1. Code Talkers By Colby Miller, Mikayla Kocan, Nicholas Lamoreaux, Noah Fassman

2. PHILIP JOHNSTON'S IDEA Philip Johnston believed that the Navajo’s could create their own code. Philip Johnston’s idea could be implemented quickly. A code could be in place before the end of 1942. Because Navajo is an unwritten language sending messages would be simple once everything was in place.

3. THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS Philip Johnston, a 40- year-old civilian, wanted to be involved in the program as an instructor. Many Navajo’s lived in rural log cabins and could live for days without food. It was nearly impossible for the drill sergeants to “get to” the Navajos.

4. Because of it’s strategic location Saipan was a much- needed base of operation for the Allies, on June 15 1944 the 2 nd and 4 th and U.S Marine Divisions would be joined by the U.S.

5. Battle in Saipan Saipan is the largest of fifteen islands in the western Pacific Ocean known as the Marianas. Japanese forces held the strategically significant island on 15 June 1944 when America launched its amphibious attackheldlaunched amphibious

6. Code Talkers avoid Disaster Days passed and, with Army support, the Marines were able to take over key enemy fortifications. Using a mountain gun they captured from the Japanese, Marines turned the gun on Garapan, the administrative center of the island.

7. Banzia Charge General Holland Smith, one of the most famous Marines of World War II, predicted the attack was coming. His men knew it too. One of them recalled what happened:Holland Smith

8. SAIPAN "SECURED News that Saipan had been lost to the Allies shocked the Japanese government The Premier, Hideki Tojo, resigned.

9. WINDTALKERS In 1942, when the original 29 code talkers developed their "secret weapon," there were about 50,000 members of the Navajo nation. By the end of the war, 540 men had served as Marines. At least 400 of those were trained code talkers. Many had learned the 411-word vocabulary at Camp Pendleton where the secret operation was moved (from Camp Elliot) early in 1943.

10. CODE TALKERS HONORED In the rotunda of the Capitol, on 26 July 2001, the four survivors met the President. After introducing each of them, he extoled their accomplishments. In addition to the medals, the President issued a Proclamation declaring November 2001 as National American Indian Heritage Month.