American flags on the Navajo Nation flew at half-staff Tuesday in honor of Navajo Code Talker Bahe Ketchum, who died Monday. Private First Class Ketchum was 96.
Ketchum was stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II from 1944 to 1946. The military selected Navajo and other lesser-known languages for radio communication to prevent information from falling into enemy hands. Navajo is a complex language, making it difficult for code breakers to crack.
PREVIOUSLY:96-year-old Navajo Code Talker dies
"As a Navajo Code Talker, he defended not only the Navajo Nation, but the United States of America against tyranny and oppression," said Russell Begaye, President of the Navajo Nation. Begaye signed the proclamation to lower the flags to half-staff from sunrise June 9 to sunset June 12.
The Ketchum family has set up account No. 7626987585 with Wells Fargo for funeral expense donations.
