thedrifter
01-17-07, 01:46 PM
Navajo 'code talker' recalls unique WWII experience
Story Published: Jan 17, 2007 at 10:32 AM PST
Story Updated: Jan 17, 2007 at 10:39 AM PST
By KATU Web Staff
Video
PORTLAND, Ore. - Teddy Draper Sr. was there when the American flag was raised on Iwo Jima.
He's not in the famous photo, but he was the Marine who radioed headquarters that the flag was in place, securing his place in history.
If the Japanese were listening, they had no clue as to what Draper said.
Draper is a Navajo "code talker," one of a select few Native Americans - known as Indians at the time - who served as communications specialists in the Marine Corp and other branches of the military.
Draper relayed information using a coded version of his native language, which was virtually unknown outside the United States and was not written down.
The code proved to be unbreakable and kept critical communications secure from all foreign codebreaking attempts.
MGM recently told a fictionalized story of the codetalkers in the movie "Windtalkers," which starred Nicolas Cage and featured Adam Beech as the young Navajo codetalker.
Draper said he was first approached in high school by Marine recruiters. He served in the Marines from 1942 to 1946, earning a Purple Heart at Iwo Jima and many other commendations.
After the war, Draper and the other code talkers were sworn to secrecy about their activities. They never told anyone, even family members.
Drapers own son, Teddy Draper Jr., didn't believe his father when he was told about the program in 1968 after it was declassified.
Even more remarkable, five members of Draper's extended family were also codetalkers.
Draper will be at the Longbottom Coffee House in Hillsboro Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m., relating tales of his service in one of the most unusual and interesting military programs from World War II.
Ellie
Story Published: Jan 17, 2007 at 10:32 AM PST
Story Updated: Jan 17, 2007 at 10:39 AM PST
By KATU Web Staff
Video
PORTLAND, Ore. - Teddy Draper Sr. was there when the American flag was raised on Iwo Jima.
He's not in the famous photo, but he was the Marine who radioed headquarters that the flag was in place, securing his place in history.
If the Japanese were listening, they had no clue as to what Draper said.
Draper is a Navajo "code talker," one of a select few Native Americans - known as Indians at the time - who served as communications specialists in the Marine Corp and other branches of the military.
Draper relayed information using a coded version of his native language, which was virtually unknown outside the United States and was not written down.
The code proved to be unbreakable and kept critical communications secure from all foreign codebreaking attempts.
MGM recently told a fictionalized story of the codetalkers in the movie "Windtalkers," which starred Nicolas Cage and featured Adam Beech as the young Navajo codetalker.
Draper said he was first approached in high school by Marine recruiters. He served in the Marines from 1942 to 1946, earning a Purple Heart at Iwo Jima and many other commendations.
After the war, Draper and the other code talkers were sworn to secrecy about their activities. They never told anyone, even family members.
Drapers own son, Teddy Draper Jr., didn't believe his father when he was told about the program in 1968 after it was declassified.
Even more remarkable, five members of Draper's extended family were also codetalkers.
Draper will be at the Longbottom Coffee House in Hillsboro Wednesday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m., relating tales of his service in one of the most unusual and interesting military programs from World War II.
Ellie