Photo By Sgt. Andy Martinez | Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando and other Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter...... read more read more Photo By Sgt. Andy Martinez | Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando and other Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, hike towards the Iwo Jima memorial site on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, Japan, July 26, 2017. Fernando and other Marines in her squadron were given the opportunity to revisit the battlegrounds at which Fernando's grandfather, a Navajo Code Talker, fought during World War II. Fernando is an airframe mechanic assigned to HMLA-169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, currently on a unit deployment program with 1st MAW based in Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Laura Gauna) see less | View Image Page

More than 70 years ago, during World War II, a group of Native-American Marines known as Navajo Code Talkers used their native tongue, Navajo, to transmit secret strategic messages via radios.



Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu, Iwo Jima: the Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language - a code that the Japanese never deciphered.



Six Navajo Code Talkers were operating continuously during the invasion of Iwo Jima, a battle that yielded 27 Medals of Honor. They sent more than 800 messages with perfect accuracy.



One of those six was Lance Cpl. Jeanette E. Fernando’s grandfather, Thomas Sandoval.



On July 26, 2017, Fernando was given the opportunity to revisit the battlegrounds at which her grandfather fought so many years ago.



Her journey began in Okinawa where she is currently forward deployed on a unit deployment program with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. After a three hour flight, she finally arrived at Iwo Jima where she immediately started her 10 mile trek up Mt. Suribachi.



“It’s an emotional experience,” said Fernando, an airframe mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. “There’s quite a connection, just knowing that my ancestors were here fighting in WWII.



Under a beating sun, Fernando thought about her grandfather and what he must have gone through as she passed numerous rusted aircraft parts, anti-aerial weapons and other heavy artillery.



“Everything was new to him,” Fernando said. “But that didn’t stop him. I’m able to be in Iwo Jima because of my ancestors, because of the Marines who fought so proudly before me.”



Drenched in sweat and with aching muscles, Fernando made it to the summit. After a moment of silence, she removed her dog tags and placed them on the memorial to honor her grandfather and the other warriors that fought for the island.



“It was difficult but we pushed through it and made it to the top – it was all worth it” said Fernando. “I put myself in my ancestors’ boots who were here before me. I can’t imagine what they had to go through. They were pushing through day and night.”



After a moment of rest she began the long journey back down the mountain. Halfway down the mountain she reached Invasion Beach. She made her way down the steep decline to the beachhead where she began gathering sand to take home and to the Marines back in her squadron.



With an added 20 pounds of sand strapped around her shoulders, Fernando made her way back to the plane. With determination in her eyes and encouraging words for her fellow Marines, she finally completed the hike.



“Words can’t describe how it feels to stand on the land where my ancestors fought so hard to gain,” said Fernando. “I’m very grateful for what [the Navajo Code Talkers] sacrificed. They had the courage and dedication to participate in the program. I’m proud to be part of the Navajo nation.”