John Kinsel Sr., one of the last living Navajo Code Talkers, died at the age of 107 on October 19, 2024, at his house in Lukachukai, Arizona. His death symbolizes the end of an era, as the number of Navajo Code Talkers who served in World War II continues to decline, with only two known veterans, Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay, remaining.
Kinsel was born in Cove, Arizona, and grew up at a difficult time, losing his father and younger brother at a young age. Despite these challenges, he completed high school and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. John Kinsel Sr joined the second group of Navajo Code Talkers, where he helped revise and implement the clandestine code based on the Navajo language. During the Pacific wars, the United States military relied heavily on this impenetrable communication medium.
John Kinsel Sr served as a Code Talker in some of the Pacific’s most deadly battles, including Guadalcanal, Guam, Bougainville, and Iwo Jima. The Navajo Code Talkers’ ability to safely convey important military intelligence about troop movements and battle strategy was critical to the Allied forces’ triumph. “Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances,” said Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who ordered flags to be flown at half-staff throughout the Navajo Nation until October 27 in honor of Kinsel.
During World War II, the United States military looked to Native American languages to develop codes that were resistant to enemy decoding. Among more than 400 Native American code talkers, the Navajo Code Talkers rose to prominence, with the Diné language serving as the foundation for the code used to send impenetrable military messages. These Code Talkers’ contributions not only helped secure communications, but also saved numerous lives during the war.
The code, which had no written form and was based on the complicated Navajo language, proved so powerful that Japanese cryptographers were unable to decipher it throughout the war. The Code Talkers played an important role in critical operations, including the assault on Iwo Jima, where they sent over 800 error-free signals in 48 hours, contributing greatly to the victory.
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John Kinsel’s Service and Recognition
Kinsel’s odyssey began in 1942, when he reported to Camp Elliott, not realizing he would be joining a pioneering group of soldiers. Following rigorous training, he traveled with the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division, eventually taking part in some of the bloodiest battles of WWII. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, John Kinsel Sr was injured when an explosion caused by Japanese forces sent rocks flying into him. He served until the end of 1945 and returned to the United States later that year.
Despite his gallantry, Kinsel Sr was not awarded the Purple Heart until 1989, decades after being wounded in action. In 2001, he received the Congressional Silver Medal for his remarkable achievements as a Code Talker.
Life After the War
Following his military duty, John Kinsel Sr went to Arizona and resided in the Navajo village of Lukachukai. He dedicated his postwar life to education and community service, being a revered figure who upheld and shared the Navajo Code Talkers’ history. His son, Ronald Kinsel, has spoken of his father’s long and successful life, underlining that the Code Talkers’ achievements would be recognized as a watershed moment in history.
The death of John Kinsel Sr. serves as a reminder of the Navajo Code Talkers’ incredible bravery and long legacy, whose contributions helped affect the outcome of World War II. Their efforts are still being recognized as the remaining soldiers and their families share stories to guarantee that these heroes are never forgotten.
As we bid farewell to another iconic Navajo Code Talker, we can reflect on their incredible dedication and the critical role they played in securing freedom during one of history’s darkest episodes.
