Dianna M. Náñez

The Republic | azcentral.com

George Paul James had barely graduated from high school — he wasn’t even old enough to vote yet — when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

James left Chilocco Indian School in Newkirk, Okla., and traveled across the country for boot camp in San Diego. Soon the 17-year-old Marine would journey around the world, defending his country in a way only he and a select group of others could.

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James saw action in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II, according to information provided by the Navajo Nation on Wednesday. Years later he returned to Iwo Jima for the 60th anniversary. He helped raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi. All the while, he worked covertly to transmit messages in his Navajo language, a code the enemy would never crack.

James died early Wednesday at Lovelace Hospital in Albuquerque at the age of 92. He was one of the few remaining Navajo Code Talkers.

Family mourns, remembers

His family had started a GoFundMe to help pay for James' hospital expenses.

“Our beloved Papa is in hospice care right now, his body is shutting down and we were told he has a short time left. He has served this country bravely and has been a rock for our family since our grandma passed.”

They wrote about how he kept the family together through tradition.

“Up until this year he was herding sheep, riding horses, living in the mountains living off the animals and land. There is so much to come for our family and what traditional values we must uphold after it’s all done.”

He was known for sitting with his grandchildren and telling them stories about his experiences and sacrifices in service of his country.

The last online update came just before noon Wednesday.

“He passed peacefully this morning. He is at peace and is with our grandma now.”

Leaders honor James

Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye and Vice President Jonathan Nez honored James in a joint statement.

“With the passing of Navajo Code Talker George Paul James, we are witnessing the tragic loss of a historical icon to the Navajo people and the citizens of the United States,” Begaye said. “He defended our great land as a Code Talker by using the Navajo language to encode military messages and ultimately contributed to protecting our freedom. For this, we are forever grateful.”

During the war, more than 400 Navajos were recruited as Code Talkers. They transmitted battle messages in their native, unwritten language, creating a code Japanese soldiers couldn’t crack.

Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted his condolences.

“My prayers are with the family of Navajo Code Talker George James Sr. who has passed away,” he wrote. “An American hero who bravely served his country.”

State Sen. Carlyle Begay, R-Ganado, also sent his thoughts over social media to James' family.

Too many Code Talkers returned from war with scars, Nez said.

“Many of our Navajo Code Talkers came back from their service having been told that they could not talk about their experiences,” he said. “Many of them suffered nightmares, flashbacks and post-traumatic stress disorder from what they had seen.”

Nez said James and his fellow Navajo Code Talkers used the language of their people to ensure “our freedom beyond any artillery or weaponry.”

Remembering the last of the original Navajo Code Talkers

James was Tótsohnii (Big Water Clan), born for Ma’ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass Clan), and reached the rank of corporal in the 5th Marine Division, according to the statement.

James is preceded in death by his wife, Mary James; his son Alva Kirk James; his daughter Linda James; and his grandson Derrick Lewis, according to the statement. He is survived by sons George James Jr., Melvin James and Gerald James and daughters Shirley Barry, Loretta Danzuka, Ernestine James, and Lynnann Charley.

Funeral services for James will be held in Lukachukai at 10 a.m. Saturday, according to Navajo Nation officials.

He will be buried on a family plot in Tsaile. Following his burial, a reception will take place at the Wheatfields/Tsaile Chapter.