John Kinsel Sr., Last of the Navajo Code Talkers, Dies at 107

Kinsel was one of the few remaining members of the elite group whose unbreakable code helped secure Allied victory in World War II.

John Kinsel Sr. was one of the last three surviving Navajo Code Talkers, a group of Native American Marines who developed an unbreakable code using their language during World War II.
Kinsel enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and served with the 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participating in key battles such as Guadalcanal, Guam, and Iwo Jima.
The Navajo Code Talkers' contributions were crucial in transmitting secure communications on troop movements and battlefield tactics, baffling Japanese cryptologists.
In recognition of his service, Kinsel received a Purple Heart in 1989 and a Congressional Silver Medal in 2001.
Following Kinsel's death, only two Navajo Code Talkers remain: Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay, both of whom are in their 90s.