New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Lowers State Flags in Honor of Original Navajo Code Talker John Brown

May 22, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson has signed an executive order lowering flags to half staff in honor and mourning of one of the original Navajo Code Talkers, John Brown Jr., 88, who passed away at his home in Crystal, NM on Wednesday. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday, May 26th.

“New Mexico has lost a treasure – as we face our current struggles and uncertain times ahead, we may take comfort in knowing we had such notable and excellent examples to follow from the Navajo Code Talkers,” said Governor Richardson. “New Mexicans and all Americans owe Mr.

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Brown and each of the Code Talkers a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made to guarantee the freedom that we enjoy today."

Mr. Brown was born in Chinle, Arizona in 1921. He attended Chinle Boarding School and graduated from the Albuquerque Indian School. Brown enlisted in the Marines soon after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942 and was part of an all-Navajo platoon assigned to create a unique code that would ultimately help to end World War II.

John Brown Jr. was one of the original Code Talkers who developed an unbreakable code used to transit messages during World War II. There were several hundred Code Talkers, but Brown was one of the originals who helped to create the Navajo based code. Brown and the remaining original Code Talkers were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bush in 2001 for their service during the War.

He would go on help create the Navajo government and served on the Navajo Tribal Council for twenty years. Brown also served three terms as Crystal Chapter President. John Brown retired about eight years ago after working as a traditional counselor for the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services.

Mr. Brown is survived by his wife Loncie Polacca Brown and his children Bernice Brown, an adopted daughter Kathy Glenabah Brown, Dorothy Whilden, Preston Brown, Everett Brown, Virgil Brown and Frank Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents Nonabah Begay and John Brown, and two children Dale Brown and Ruth Ann McComb.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley has also lowered flags in honor of Brown across the reservation.

In memory of John Brown Jr., Governor Richardson signed an Executive Order directing flags be flown at half-staff from Monday, May 25, 2009 through sundown Tuesday, May 26, 2009.

Full text of the Executive Order follows:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2009-017

FLAGS FLOWN AT HALF STAFF IN HONOR AND MOURNING OF JOHN BROWN, JR.

WHEREAS, John Brown, Jr., one of the last original Navajo Code Talkers, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at the age of 88 in Crystal, NM;

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown was born December 24, 1921, in Chinle, Arizona. He attended Chinle Boarding School and graduated in 1940 from Albuquerque Indian School;

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 at which time he went to Fort Wingate to the military installation. He was immediately sent to Camp Pendleton for basic training, they weren’t allowed to go home to say goodbye to their family. During their basic training they were told that they were all there for a special reason, and they were to devise a code in their language. The code and the Code Talkers would help end World War II. The Navajo Code Talkers participated in battles in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. Brown was one of the original 29 Code Talkers presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush in 2001, 56 years following World War II. President Nixon awarded Navajo Code Talkers a special certificate in appreciation for their patriotism, resourcefulness and courage in 1971. The Navajo Code was the only military code never broken;

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown also trained as a welder, then becoming a journeyman and master carpenter and cabinetmaker. He returned to Navajo land and helped to build the Navajo government by serving as a member of the Navajo Tribal Council from 1962 to 1982. He also served three terms as Crystal Chapter President. Mr. Brown began a second career as a traditional counselor for the tribe’s Division of Social Services. Later he went on a lecture tour speaking about the Navajo Code Talkers around the country and becoming active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association;

WHEREAS, Mr. Brown is survived by his wife Loncie Polacca Brown and his children Bernice Brown, an adopted daughter Kathy Glenabah Brown, Dorothy Whilden, Preston Brown, Everett Brown, Virgil Brown and Frank Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents Nonabah Begay and John Brown, and two children Dale Brown and Ruth Ann McComb; and WHEREAS, John Brown Jr.’s service and dedication to New Mexico will always be remembered.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Laws of the State of New Mexico, do hereby order that all flags be flown at half-staff from Monday, May 25, 2009, until sundown Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in honor and mourning of John Brown, Jr. The thoughts and prayers of the people of New Mexico go out to his family as well as a heartfelt thank you for his years of dedication and service.

ATTEST: DONE AT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE THIS 22ND DAY OF MAY, 2009

MARY HERRERA WITNESS MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

BILL RICHARDSON

GOVERNOR OF NEW MEXICO

Source: New Mexico Governor