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Indianz.Com Video: John Kinsel Sr., oldest Navajo Code Talker, passes on at age of 107
John Kinsel Sr., oldest Navajo Code Talker, passes on
Monday, October 21, 2024
Indianz.Com

John Kinsel Sr., who was the oldest Navajo Code Talker, passed away on Saturday. He was 107.

Kinsel, who was from the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation, enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1942. He was among the hundreds of Navajo citizens who used the Navajo language to transmit messages in an unbreakable code during World War II.

“On behalf of the 25th Navajo Nation Council, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers,” Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, said in a news release on Saturday.

Kinsel served in the Pacific theater during World War II, fighting in the Battle of Bougainville , the Battle of Guam and the Battle of Iwo Jima. After returning to the United States following the end of the global conflict, he was discharged in 1946.

“Beyond his legacy of a warrior, he was also a proud Navajo man who upheld the values of his heritage while serving his country with distinction. As we honor his life, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones, and the entire Navajo Nation,” said Curley, the leader of the tribe’s legislative branch.

President Buu Nygren said he learned about Kinsel’s passing from the late veteran’s family. He ordered ordered all flags on the Navajo Nation to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Sunday, October 20, until sunset on Sunday, October 27.

“Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker,” Nygren said in a news release from the tribe’s executive branch. “He fought alongside his brothers in arms, for the U.S. Marine Corps, for the United States and to protect the Navajo Nation in a time of war.”

“It is appropriate for us to acknowledge, recognize and honor this distinguished man’s life, bravery and steadfast dedication to his family, community of Lukachukai and to the entire Navajo Nation as a model Navajo citizen and warrior,” Nygren said.

President Buu Nygren expresses sincerest condolences to family of the late Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel, Sr.,…

Posted by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren on Saturday, October 19, 2024

Over the weekend, tributes to Kinsel poured in from a number of government officials and politicians. Among them were Ruben Gallego and Kari Lake, the Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively, for U.S. Senate in Arizona.

“Saddened to hear of the passing of John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers, who proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps,” Gallego said in a post on social media on Saturday.

Semper Fi,” added Gallego, who also served in the Marines, invoking the corps’ Latin motto of always faithful.

“John was an American hero, a revered figure amongst Arizona’s incredible Navajo community, who served our country with distinction in the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima,” Lake said in a social media post on Sunday.

In July 2001, the U.S. government awarded Congressional Gold Medals to the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who developed the code for the military. Congressional Silver Medals were awarded to those who followed the first group in service.

Kinsel’s passing leaves the Navajo Nation with just two Code Talkers: Thomas H. Begay and Peter MacDonald, Sr., a former chairman of the tribe.

Social Media Tributes to John Kinsel Sr.

Watch More: John Kinsel Sr. and Navajo Code Talkers

John Kinsel: Navajo Code Talker

Navajo Code Talker Roy Hawthorne Sr

Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald Sr

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John Kinsel Sr.