John Kinsel Sr, one of the last Navajo Code Talkers died Saturday at age 107.
Kinsel was one of about 400 Navajos who became Code Talkers during World War II, using the Diné language to develop a code that was deemed “unbreakable.” According to a 2022 story from the Associated Press, Kinsel was one of just three Code Talkers still alive. The others are Peter MacDonald and Thomas Begay, both of whom are still alive.
“Beyond (Kinsel’s) legacy of a warrior, he was also a proud Navajo man who upheld the values of his heritage while serving his country with distinction,” Navajo Nation speaker Crystalyne Curley said. “As we honor his life, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones, and the entire Navajo Nation. May his spirit rest in peace, and may his memory continue to inspire generations to come.”
Kinsel was born and lived in Lukachukai, Arizona, a small town located in between the town of Many Farms and the Arizona-New Mexico state line on the Navajo Nation. Kinsel served as a Code Talker in the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima.