John Benally

File — Box: 1, Volume: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

John Bennally, a native of Fort Defiance, was twenty-four when he joined the Marines. He was one of the first group of twenty-nine to be recruited, and so helped establish the original code. He was assigned to stay in the United States and recruit other Navajos. He chose them from other units of service according to how much education they had. They passed the same physical tests that the other Marines did. Bennally was not sent overseas until 1944. He helped train men on Hawaii and then was sent to Okinawa. He operated the radio from the first day that he was there, and was never told if the messages were top priority or secret. He states being glad he was in the war because afterwards he went to college on the G.I. bill.

Dates

1971

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.