The next meeting of the Veterans Book Club will be Thursday Dec 2 at 5:30, in Room 301 of the Schurz Library and on Zoom. We will be discussing Code Talker, The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila.
During World War II, the Japanese had managed to crack every code the United States used. However, when the Marines turned to its Navajo recruits to develop and implement a secret military language, they created the only unbroken code in modern warfare—and helped assure victory for the United States over Japan in the South Pacific. This memoir follows Chester Nez from his early years as a herder for his grandmother’s flock in New Mexico, and his experiences at Native American boarding schools through his time as a Marine implementing a secret code with other Navajo recruits.
The Associated Press describes it as, “a fascinating mélange of combat in the Pacific theater, the history of the Navajo people and the development of a uniquely American code.”
The Veterans Book Club is open to everyone interested in books, conversation, and veteran’s experiences. The discussions are always lively and informative. For additional information, or to get a free copy of the book, please contact Rhonda Culbertson (rculbert@iusb.edu) Consider joining us for a great evening!