Navajo Code Talker Jimmie Begay: A Look at a Fallen War Hero

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Code Talker Sgt Jimmie Begay

SAWMILL, ARIZONA - Before he finished high school, 17 year old, Navajo Jimmie Begay left home to go fight in World War II in November 1942. From the small town of Fort Wingate, New Mexico, he boarded a bus for Camp Pendleton, California, where he completed boot camp before transferring to Camp Elliot to train as a Navajo Code Talker.

His high school diploma came three years later, after his military service.

After communications school, he served in the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion. He attained the rank of sergeant in the Marine Corps. Fighting in the Pacific front, Begay took part in campaigns at Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Saipan, and Tinian.

Code Talker Sergeant Jimmie Begay passed away on Wednesday. He was 86 years old.

In what would become his first major battle of the war, he was ordered to descend a rope ladder from a ship into a landing craft.

"I spent the next fourteen days straight in a hell of a battle! I was only armed with a rifle, handgun, and a radio and sent non-stop messages to the regiment headquarters on the battleship,"

he stated as he recalled his first major battle of the war to author Nathan Aaseng for "Navajo Code Talkers," published in 2002.

Sergeant Begay explained to Aaseng how the allied forces at Guadalcanal were forced to withdraw and stranding the marines with only a thirty-seven day, food supply.

"I was never so scared in my entire life,"

he said. Begay went on to earn numerous commendations for his brave and honorable feats in the Pacific, including the Congressional Silver Medal in 2001.

After he completed his stint as a Navajo Code Talker 1945, Begay received an honorable discharge. He then finished his schooling at Santa Fe Indian High School. After his military service, Begay spent many years working for the Navajo Forest Products industry. He retired in 1985.

Sergeant Begay lost his wife, Sophie, last August. He moved in with his son, Thurman of Sawmill, Arizona and remained there until he fell down and suffered severe head injuries that led to his death.

Granddaughters, Jacquelyn A. Begay and Janelle R. Begay and great granddaughter Ellena, lovingly provided his daily care for their grandfather until he was hospitalized.

He continued to be involved with the Navajo Code Talkers Association until the time of his death.

posted February 3, 2012 6:00 am est