Rep. Kirkpatrick Mourns Death of Navajo Code Talker Willard V. Oliver

16 October 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Ann Kirkpatrick today released the following statement mourning the loss of Willard V. Oliver, a Navajo Code Talker from Lukachukai who passed away Wednesday at the age of 88:

“The loss of Mr. Oliver deeply saddened me. Through his service as a Code Talker, Mr. Oliver did so much for this Nation. I would like to extend my sympathies to Mr. Oliver’s friends and family.

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“During World War Two and the Korean War, Navajo Code Talkers saved countless American lives. Mr. Oliver’s service to our country as a distinguished representative of the Diné people will be remembered.

“We must do much more for Diné fighting men and women. In honor of Mr. Oliver and his fellow Marines, I will continue my work to help Veterans across Navajo Nation and in rural communities nationwide.”

BACKGROUND:

Willard Oliver, who yesterday died at the age of 88 at the Bob Stump VA Medical Center in Prescott, was the fifth Navajo Code Talker to pass away since May. Oliver’s health had been declining for the past two years.

Though long forgotten by this country, the Navajo Code Talkers were a critical part of our war effort in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 and later in the Korean War. The code used the Diné language to allow our military to communicate without risk of enemy forces intercepting our secrets. The lack of knowledge of the language by non-Navajo made the code virtually indecipherable to the Japanese.

Despite their successes and their bravery at battles from Guadalcanal to Okinawa, the story of the Navajo Code Talkers remained largely unknown for many years. The code was not declassified until 1968, and their contributions were not recognized for decades afterwards.

Finally, on July 26, 2001, President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the 29 original Code Talkers in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. More than 200 other Code Talkers were later honored with the Congressional Silver Medal in a November, 2001 ceremony in Window Rock.

“I am proud to be a Code Talker. And I know we counted for something great, and that we fought to maintain our freedom and for our sacred land,” said Oliver.

Rep. Kirkpatrick, who represents Navajo Nation, will honor the life and service to country of Oliver in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Source: Representative Ann Kirkpatrick