World War II Navajo Code Talker Roy Hawthorne Dies at 92

Navajo Code Talker Roy Hawthorne relays a message in Navajo to fellow Code Talker Samuel T. Holiday, during a visit to a static display held by 9th. Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Sept. 28, 2015.

DEVAN K. GOWANS/U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — A Navajo Code Talker who used his native language to confound the Japanese in World War II has died.

The Navajo Nation says Roy Hawthorne Sr. died Saturday. He was 92.

Hawthorne enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 17 and became part of a famed group of Navajos who transmitted hundreds of messages in their language without error.

The code was never broken.

Roy Hawthorne of the famed Navajo Nation Code Talkers. Photo-Evan Vucci : AP

Hawthorne had been one of the most visible survivors of the group. He appeared at public events and served as vice president of a group representing the men.

He never considered himself a hero.

Hawthorne later served with the U.S. Army.

He’s survived by five children and more than a dozen grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled Friday.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran of the day August 22, 2013  : Roy Hawthorne (middle) served as a Navajo Code Talker. He was walking on a two-mile parade route during National Navajo Code Talkers Day in Window Rock, Ariz., when two Marines began helping him on the last half mile. Thank you for your service, Roy!
(Image courtesy of Marty Thompson)

Source: Stars and Stripes