PHOENIX —Governor Ducey issued a proclamation recognizing August 14, 2019 as Arizona Navajo Code Talkers Day in honor of the Navajo Code Talkers’ extraordinary service to our nation during World War II.
“More than 400 Navajo Code Talkers answered the call to serve after the Pearl Harbor attacks in 1941,” said Governor Ducey. “Because of their service, their sacrifice and the use of their native language, the United States and Allied Forces secured victory in World War II. For that, we owe them a debt that can never be repaid.”
Navajo Code Talkers used their native language to develop an unbreakable code during World War II. Code Talkers assisted in every major operation involving the United States Marines in the Pacific Ocean theatre, including during the battle at Iwo Jima where they successfully transmitted more than 800 messages without error.
Navajo Code Talkers Day was established through a presidential proclamation by President Ronald Reagan on August 14, 1982. In 2014, Arizona passed legislation declaring every August 14 Navajo Code Talkers Day in Arizona.
