John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining heroes, passes away, marking the end of an era
John Kinsel Sr., one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers who played a pivotal role in World War II by transmitting secret military communications using the Navajo language, passed away at the age of 107. His death, announced by Navajo Nation officials, signals the near end of a significant chapter in American military history.
A legacy of service and honor
Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren honored Kinsel’s service by ordering flags across the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff until sunset on October 27.
“Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker,” Nygren said in a statement on Sunday.
Kinsel’s passing leaves only two surviving Code Talkers: former Navajo Chairman Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay, both of whom served alongside hundreds of Navajo men recruited by the U.S. Marine Corps during the war.
Navajo Code Talkers: The unsung heroes of the Pacific
The Navajo Code Talkers were instrumental in the Allied victory in the Pacific theater during World War II. These Marines used their native, unwritten language to create an unbreakable code that baffled Japanese military cryptologists. The Code Talkers played a crucial role in every major Marine assault between 1942 and 1945, including iconic battles such as Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, and Iwo Jima.
Using their unique code, the Code Talkers transmitted thousands of critical messages about Japanese troop movements and battlefield tactics without a single error, contributing significantly to the ultimate Allied victory.
A decorated military career
John Kinsel Sr. was born in Cove, Arizona, and grew up in the Navajo community of Lukachukai. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and quickly became part of the elite group of Code Talkers. Kinsel served with distinction in the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division during the grueling Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the most intense and strategically important battles of the war.
Commemorating the Code Talkers
In 1982, President Ronald Reagan recognized the immense contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers by establishing Navajo Code Talkers Day, celebrated annually on August 14. The holiday is not only a state holiday in Arizona but also a Navajo Nation holiday, honoring the many Native American tribes that supported the war effort.
The Navajo Code Talkers’ legacy continues to be celebrated on the vast Navajo Nation reservation, which spans parts of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah.
With the passing of John Kinsel Sr., the United States and the Navajo Nation have lost a true hero, whose contributions helped shape the course of history. His legacy, and that of all Navajo Code Talkers, will forever be remembered as a testament to courage, ingenuity, and selfless service.