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Edmond A. Harjo, Code Talker from Seminole Nation, passes away






The late Edmond Andrew Harjo went to Washington, D.C., for the Congressional Code Talkers ceremony. November 20, 2013. Photo © Indianz.Com

Edmond Andrew Harjo, a member of the Seminole Nation who served as a Code Talker during World War II, died this morning.

Harjo and his fellow Seminole soldiers -- including his brothers -- used their language to transmit unbreakable codes. The late veteran was recognized for his service by Congress last year.

"Edmond and his brothers were at Normandy. They were on Iwo Jima,"Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), the Speaker of the House, said at a November 20, 2013, ceremony to honor the Code Talkers from 33 tribes. "They mobilized the simplest weapon: language."

Harjo was 96 when he traveled to Washington, D.C., to accept the Congressional Gold Medal for his tribe and a Silver Medal for himself and his family. He was the only living Code Talker who was able to make the journey.

Related Stories:
Congress honors 33 tribes for sending Code Talkers into battle (11/21)
Code Talkers receive long overdue honors for service in military (11/20)
Code Talkers to receive Congressional Gold Medal at US Capitol (11/18)

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