Bixler, Margaret T. Winds of Freedom: the story of the Navajo code talkers of world war II (Connecticut: two bytes publishing company 1992).
Thesis
The authors purpose is to share the story of the Navajo tribe and their involvement in world war II. The Navajo tribe was able to provide an intricate system of codes to assist in combat and helped save troops in action. The language of the Navajo wasn’t very popular and it was a small population that spoke the very complicated language. Thus making it nearly impossible for the enemy to be able to understand. The Navajos were the reason world war II was so successful for the U.S. This group of people lived in the states of Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. The Navajo take its name from
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The details he shared helps readers understand more about the structure of the code talkers and their culture. At the time Americans didn’t really understand the way Navajos worked but the author was able to advocate for their differences in culture. The Navajo didn’t feel the need to commemorate in things like manners and politeness. It was a type of cultural structure where you state your business and get involved without really wasting time on flattery. The Navajos don’t consider it rude if someone doesn’t say thank you or you’re welcome. Their definition of communication is different but despite their individuality they are able to work together in …show more content…
In order to support his reasoning in his claim he refers a lot to his personal experiences instead of elaborating more on facts and research. the authors intention was to educate and share the story of the Navajo but there are certain excerpts that share his opinion when talking about a timeline. It’s a concept of over sharing, he shares a lot with the readers and some of it isn’t even related to the subject at hand. The author could reach efficacy when talking about the Navajos and their involvement with the war but the fact that he shares his personal accounts debunks the credibility he has as a
In 1942, The Navajo Code Talkers were sent to the battlefield against the Axis forces during WWII. With their strength and bravery as they did their job while under constant fire on the warzone, they did their part and were an affective unit that lead the Allies to victory. The Navajo Code Talkers were a successful unit that supported the Allies in WWII because of their background, creating the code, and Their mission. Originally, the Navajo Tribe were discovered in Utah Arizona, and other parts near New Mexico by the US.
Secondly, another role of the Code Talkers was to teach other Navajos how to read, write and learn the codes. The article states, “Later, several hundred more Navajos would join the group and learn the secret code.” This meant that the codes could travel along more people and that the Code Talkers could gain more information about the Japanese troops. In summary, Code Talkers in World War II had to deliver messages and teach other Navajos how to read and write
The Navajo Code Talkers played a crucial role in the outcome of World War II. Their code couldn’t be deciphered by anyone, not even by Japanese code breakers. They were stationed at various places throughout the war. Not only was the code significant to how battles were fought, the messages determined how many lives could be lost during battle. Navajo Code Talkers started getting recruited in 1941-1942 by the Marine Corps.
In 1942, Philip Johnston was the son of a missionary, he was reading a newspaper article about an armored division in Louisiana that was trying to come up with a code using Native American languages. He knew a language that would be an unbreakable code. This idea was to use the Navajo language for secure communications. As a child he grew up on a Navajo reservation with his missionary parents. He learned the language and customs growing up.
Have you ever wondered how US soldiers communicated on the battlefield? This essay is about the Navajo Code Talkers and how they were very important in World War II. One of my topics will be the origin of the Navajo Code and it’s select few of talkers. My second topic will be how the code was used in World War II.
The Navajo Code Talkers are seen as one of the most essential aspects of WWII for their unbreakable code and easy communication skills with each other. The Code Talkers were a special group of 29 Navajo soldiers who were fluent in English and Navajo languages and also physically fit. They were sent to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot for seven weeks of training, after which they started to develop the code they would use. The language that they created was a alphabet language which consisted of words chosen from nature. They created 411 terms using this language.
The Navajo Code Talkers and Their Everlasting Legacy Throughout recent United States history (post civil-war), discussion of Native American struggles and triumphs has lessened greatly. This is primarily due to the decline in wars and conflict between the government and tribal groups. Although this sort of activity has declined, Native American groups have impacted United States history on many occasions during this time period. One of events that is particularly interesting to research is the Navajo Code Talkers intervention of World War II. Essentially, the Navajo people were utilized by the United States government during the second world war in order to disguise their military codes through another language.
The Navajo Code Talkers The Navajo Code Talkers performed a role that changed the outcome of World War II. With Britain on the verge of complete destruction due to constant bombings, and with France about to surrender, U.S. intervention was necessary for the greater good of world against fascism of Germany, Italy, and Japan. The Navajo Code provided the U.S. with strategic advantage to combat the Axis Powers and aided in numerous victories. While it was not the first of its kind to be used in U.S. army, it left a lasting impression on the history of warfare and the events of the twentieth century.
They weren't recognized for so long because they were suppose to be kept a secret and classified by the military. Many of the Navajos told there families what they really did in that war. There service served there families, communities ,and country by helping with major wars. “ They demonstrated the importance of their tribal languages to the world and helped preserve them for the future. They met the challenge of life” (Code Talking).
At the beginning of Code Talkers, before World War Two, while at mission school, Ned acts as a rebel when people discriminate against him and his culture. While at mission school, Ned and the other Navajos were not allowed to speak Navajo. So instead, “[Ned] learned Navajo songs and stories” “in the basement of the school or out behind the woodshed” (Bruchac 26). They may not have taken over the school, but they did do enough to keep their traditions alive, even when they were trying to be suppressed.
His cultural aspects and renewed self-worth are grown by the war and help him along the way. Ned’s cultural Navajo identity is affected by World War II. For example, Ned says that he, "Pray[s] that none of you have to go to battle as I did. I also pray that you will fight to keep our language, to hold on to it with the same warrior spirit that our Indian people showed during that war.” (214) Ned’s language is an important aspect of his culture.
In the beginning of WWII, a former veteran from WWI proposed his idea to have Native Americans speak their language as a type of code. These men were referred to as code talkers. The Navajos, being the most famous tribe, were essential to the victory of America in World War II because of their complex language, definite precision, and courageous unity. The Navajo Code Talkers are Native Americans that used their language to communicate in World
Throughout history, there have been many literary studies that focused on the culture and traditions of Native Americans. Native writers have worked painstakingly on tribal histories, and their works have made us realize that we have not learned the full story of the Native American tribes. Deborah Miranda has written a collective tribal memoir, “Bad Indians”, drawing on ancestral memory that revealed aspects of an indigenous worldview and contributed to update our understanding of the mission system, settler colonialism and histories of American Indians about how they underwent cruel violence and exploitation. Her memoir successfully addressed past grievances of colonialism and also recognized and honored indigenous knowledge and identity.
Ultimately, the Navajo, who at one time were forbidden to speak their own language by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, used that language to help the United States win the war. Eventually the 382nd platoon was created specifically for Navajo code talkers.(Pash) The Navajos served in all six marine divisions, taking part in every assault the
They felt that this country was taken away from them by the white man and should not be required to help in the case of attack, but when war was declared against the Axis powers, The Navajo Nation declared: “We resolve that the Navajo Indians stand ready… to aid and defend our government and its institutions against all subversive and armed conflict and pledge our loyalty to the system and a way of life that has placed us among the greatest people of our race” (Takaki 60). Altogether forty-five thousand Indians served in the U.S. armed forces. Despite this, Indian workers received lower pay that that of whites, In the cities, Indians also experienced discrimination. Ignatia Broker of the Ojibway wrote “Although employment was good because of the labor demand of the huge defense plants, Indian people faced discrimination in restaurants, night clubs, retail and department stores… and worst of all, in housing” (Takaki