Willard Varnell Oliver, a member of the Navajo Nation who served as a Code Talker during World War II, died on Wednesday. He was 88.

Oliver used the Navajo language to develop and transmit unbreakable codes. He served in the Pacific theater of the war from 1943 to 1945.

Of the more than 400 Navajo men who served as Code Talkers, fewer than 100 remain. At least five have died this year alone.

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OBIT: Willard Varnell Oliver, 88, Navajo Code Talker during WWII (AP 10/15)
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