Original WWII Navajo ‘Code Talker’ Dies in Ariz.
- Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:33am by
Meredith Jessup
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A member of an elite group of Marines who developed a code based on their native language during World War II has died.
Although Lloyd Oliver was not an outspoken man during his life, he was very proud to have used his Navajo language as a secret weapon that helped win the war.
Lloyd Oliver was 88
He rarely brought up his time as a Code Talker, but his eyes gleamed when holding a picture of himself in his uniform. He kept a Marine cap and a U.S. flag displayed on his bedroom walls in the home he shared with his wife on the Yavapai Apache Reservation, the Associated Press reports.
Lloyd Oliver’s death this week means that only one of the original 29 Navajo “Code Talkers” survives — Chester Nez of Albuquerque, N.M.
Oliver was 88 years old when he died at a hospice center in Arizona where he’d spent the past three weeks.
Oliver had signed up for the Marine Corps in 1942 and discharged as a corporal three years later. Oliver was an original member of the Code Talkers, an elite squad who played a role in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific during World War II.
The Code Talkers were instructed not to discuss their roles and felt compelled to honor those orders even after the code was declassified in 1968. Oliver’s military records make just a single mention of “code talker.“ He otherwise was listed as having ”communication duty,“ or listed as ”communication personnel.” His record also focuses on the financial support he provided for his siblings.
“It’s very heartbreaking to know that we are losing our Navajo Code Talkers, and especially one of the original 29 whose stories would be tremendously valuable,” said Yvonne Murphy, secretary of the Navajo Code Talkers Foundation.
Hundreds of Navajos followed in the footsteps of Oliver and the other original Code Talkers, sending thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements, battlefield tactics and other communications critical to the war’s ultimate outcome.
Navajo President Ben Shelly called Oliver a “national treasure” and ordered flags lowered across the reservation in his honor.
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peteto1
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 2:01amTHANK YOU, sir, from the bottom of my heart!! Your family and the NATION, as well as the American Indian nations, should be eternally proud (as well as grateful) for your bravery and service. Mr. Oliver, YOU are what made, and makes, the United States the greatest nation on the face of the earth!………God Bless you and take care of you…
Report Post »Patrick Rose
Posted on March 21, 2011 at 12:48amThank you for your service. My dad was in the south pacific in the USMC from 1942-1945 and was assigned to keep the code talkers safe . Man I heard some awesome story’s…Wow I will never forget!!
Report Post »Thank you dad . Semper Fi
B-Neil
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 11:53pmGode Bess him and may his spirit sour high and proud………Carry on McDuff
Report Post »chips1
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 9:25pmYour sacrafice allowed us to live free from evil. The only way to repay you is to continue fighting against those that work for Marxist change. Pray to God for help. Seems like we need His help!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 8:12pmMr. Oliver,
Thank you so very much. I could weep that we have let you slip from our presence without great fanfare and such. We owe you and your generation so much. We need you all here now to help us. We are leaderless, Mr. Oliver. Please know AMERICA misses you, your character, your fortitude, your courage. And, please forgive us all the wrongs we did against you and your fellow Code-Talkers. Forgive us our ignorance and self-absorption.
Thank YOU GOD for such men as these. We need more of their ilk here, now. LORD, we know YOU are our one, true leader and for that we are truly grateful. JESUS, if YOU will, please send us some men and women who are true to YOU, who believe in AMERICA, to be our leaders in all areas of society and even, most especially, in our churches. Thank YOU, LORD, for being our anchor, for forgiving us when we have failed YOU and YOUR children. We are very slow learners, LORD.
We love YOU.
Report Post »searcher8
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 4:19pmto Lloyed and his family, i owe a debet of gratitude that i just dont know how to repay. i was born well after Lloyds’ service, and am thankful for my freedom. i can only say whole heartedly thank you and you are one of the reasons i am proud to be an American.
Report Post »Danaman
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 4:05pmMay God bless you. You are a Hero from the word go.
Report Post »garylee123
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:24pmThank you and God bless.
Report Post »Star Spangled
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 11:12amAhe’hee , Ahiga .
