John Kinsel Sr., one of the last surviving Navajo code talkers who played a crucial role in the US and its allies winning World War II, passed away at the age of 107 over the weekend. His death has left only two living Navajo code talkers, Thomas Begay and Peter MacDonald, both in their 90s. John Kinsel Sr., who was a long-time resident of Lukachakai, Arizona, was part of a group of about 400 Navajo members who used their native Dine language to create a code that helped the US military communicate securely during the war.
Kinsel enlisted with the US marines in 1942 and served in the ninth regiment and third division during the battle of Iwo Jima against Japan. The code that he helped develop played a crucial role in ensuring the security of military operations during campaigns in Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa. Despite the importance of their work, the code talkers’ project remained classified for many years, and even the Navajo nation was unaware of their contributions.
After the declassification of the Navajo code talkers project in 1968, Kinsel and his colleagues were publicly recognized for their significant contribution to the war effort. The US now commemorates Navajo Code Talkers Day annually on 14 August, and their story was brought to the big screen in the 2002 film Windtalkers.
In a statement, Navajo nation speaker Crystalyne Curley praised Kinsel for both his military service and his commitment to preserving his Navajo heritage. Navajo governing council delegate Carl Slater also hailed Kinsel as “an American hero” who dedicated his life to sharing the story of the Navajo Code Talkers with future generations.
Navajo nation president Buu Nygren expressed his condolences upon learning of Kinsel’s passing from his son, Ronald. In a statement, Ronald Kinsel emphasized the lasting impact of his father’s achievements and pledged to continue sharing his father’s story to keep his memory alive.
John Kinsel Sr.’s legacy as a Navajo code talker and war hero will always be remembered for his bravery, dedication, and contribution to the Allied victory in World War II. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Native American soldiers and their invaluable role in shaping history.