Navajo Code Talker Jerry Begay Sr. passes away on Memorial Day

Jerry C. Begay Sr. earned Congressional Silver Medal

Navajo Code Talker Jerry C. Begay Sr., passed away on Memorial Day, May 26 in Albuquerque, N.M. A Purple Heart recipient, Begay served in Tarawa during the American invasion of the Japanese island. Begay served with distinction and was honorably discharged in 1945.

Begay, 83, was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal for his service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Code Talker in November 2001. Begay remained active with the Navajo Code Talkers Association, and as a member of the Disabled American Veterans.

He is the son of Clauschee Begay and Hasktlishnii Bist'i. He was a member of the Kinlichii'nii people and born for Dzil tl'ahnii people.

Begay was married to Ella Sorrelman Begay of Lukachukai and he is survived by his children Priscilla Begay Coutu, Verna Begay-Lopez, Jerry C. Begay Jr., and Daniel C. Begay. He was preceded in death by his daughter Evangeline Begay Alvarez.