Code Talker Samuel Tsosie dies at age of 89

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. - The Navajo Nation lost another Navajo Code Talker in November when Samuel Tsosie walked on. He joined his wife, Bessie, who preceeded him in death two weeks ago. They had been married over 66 years. Tsosie was 89 years old.

Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly ordered that flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Nov. 25 through sunset on Nov. 28.

Tsosie served in the United States Marine Corps from 1943-1945, when he was honorably discharged. He was only 16 when he enlisted, he forged his mother's signature on his enlistment papers and gave his age as 19.

He joined his Marine Corps brothers are radiomen communicating in every major battle of the Pacific including Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guan, Okinawa and Peleliu.

Tsosie was a member of the Navajo Code Talker Association. He traveled to many states to participate in book signings and shared the story of the Navajo Code Talkers.

Funeral services took place Nov. 26 at the VA Chapel in Prescott, Arizona. He was laid to rest at 1:30 p.m. in the National Veterans Cemetery located in Phoenix, Arizona.