EP-216

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Judith Avila & Latham Nez on the Navajo Code Talkers. This week, we are joined by Judith Avila, co-author of the best-selling book Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez. Judith is a Navajo Code Talker scholar who has toured extensively, giving presentations on this vital piece of World War II history. By 2011, she had conducted more than 80 hours of interviews with Chester Nez and his son, Michael Nez, capturing invaluable first-hand stories and perspectives. Chester Nez, who passed away in 2014, was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who developed the first truly “unbreakable” code, using the Navajo language to secure Allied communications in the Pacific Theater. Remarkably, this code was the only one used by the Allies during WWII that was never cracked by the Japanese. We are also joined by Latham Nez, Chester Nez’s grandson, as we discuss the extraordinary role of the Navajo Code Talkers and their critical importance to achieving victory in the Pacific.