Code talker

A code talker was a military professional who used a little-known language to provide secret communications. These individuals were employed to transmit tactical messages during wartime. While the term applies to various groups, it most often refers to United States service members during the World Wars. These soldiers used their knowledge of Indigenous languages to create codes that enemies could not break. This method allowed for much faster encryption and decryption during front-line operations. Because their codes remained secure, code talkers are credited with helping achieve several decisive military victories.

During World War II, the military utilized two distinct types of coding methods. The first type was a formal system based on the languages of the Comanche, Hopi, Meskwaki, and Navajo peoples. These code talkers used a simple substitution cipher. In this system, a specific word from the Indigenous language represented a single letter of the English alphabet. This turned the spoken language into a complex ciphertext. The second type was an informal method involving direct translation. Code talkers would translate English military terms into their native tongues. If a specific word did not exist in the Indigenous language, they used descriptive phrases. For example, Navajo speakers used the phrase "iron fish" to represent a submarine.

The history of Native American-based communications began before the Second World War. During World War I, Cherokee soldiers served in the US 30th Infantry Division. In September 1918, they transmitted messages while under fire during the Second Battle of the Somme. Choctaw soldiers also provided vital communication services during this era. Eight Choctaw men served in the 36th Infantry Division. They assisted the American Expeditionary Forces during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. On October 26, 1918, these code talkers were pressed into service. Their work helped turn the tide of battle within 72 hours.

In the United States Marine Corps, approximately 400 to 500 Native Americans served as code talkers. They were responsible for transmitting secret tactical messages over telephone or radio nets. While the Navajo Code is the most famous, many other groups participated. The US Army deployed Lakota, Meskwaki, Mohawk, Comanche, Tlingit, Hopi, Cree, and Crow soldiers. Assiniboine speakers also worked to encrypt communications. One notable individual was Gilbert Horn Sr., an Assiniboine speaker from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. He later became a tribal judge and politician.

The Comanche code talkers provided a unique service in the European theater. A total of 14 Comanche code talkers participated in the Invasion of Normandy. They served within the 4th Infantry Division. These soldiers created a specialized vocabulary of 250 code terms. They used descriptive substitutions for modern machinery. For instance, they called a tank a "turtle" and a bomber a "pregnant bird." They also used the term "sewing machine" for a machine gun. They even referred to Adolf Hitler as a "crazy white man."

Different nations also utilized linguistic advantages during conflict. In Canada, the military employed First Nations soldiers who spoke the Cree language. Because of strict secrecy and official classification, their role was not widely acknowledged until much later. In the modern era, the Hungarian language has been used by the Ukrainian army. This occurs because Ukraine has a large Hungarian-speaking population of over 150,000 people. Since Hungarian is a Uralic language, it is distinct from the Slavic Ukrainian language. This makes it incomprehensible to Russian speakers, allowing for the relay of operational orders without the need for complex encryption.

Many code talkers received significant recognition for their contributions to national security. In 1989, the French government awarded the Chevalier of the National Order of Merit to Comanche code talkers. In 2013, the US government awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to representatives of the Meskwaki community. Charles Chibitty, a Comanche code talker, received the Knowlton Award from the Department of Defense in 1999. Today, the term "code talker" honors all members of Native American communities who used their linguistic skills in service. Their legacy remains a vital part of military communication history.