Navajo Code Talkers Day

September 11, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Arizona Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations

For the second year in a row, the Governor’s Office on Tribal Relations was honored to collaborate with the Phoenix Indian Center to recognize Navajo Code Talker Day at the Arizona State Capitol.

On August 14, the community gathered to reflect on the bravery and extraordinary service of the Dine´ Marines who used Dine´ bizaad (the Navajo language) to create an unbreakable code that contributed to victory in the Pacific in World War II.

President Ronald Reagan designated August 14 as National Navajo Code Talker Day and in his proclamation wrote, “equipped with the only foolproof, unbreakable code in the history of warfare, the code talkers confused the enemy with an earful of sounds never before heard by code experts. The dedication and unswerving devotion to duty shown by the men of the Navajo Nation in serving as radio code talkers in the Marine Corps during World War II should serve as a fine example for all Americans.”

Jason Chavez, Tribal Affairs Director, led as Master of Ceremony for the event which also included participation from David Z. Bean, Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, journalist Colton Shone, and Corporal Lawrence Lano, Vice Commander of the Ganado Veterans Organization. Also in attendance were descendants of Navajo Code Talkers, numerous veterans’ organizations, and Lance Corporal Thomas H. Begay. Mr. Begay enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and deployed as a Navajo Code Talker with the 5th Marine Division to the Pacific Islands. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Begay transmitted hundreds of secret messages over the radio network. He was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1946 and went on to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. Among his many awards are the Presidential Unit Citation with three Bronze Stars, and the Meritorious Unit Citation with the Korean Service Medal with five Bronze Stars. In 2001, he received the Congressional Silver Medal from President George W. Bush.

Dylan Dalzotto, Assistant Deputy Director, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, presented a proclamation from Governor Katie Hobbs designating August 14, 2026, as Navajo Code Talkers Day in Arizona.