Honoring the unsung heroes: A monument to the Navajo Code Talkers rises in Utah

WEST VALLEY CITY — As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, a new monument in West Valley City is quietly taking shape — one that honors a group of Native American heroes whose contributions were once shrouded in secrecy: the Navajo Code Talkers.

For Prestine K. James, the monument is more than a tribute — it’s personal. Her family’s legacy is steeped in military service. Her husband, Harry James, is a Vietnam veteran. Her grandfather served in both World Wars, while her father and uncle served in World War II, and her brother was a medic in Vietnam. But it was only years later that Prestine discovered an even deeper connection to history.

“I had a grandfather and an uncle, George B. Willie, who were code talkers,” she said. “We didn’t know that for several years.”

The irony of Native Americans’ military service is not lost on Prestine.

“People in my age group, when I was in my teens, we were angry about it because of the way we know the history of our people,” she said. “Of course, I didn’t know about the code talkers then, but we had our own feelings about (serving in the military) when I was growing up.”

At a time when U.S. government policies sought to erase Indigenous languages and traditions, Native American soldiers were being asked to use those very languages to protect the nation through the Navajo Code Talker Program established in 1942, following similar efforts during World War 1 with other Indigenous people, including the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

During World War II, the U.S. military turned to Native Americans to create unbreakable codes. The Navajo language, in particular, became the foundation for a top-secret communications program that proved pivotal in the Pacific Theater.

“One of the generals said if it hadn’t been for the code talkers, we would have lost the war in the Pacific,” Prestine recalled.

These young men, many of whom volunteered despite the injustices their communities faced, served with honor and courage, Prestine said.

“They went because they were protecting their land — not only their people, but all people,” she said.

The program remained classified until 1968. Only then did the public and families, including Prestine’s, begin to learn about their loved ones’ heroism.

Among them was U.S. Marine Allen Dale June, one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who helped to devise Navajo words for military terms that were not part of their language.

“They used birds and sea creatures to describe planes and the like,” Prestine recalled.

When Harry James, a West Valley City resident, discovered June also had ties to the same community, he was inspired to create a memorial in his honor, even after June’s death in 2010, and sought support from the city.

“My dad worked for years on this project,” said his daughter, Chrishel James.

Harry passed away unexpectedly last year, at the age of 82, but not before he saw his dream begin to materialize. He was able to visit the foundry at Atlas Bronze Casting, where a bronze monument was being created, and bless it.

The sculpture, which features Allen Dale June, stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by Native Americans during wartime.

“Some of them may not have agreed with the government or its policies,” Prestine said. “But they were protecting their land — even though it was stolen from them. It was sacred for them no matter who has it.”

For Prestine, the monument is not just about the past — it’s a call to action.

“Our job is to keep striving for the qualities (represented by) that American flag,” she said. “We may not have it right now, but we need to do our part in striving to make it equal for all people.”

Prestine also hopes the monument will help preserve the history of the Navajo Code Talkers for the rising generation.

“With the statue being in the Veterans Memorial… it makes people question. They will go home and look it up, and if people start educating themselves about that history, then their kids and grandkids will learn about it and it won’t be forgotten,” Chrishel James said. “It is something that was very important and helped save this country.”

“Harry wanted them to be recognized and let people know that our people did protect this country as well,” Prestine James said.

A special ceremony to unveil the monument will be held on National Navajo Code Talkers Day on August 14 at the Utah Veterans Memorial in West Valley City, according to Prestine. KSL TV will provide more information as it becomes available.