Code Talker Jimmy Lee Benally to be Laid to Rest

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Navajo Nation Flag at Half-Staff

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA - Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly announced today that flags are to be flown at half-staff on September 27-30, 2011, to honor the late Navajo Code Talker and US Marine Private First Class, Jimmy Lee Benally of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. Benally passed away from natural causes last Wednesday, September 21 at his home in Barstow, California surrounded by loved ones.

“The Navajo Nation salutes PFC Jimmy Benally, a Code Talker who transmitted unbreakable linguistic codes on the battlefield,”

said Navajo Nation President Shelly. "To his family and friends, our condolences and prayers go out to you."

Private First Class Jimmy Benally served in the US Marine Corp from 1943 to 1945. He partook in operations against enemy forces on Marshall Islands in 1944 and in Iwo Jima in 1945. After he was honorably discharged on Nov. 28, 1945, his Major, King Moss, recognized his services as excellent. Among other marks were recognitions for presidential unit citation and a certificate of satisfactory service.

His funeral service will be held today at 9 am in the Teec Nos Pos Christian Reformed Church. He will be honored with a 21-gun salute. Jimmy Benally was 86 years old.

He moved to Barstow after leaving the Marine Corp. There, he found a job and met his wife Inez R. Benally and later started a family. Jimmy retired from the workforce as a Labor Foreman for Santa Fe Railroad and as a Lumber Yard Forklift Operator for Hayward Lumber Yard. Later, the hard working PFC would return to the workforce as a part-time employee of Valley Lumber.

A true family man, Jimmy loved to participate in family events that encouraged a solid foundation and teamwork. He leaves behind his two daughters, three sons, eight grandchildren, one brother and five sisters.

Jimmy lost his parents, Capitan and Eloise Benally and two brothers Harrison and Harry Benally, before his death. He will be laid to rest next to his parents at Teec Nos Pos Cemetery.

posted September 27, 2011 6:00 am edt