Tribal Holiday Honors Navajo Men who Stumped Japanese in War

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is honoring the men who stumped the Japanese in World War II using a code based on their native language. A parade and ceremony are planned Friday in the tribal capital of Window Rock for Navajo Code Talker Day.

Tribal lawmakers designated Aug. 14 a tribal holiday in 2006. About 16 of the hundreds of Navajos who served as Code Talkers during the war still are alive today. The code was developed by an original group of 29 Navajo men recruited from the reservation. Their role in the war wasn't declassified until 1968.

Code Talkers, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Gov. Doug Ducey, Navajo President Russell Begaye and Tribal Council Speaker LoRenzo Bates are among those expected at Friday's ceremony. Navajo Nation government employees get the day off.