2
World War II

• During WWII one of the greatest weapons the
  Japanese had was their Cryptologists.
  (communication encrypters and decrypters)
• The Japanese were experts at breaking encryption
  codes.
• They would use our communications to plan their
  strategy.

3
But then the US Marine Corps discovered their own
Secret Weapon
4
As the Marines conducted their Island Hopping
Campaign on their way to Japan, they had an
un-breakable code which provided communication
security.
5
The Navajo code allowed the Marines to
communicate sensitive information with security
preventing the Japanese from knowing our attack
plans
6
Navajo was a Hidden Language
It had no written form or symbols
It was only spoken in the Navajo Nation in the
American Southwest
It was impossible for adults to learn
7
USMC discovers the Navajo language

• Phillip Johnston grew up on a Navajo Reservation
  as the son of a missionary.
• He presented a practical demonstration to the
  USMC.
• The Marine Corps authorized the recruitment of
  200 Navajos to be trained and used as
  communicators in the Pacific.

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First they were sent to San Diego for Boot Camp
and then to the Field Signal Battalion Training
Center at Camp Pendleton California.
9
Requirements Fluent in Navajo language,
Fluent in English language, Learn the
Navajo Military Code
10
They were taught basic military communications
and then a Navajo double coded system
11
The written code could not be carried into
combat for fear of it falling into the enemys
hands and being used to decrypt our messages. The
entire code had to be memorized.
12
After their training was complete the Marine Code
Talkers were assigned to combat units in the
Pacific
13
About 400 Navajos qualified and served in the
Marine Signal Corps in the Pacific during WWII
14
Navajo Code Talkers participated in every Marine
assault in the Pacific during WWII
15
They faced the usual hazards of combat life and
they had an additional hazard in combat Being
mistaken for the enemy impersonating Marines
16
Among the Navajo Code Talkers is a strong sense
of Esprit de Corps. They have a heritage of
Service Loyalty
This Marine Secret Weapon was kept a secret from
the public for 25 years after WWII
17
Their Patriotism, Resourcefulness, and Courage
earned them the gratitude of all Americans
18
In 2001 the President of the United States
declared August 14 national Navajo Code Talker
Day