John Kinsel Sr., one of the few remaining Navajo code talkers who played a critical role in the Allied victory during World War II, has passed away at the age of 107, according to officials. His death, which occurred on Saturday, leaves only two surviving Navajo code talkers: Thomas Begay and Peter MacDonald, both in their 90s.
Kinsel, a longtime resident of Lukachukai, Arizona, near the New Mexico border, was among approximately 400 Navajo men who used their native Dine language to develop a code that enabled secure communication for the U.S. military during the war. The Navajo code was never deciphered by enemy forces, proving instrumental in securing operations during key battles, including Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa.
Kinsel enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 1942, serving in the 9th Regiment and 3rd Division during the battle of Iwo Jima. His contribution, along with that of his fellow code talkers, played a vital role in ensuring the safety and success of American military campaigns in the Pacific. The Navajo Nation honored his legacy in a news release following his death.
For decades after his service, Kinsel's role as a code talker remained classified, even from his fellow Navajo people. In 2015, he recounted that no one knew about his assignment during the war. It wasn't until 1968, when the U.S. military declassified the Navajo code talkers program, that Kinsel and his colleagues were publicly recognized for their significant contribution to defeating Japan and the Axis powers.
In an oral history archived by the Library of Congress, Kinsel recalled sharing an emotional moment with his grandfather upon his return from the war. They celebrated by sharing a cigarette, a gesture that moved his grandfather to tears.
Kinsel’s passing marks the loss of a cherished piece of American and Navajo history, as his legacy continues to be celebrated for helping the U.S. and its allies secure victory during one of the most challenging periods in world history.
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