Chester Nez American serviceman, Navajo radio operator Date of Birth: 23.01.1921 Country: USA

Biography of Chester Nez

Chester Nez was an American military serviceman and a Navajo code talker. He was born in Chi Chil Tah, New Mexico, and was a member of the Navajo tribe. Nez's childhood was marked by the strained relationship between the Navajo people and the American government. He experienced the forced removal of Navajo children from reservations and the prohibition of speaking their native language. Despite these challenges, Nez was recruited into the Marine Corps and secretly pursued his desire to serve his country. To meet the age requirements, Nez lied about his age when enlisting.

As part of the 382nd Infantry Regiment, Nez and 28 other Navajo soldiers were assigned the task of creating a secret code for secure communication during World War II. The Navajo language was chosen as the basis for the code due to its complex syntax and tonal forms, making it nearly impossible for non-Navajo speakers to decipher. Only 30 non-Navajo individuals were able to learn the language, making it an ideal code for the military. The Navajo code talkers referred to themselves as "governors with the wind."

Nez served as a code talker in various locations, including Guadalcanal, Guam, and Peleliu. In 1945, he was honorably discharged as a corporal. Nez later returned to the military during the Korean War. After leaving the military, he attended the University of Kansas from 1946 to 1952, where he studied art. Nez worked as an artist at a hospital in Albuquerque for 25 years.

In 2001, Nez was one of the remaining five living Navajo code talkers. They were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush, who praised their contribution to American history and victory. In 2011, Nez published his memoir, titled "Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII." In November 2012, he received a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Kansas.

On June 4, 2014, Chester Nez passed away in Albuquerque due to kidney failure at the age of 93. His legacy as a "governor with the wind" and a code talker continues to be celebrated as a significant part of American history.