Thomas Claw, a member of the Navajo Nation who served as a Code Talker during World War II, died on Tuesday. He was 87. Claw enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1934 and was among the soldiers who used the Navajo language to transmit unbreakable codes during the war. He received a Congressional silver medal for his efforts , along with a Purple Heart, two presidential unit citations and other military awards “Just as we bade farewell to one of our honored Code Talkers, we sadly hear of the loss another,” Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. said in a press release. “It is with deep regret that we learned of the passing of Navajo Code Talker Thomas Claw, another of distinguished warriors from World War II.” John Brown Jr., one of the original Navajo Code Talkers, died on May 20 at the age of 88. Get the Story:
Tom Claw, former Navajo Code Talker, dies (The Parker Pioneer 5/27)
Thomas Claw, 87; served as Code Talker in WWII (The Arizona Republic 5/28) Related Stories:
John Brown, original Navajo Code Talker, dies at 88 (5/21)