WWII’s Best-Kept Secret? This Hero’s Story Will Make You Gasp!

John Kinsel Sr., a Marine and one of the last Navajo Code Talkers, passed away peacefully at 107, leaving behind a legacy of courage and dedication. As part of a historic group of Navajo men who helped the Allied forces in World War II by using their native language to send encrypted messages, Kinsel’s contributions were instrumental in securing victory in the Pacific.

The Navajo Code Talkers, a group of Navajo Marines, played a vital role in World War II by using an unbreakable code based on their language. These men transmitted essential military information, such as troop movements and tactical plans, through a system that the enemy could not decipher. The code was used in crucial battles like Iwo Jima, with its success aiding in the victory of the Allied forces. It was a complex code that even Japan’s finest cryptographers couldn’t crack, ensuring that sensitive information remained secure.

Tributes poured in following Kinsel’s passing. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed the sorrow and respect felt by many, saying, “Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker.” Nygren also honored Kinsel by ordering flags to be flown at half-staff for a week across the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo code was unique in that it developed new words for military terms that did not exist in the Navajo language. Words like “besh-lo,” meaning “iron fish” for “submarine,” and “dah-he-tih-hi,” or “hummingbird” for “fighter plane,” became essential parts of the code. As noted by the intelligence community, “This system enabled the code talkers to translate three lines of English in 20 seconds, not 30 minutes as was common with existing code-breaking machines.”

Kinsel’s son, Ronald, shared a poignant tribute to his father: “Cheii passed early this morning in his sleep… He was waiting for the first snow to take his spiritual journey. Moisture lifted his footprints this morning.” Kinsel lived a life full of accomplishments, and his work alongside the other Code Talkers forever changed history.

Born in Cove, Arizona, Kinsel remained dedicated to his Navajo roots throughout his life. He was a respected figure in his community, advocating for the rights of Indigenous people. He often attended ceremonies to honor the Code Talkers and shared his experiences with younger generations. His role as a Marine began in 1942, serving in significant battles in Iwo Jima, Guam, and Bougainville Island. Though not on the front lines, Kinsel played a critical part in developing and transmitting the codes that kept the military’s strategies safe from the enemy.

Kinsel’s service was recognized in his later years with a Purple Heart in 1989 and a Congressional Silver Medal in 2001. His legacy, along with the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers, has been immortalized, even becoming the subject of the 2002 film “Windtalkers,” directed by John Woo.

With Kinsel’s passing, only two Navajo Code Talkers remain: Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay. Their extraordinary work continues to be a vital piece of both Navajo and American history, ensuring that future generations remember their bravery and innovation during one of the most challenging times in world history.