Navajo Code Talker Honored As President Shelly Orders Flags to be Flown at Half-staff

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Marine Cpl Joe Morris Sr

WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA - Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly announced today that he has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the late Navajo Code Talker and US Marine Corporal Joe Morris Sr., 85, of Indian Wells, Arizona. He passed away from health complications on July 17, in Riverside, California.

"Today, the Navajo Nation honors the late Corporal Joe Morris Sr. who proudly served our country as a Navajo Code Talker and transmitted a battlefield code never broken by the enemy," said President Shelly.

"To his wife Charlotte Morris, our condolences and prayers go out to the family and grandchildren," continued President Shelly.

Along with 420 other Navajo Code Talkers, Corporal Morris Sr. served in the US Marine Corps during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He toured with the 6th Marine Division 22nd Regiment in Guadalcanal, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, Tinstao and China. After he was honorably discharged, Cpl. Morris was awarded combat ribbons for the Pacific Theater, medals for the China Occupation and as a rifle expert, and certificates of appreciation from President George W. Bush and the California Senate.

On November 25, 2001, he received the Silver Congressional Medal in Window Rock, along with the remaining 200 Navajo Code Talkers.

Born in 1926, he was of the Kin'lichii'nii Clan born for the Tse'ji'kini Clan, Ta'baa'hi are his maternal grandfathers and To'sto'nii Clan are his paternal grandfathers.

Corporal Morris was married to Charlotte Morris, with three surviving children, Joseph Morris Jr., Colleen Anderson and Elliott Morris, and three grandchildren. His parents are the late Charley and Alice Morris of Indian Wells.

Funeral Services will be held in Riverside, California.

updated July 21, 2011 5:25 pm edt; posted July 21, 2011 7:45 am edt