Preston Hunter P. 5 English WWII Navajo Code Talkers vs.

Americans What Won the War If you were punished for nothing, treated like animals, and beaten at school, would you help the people out that did this to you? The Navajos did. In World War II they helped the United States defeat the Japanese and become victorious. Two of the most interesting perspectives of World War II are the Navajo Code Talkers and the involvement of the American soldier. I will explore these perspectives through army life, home life, and attitudes of war. First, the home life of the Navajos was unique. The Navajo people were born in hogans in very simple conditions. Unlike other groups of people in America, the Navajo nation didnt issue birth certificates. Paper work and written records was not a part of their life. Nature was their focus. Nearly everyone on the Navajo reservation lived in peace and harmony. They woke up early in the morning before the sun came up to herd sheep and to make a living and provide for themselves. Often, early in their life, children were stolen from their families and sent to boarding schools. These boarding schools damaged the Navajo culture. Larry Foster, former Chairman of staff of the Navajo Nation, said of these schools, In my mind its a program of stimulation and a program of eventual cultural genocide. Merril L. Sandoval, a Navajo Code Talker, said of the boarding schools, It was almost like a prison camp because you had no rights. They were discriminated and beaten. Sandoval also claimed that, A helper would come in with a belt and belt us. It was not a small belt either. They were not able to speak Navajo. They referred to us as savages, the whole idea was to forget your culture

and tradition because we were told we were savages and these things were of the devil. It was a very difficult time, so difficult that I ran away from the boarding school at the age of ten and I did it again about six months later. said Peter MacDonald, a Navajo Code Talker (True Whispers). Next, it is interesting to see what American home life was like in the 1930s and 1940s. Someone living in this era had a life similar to the typical American today, minus the technology. They ate, slept, played, worked, and went about their day. The military worked and lived at the military bases. However, all of this changed the morning of December 7, 1941 when Japan bombed and surprise attacked Pearl Harbor and America. America was at war. Everyday life was now greatly impacted. Everything was being rationed, food, gas, clothing etc. Able young men were called upon in great numbers to join the military and become soldiers. Many saw combat action. While the men went to war, the women began working to help the fight. With all the men gone, the women had to step up and help. They helped build machinery and equipment and all sorts of things. The American soldiers life and life for the women and family at home had just changed drastically (History.com). The Navajo soldiers army life was fascinating. They were recruited out of the boarding schools and sent to boot camp. They did very well in boot camp. They were recognized for doing well and they surprised people. They succeeded because when they were young, they were taught to be good listeners, and to follow directions. The Navajos were also built physically strong which helped them do well in boot camp. After boot camp, several Navajos were asked to use their native language to develop a code and a secret way to communicate that

the enemy would not understand. As students at the boarding schools, they were discouraged from speaking and using their language. Now their language was considered an asset. Zonnie Gorman, daughter of a Navajo Code Talker, Carl Gorman, said, Its interesting that when my father, growing up, wasnt considered a citizen of this country. Then they turn around and ask him for help. (True Whispers). It is remarkable the Navajos who had been treated so poorly by many were so willing to fight for America and help to win the war. Truly, the Navajo changed and improved the outcome of the war. Many feel they won the war for the United States. The Navajo Code Talkers were better than Americas best cryptographers. The first Code Talkers who created the code were called the original twenty-nine. Keith Little said the reason why he helped create the code was to protect our people, land and country. The Navajos were put on the front lines with the Marines and were in every Marine mission in the Southern Pacific (official website of NCT). They not only sent and received messages, they had to fight. They

were very good warriors. Major Howard M. Conner said, Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima! (Holm 83). Along with the Navajos contribution, the American soldiers influence also needs to be recognized. They worked hard and made good use of their resources. For example, while on the battle grounds they used their helmets in a variety of ways. These helmets became known as steel pots. Soldiers heated water in them, cooked in them, and shaved inside of them. They even washed their own socks in the same helmet. Its all they had to work with. Physical fitness was necessary. Boot Camp was hard and they had to really be fit to endure it. Soldiers kept a dog tag with them at all times throughout the war and also a tallit. This way they could be identified if anything happened to them (Gelles).

War strategy and the need for secrecy prevented soldiers from telling their families their location. In fact, when the soldiers were writing home, they couldnt let family know where they were at the time. Their letters were supervised and edited by the army (Gelles). War life was very difficult. An example of the difficult time was the famous battle of Iwo Jima. The military were on Iwo Jima, fighting, for 36 days. It was very tough for the soldiers (True Whispers). Lastly it is interesting to examine the attitudes toward the war. The Navajos readily fought for their country. Albert Smith, a Code Talker, said, Japan wanted our freedom, wanted to take Mother Earth away from us. So thats why we fought. Thats why we used our language. They fought for the freedom of their families and to help save their homeland. Sam Tso, another Code Talker, said, Im ready to do it again. (True Whispers). They risked their lives for their country. They were willing to fight. It is remarkable that after all that they had been through, and the persecution the Navajos endured, they still fought for the U.S. Their grandparents were punished by the U.S. government. They were treated cruelly and they were still willing to fight. They were sent on the long walk, their lands were taken from them, and then they were forced to go back to a tiny reservation. They were punished and sent to boarding schools. At the boarding schools they were not allowed to do anything with their culture or language. Still, after all this, they fought and won the war for America (True Whispers). The American soldiers also had an attitude of commitment to the war. Fighting was intense and cruel. Both sides of the war developed the attitude that the enemy is inhuman and worthy of extermination. The attitude of kill or be killed was common. Some soldiers became mean and very cruel out on the battlefield (Sledge). The Americans wanted to get the war over

with so they could all just go home. They wanted to return to the good life and see their family and girlfriends. The Americans also developed an attitude and desire to support each other. They did not want to let their buddy down. They would do their best to help out their friends and never leave one behind (US Military). In conclusion, I have learned a lot! I have learned that the Navajo people are a great nation and people. After all the U.S. did to them they still helped the war end with an American victory. I also learned a little more about what it was like to be a Code Talker and an American soldier. It would have been very tough to be one of those roles. They went through a lot in the Pacific. As you can see, two of the most important topics of WWII are the perspectives of the Navajo Code Talkers and the American soldiers. You can discover this through their attitudes of the war, their army life, and their home life. This all matters today because the Navajo Code Talkers and dedicated American soldiers won the war for the U.S. Could you imagine being under Japanese rule to this day?