Navajo Code Talker and Iwo Jima Hero | Thomas Begay

Thomas Begay was one of the famed “Navajo Code Talkers,” members of the Navajo Nation who were selected by the US Marine Corps to create a code based on the complex, unwritten Navajo language, which ultimately helped the US and Allied Forces win World War II.

Begay enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 at the age of 16. He was selected as one of the 33 Navajo Code Talkers to be assigned to the renowned 5th Marine Division Signal Company and in the Radio Section of the H & S Company, 27th Marines. The Navajo Code Talkers developed and used a secret coded Navajo language for radio communication in the Marine Corps battle campaign. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Private First Class Begay transmitted hundreds of secret messages over the radio network from H-Hour, 19 February 1945 to 27 March 1945. The Navajo Code Talkers were so effective that the Japanese cryptographers were completely baffled and were never able to break that code. Major Howard M. Conner, signal officer of the Fifth Marine Division at Iwo Jima said: “during the first 48 hours while we were landing and consolidating our shore positions, I had six Navajo radio networks operating around the clock. In that period along, they sent and received over 800 messages without an error. Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima and win the war”.

Thomas H Begay was honorably discharged from the Marines as a Lance Corporal in 1946. He then served in the US Army during the Korean War as a parachutist, glider-man and in combat with the 7th Infantry Division in North Korea. He is a survivor of the Chosin Reservoir battle in November to December, 1950 against the Korean and Chinese forces. He was honorably discharged in 1953. Among his many awards are the Presidential Unit Citation with three Bronze Stars and the Meritorious Unit Citation with the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars. Years later in 2001, he received the Congressional Medal from President George W. Bush.

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[TheDukie]

I was honored to have met Grandfather Thomas Begay in 2008. I and a friend sat with him, as he shared his story as a Code Talker, and his participation on Iwo Jima. We sat and listened for 3 hours. As a gift I gave him an Elk hide I brought.

As we were leaving, Grandfather's grandson came running out. In his hand was the bright orange cap with "CODE TALKER" on the front, that Grandfather had been wearing. On the bill of the cap, it was autographed to me. There was a message in Navaho for me, and it was signed by Grandfather. I donated it to the USMC recruiting station, here in Vancouver Washington, where I live. I also gave them a photo book with his photo and story, along with fellow Code Talkers.

Next to my family, it remains one of the highest points of my life. What an honor it was, I cherish his time always.

Thank you, Grandfather. Rest in peace, your mission here on earth is done.

AHO!

[joshmajor]

An actual code talker…..if people only realized how fortunate we are to hear this!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[conniehanna]

This is what a real hero looks like, thank you for your service 🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷

[eyenvno]

These men truly were "The Greatest Generation"!

[dellalderman]

This guy is just awesome. 17 years old. I could barely tie my shoes when I was 17. He was volunteering to go to war. These WW2 veterans are just another credit to our great nation. Thank you!!!

[Sterlingkataadem]

Thank you for everything you did for this Nation. All of the Code Talkers deserve the highest award for their dedication, courage, and sacrifice.

[courierdog]

Thomas brings a totally different view to the Iwo Jima Campaign, he knew far more that he was saying, such a humble man.

[philbrennaman]

Amazing memory. The amount of detail he remembers is just amazing. I love hearing these older veterans.

[j.dunlop]

God bless him, he and other code talkers, saved thousands by Protecting communications.
Real Heroes!

[dritontitan]

Thomas Bagay thank you for your service with compassion honor and equality We admire you and again thank you Sir.

[robertshrewsbury]

Thomas Begay, I have had the honor to meet Peter MacDonald. You Elders are so Precious!
Thank you!

[joshuarogers]

He is amazing so humble that he is smarter than more people who don’t understand how simple he understood the military learning system.

[waldopepper]

We almost lost the Navajo language to history, thank goodness a few decades ago many of the tribal elders were asked to teach the younger generations the language. I experienced this first hand as growing up in the 60s we were told not to speak Navajo only English.

[barbarapaige]

What a phenomenal man! So articulate and his memory is terrific. He really took you through his experiences and I had to laugh that he was proud he got an 8th grade rating. He's obviously very intelligent, but that generation had to work rather than schooling. The Code Talkers did an amazing job, and were so brave. We are so fortunate to have had them win our freedom. My Dad was in combat in Europe, and these tales are so stirring, and help me to understand somewhat what he went through.

[rickwarner]

...Give a smile, a nod, a handshake, a pat on the back, a hug, or a salute, to every military veteran you see...And tell them thank you for everything they sacrifice for us...Honor, love, and remember them, they truly deserve it!!!

[chaplainand]

Bless his heart.
America, wake up, repent, honor those who served with your own life of service and commitment to Liberty and Freedom, and bless God, Great Spirit.

[misswolfmoon]

Shi Chi thank u for sharing your story. My great grandpa was from Pinehill he signed up for Marines at 17 too. He became a code talker he was sent to Saipan. Your a brave man, a warrior thank you for putting the Navajos in history.

[sgt.duke.mc_]

Thomas Begay--Salute, Sir. I was in the Marine Corps (& Vietnam 20 months) & hardly any mention at all were given the "Code Talkers" during any training. My 1st exposure came from a Navajo who joined our squad in Vietnam (his uncle had been a code talker) & spoke very little of it, only limited responses to direct questions. Maybe the Nicholas Cage movie "Wind Talkers" is the most & best recognition they have ever got, which is a blight on US history. The lives saved by the "Code Talkers" cannot be calculated. Historical value of these interviews is solid platinum! {:-) ✌

[scottdahl]

What a man - much respect to Thomas and all who served ...

[XHollisWood]

Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage for freedom