It’s a day worthy of gentlemen that truly are stars in my book….

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It’s a day worthy of gentlemen that truly are stars in my book….

General Douglas MacArthur meeting Navajo, Pima, Pawnee and other Native American troops. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Normally, my Tuesday’s are dedicated for the wonders that occurred in Hollywood, that glamorous icon that shines brightly on the West Coast. Today, though, I had to push my favorite place aside for an event that is far more important than any symbol.In 1942, the United States was involved in an ugly war that tore the very foundations of the world, as we know it apart. Communication was a vital part of the war, as it is in any battle, and World War II brought the need for contact to an all time high. From every military and naval unit, brave men had to stay in touch to know when an attack was going to occur, or when to admit defeat and fall back. Numerous times, at a great cost of life, so many heroic men were lost because of the ease in which the enemy interpreted vital codes.

On this day, the first “Code Talkers”, brave men of the Navajo Indian tribes, were recruited by the marines to serve in the war effort. Using their language, one that history had attempted to prevent them from using in the past, the Code Talkers provided an unbreakable radio transmission code that turned about events in the war.

Unfortunately, these brave men didn’t receive any recognition for their valiant efforts until 1968, when their operation became officially declassified. It took Public Law 106-554, 114 Statute 2763 to award any of their numbers from receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for their services. Even then, the actual ceremony didn’t occur until July 2001.

These men were the true heroes, serving their country with pride and without recognition until nearly 56 years after the end of the war.

To find out more about these brave individuals, please visit: http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/