LONG-TERM IMPACT
Remembering the Code Talkers
After years of waiting, in 1982 the Navajo Code was declassified and the Code Talkers received the recognition that they deserved. President Ronald Reagan gave the Code Talkers a Certificate of Recognition and named August 14th, “Navajo Code Talkers Day.”
(Navajo Code Talkers at ceremony naming August 14th “Navajo Code Talkers Day,” Kirtland Air Force Base, 2008)
“NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate August 14, 1982, as National Navaho Code Talkers Day, a day dedicated to all members of the Navaho [sic] Nation.”
(Ronald Regan (1982), 2008)
In 2000, the "Honoring the Code Talkers Act" was passed, which awarded the original 29 Code Talkers Congressional Gold Medals and the remaining Navajo Code Talkers Silver Medals. In 2001, President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Medals to the surviving Navajo Code Talkers and the families of deceased Code Talkers.
(Code Talkers receive Gold Medals, Semper Fideles, Code Talkers, National Archives, 2001)
“...the Navajo code talkers had the most illustrious record and were instrumental in the Marine Corps victories...”
("Navajo Code Talkers Play Instrumental Role in World War II," 2017)
The Code Talkers were a great success in American communication during WWII. Their bravery has been remembered and celebrated for many years. They played a key part in the victory of WWII and they delivered one of the uncracked codes in all history and the only uncracked code in military history.