Navajo Code Talkers Honored for Service

Re “Navajos Honored for War of Words,” July 26: I have done considerable reading about the Navajo code talkers. In her definitive book, “The Navajo Code Talkers,” Doris A. Paul meticulously documented her conversations with many of the people who took part in this phenomenal effort. It seems that whoever tells the tale today leaves out the originator of the idea, Philip Johnston. His father was a missionary on the Navajo reservation, so Philip was there from the time he was 4 years old until he was an adult. All of his playmates and friends were Navajo. He was thoroughly conversant with their language and customs. It was Johnston who, in early 1942, persuaded the commandant of the Marine Corps to let him demonstrate (with Navajo friends) why the language would be ideal for the code.

When the code talkers were finally honored in 1968, Johnston was among them and was also honored for his diligence and foresight in bringing forth the idea and assisting in its implementation. He was widely respected by his Navajo friends until his death in the 1970s.

And, guess what? When he started the ball rolling, he was a civil engineer for Los Angeles, living right here in Eagle Rock.

Keith Allen

Eagle Rock

Thank you for featuring this article. It made me very happy to hear that these brave men were finally honored with a Congressional Gold Medal for the skillful use of their native language.

Cynthia C. Ramirez

Boyle Heights