The Iraqi interpreter who became the Navy SEALs' most trusted translator and saved countless American lives

Last night on the Wilkow! program, Andrew Wilkow had on guests Johnny Walker and Jim DeFelice (also of "American Sniper"), co-authors of "Code Name: Johnny Walker: The Extraordinary Story of the Iraqi Who Risked Everything to Fight With U.S. Navy Seals."

Their new memoir tells the story of the Iraqi known by his code-name, Johnny Walker, who went well above and beyond his duties as an interpreter to help save countless American lives, leading him to be rewarded with a new life in America...along with a $50,000 Al Qaeda bounty on his head.

Johnny Walker on Wilkow!. (Image Source: Wilkow! screengrab)

Having originally volunteered to serve in the U.S. military following the Iraq invasion in order to provide for his family, Walker became a valuable asset not only because of his language skills but his valor in executing missions, such as detaining a terrorist cell leader single-handedly.

[instory-book ISBN="9780062267559"]

He attracted the attention of our Navy SEALs and ultimately would serve on one mission per day with practically every SEAL team, totaling over 1,000 missions.

Given his success in interrogation and carrying out missions more broadly, he became a target in Iraq, with his brother Hamid assassinated by terrorists for "working with the enemy."

Later there would be failed direct assassination attempts on Walker's life as well.

In 2009, at the urging of the SEALs, Walker was admitted to the U.S. where he was provided a job giving language instruction for active duty SEALs.

During the interview on Wilkow!, author Jim DeFelice noted that Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in American military history, said that Johnny Walker saved more SEALs and Iraqis than I did, and actually was the key driving force behind the publishing of Walker's story itself.

Check out two clips from Wilkow's interview with Johnny Walker and his co-author below, the first on Walker's work with the SEALs and decision to come to America, and the second on the mission that solidified Johnny's standing with the SEALs as a warrior, and brother, forever.

And be sure to check out the book, which has been met with rave reviews on both Amazon (4.1/5 stars) and Goodreads (3.69/5 stars).

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