Report Post »MaggieRose
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 10:06amGod Bless you, sir, for your faithful service… I can just picture all the angels standing at full attention and saluting as you entered heaven’s gates. And how much fun you must be having discussing great battle maneuvers with King David and other great warriors! Semper Fi
Report Post »Seasoldier
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 8:55amOOORAH! Well done, Marine! May you rest in peace as you join the Marine Detachment that guards the streets of heaven. Your fellow Marines salute you. Semper Fi.
Report Post »Ozymandias
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:12amsaepe expertus, semper fidelis, fratres aeterni!
Report Post »excelizen (a goal, not a title!)
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:05am12:56 AM… in about 6 hours my children will hear the story of Mr. Oliver, specifically. They will again have an opportunity to recognize the price paid for their liberty as another sentinal of our nation’s heritage is laid to rest. We must never forget! . Thank the Lord for those who serve, and have served our country! Especially those who did so at a time when their heritage was not often respected much less appreciated. Mr. Oliver’s family needs to know too that there are litterally millions of us who appreciate his service to our country. The rest of those in this country who seek to do this country harm also need to recognize the spirit of a patriot and to what extent we will serve and sacrafice!
Report Post »greyrider
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:01amA shining example of The Greatest Generation.
Here’s to Mr. Oliver and all the men and women that give of themselves selflessly so that others can live free.
Report Post »QuietRiot
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 11:31pmThe Code Talkers Hall Salutes you Great Marine Brother……..
Report Post »Buddycarb
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 9:41pmJob well done.
Report Post »God Bless His Soul.
dcart888
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:47pmsemper fi
Report Post »davecoolworld
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 9:03pmJust two days ago, I was telling my fiancee how important these men were to our ultimate success in WWII.
We figured out the enigma system…our answer was the “Code Talkers”. The Nazis never had a chance with the honor and patriotism proven by these men.
G-d bless America.
Lt. Col. Allen West for President.
Report Post »Fina Biscotti
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 8:20pmGod Bless him!
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 7:29pmGod bless him, he is a true hero!
Report Post »Stehekin912
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 6:55pmThank you, Mr. Oliver, for your good service, for your selflessness and generosity. You and all the Code Talkers are greatly respected, and you and those who have gone before us are greatly missed.
Thank you, sir.
I hope the Navvajo Code Talkers Foundation will ask Mr. Nez to recount his experiences, and the Foundation will record them for posterity. Such bravery should be remembered, if not for its own sake, then for the sake of inspiration of all of us, and especially for the young people.
Report Post »thegrassroots
Posted on March 19, 2011 at 9:33pmI Agree! These are the Heroes and they need to be Remembered and Honored and Claim Their Places In History. Truly, The Greatest Generation! Rest In Peace Marine Corporal Lloyd Oliver! And, Thank You Sir!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:16amMay God put your soul in his hall of fame. Job well done!
Report Post »THANK YOU SIR!
GRANNYMOO
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:43amAdd your comments
Report Post »GRANNYMOO
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 1:52amThank you sir, and thanks to all the Code Talkers! I grew up on stories of your bravery, and I also would love to see your history recorded by “0ne who was there”. God bless you all, and God Bless America!
Report Post »copper
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 2:08amThe Navajo Code Talkers were a special group who served a nation well that had not served them well. What a testament of their character. I fear that this type of honor and character is becoming rare as the WWII generation faces their final hours. I pray they don’t see this nation fall as they gave so much and we have not honored their sacrifice by cherishing their legacy and continuing it.
God grant us the faith, courage and strength of character to be more like them.
God Bless You, Lloyd Oliver, thank you.
Report Post »ottodiedacktick
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 6:32amMr. Oliver, rest in peace, may God comfort you, and may your spirit of selflessness live on in all of us.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 10:52amA truly elite force of great men. I’m proud of each and every one of you. May the Great Spirit Bless you!
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on March 20, 2011 at 4:24pmTruly Original Heroes
Report Post »You are the last of a proud, quiet competent unit that punched well above your weight. We will miss you.
Semper Fidelis