Stories of Our Heroes: Navajo Code Talker and Marine Corps Cpl. Who Helped Save Thousands During WWII

The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services (ADVS) has launched "Stories of Our Heroes," a new series focused on sharing the lives and legacies of our Arizona Veterans who have been interred in one of our three Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries (AVMC). 

The series will help keep the stories of our Veterans alive by showcasing the Arizona Veterans who served and sacrificed for our country. ADVS wants to ensure our Veterans will never be forgotten and that the world can get to know them more--not just for their amazing service and sacrifices for our country during their military career, but who they were as people.

This month’s Veteran is Marine Corps. Corporal and Navajo Code Talker Alfred J. Peaches.

During World War II, Alfred was part of an elite subset of the U.S. Marine Corps selected to translate messages into the Navajo language as a military tactic. This group, known as the Navajo Code Talkers, created a code based on the complex, unwritten Navajo language.

Born in Shonto, Arizona, Alfred was Bitter Water People clan and born for the Red House People clan. His maternal grandfather was Water’s Edge People clan and his paternal grandfather was Reed People clan.

When Alfred was drafted into the military during WWII in the early 1940s, he wanted to go to the Navy, but because of his knowledge of the Navajo language, he was told to go to the Marine Corps to train in Code Talker communication and radio operation.

“They told us that you are here to be a Code Talker and that’s all,” Alfred said. “… [The code] saved a lot of people, even on the frontline. The war could have taken longer, but we saved thousands and thousands of people, even our enemies. I’m just proud that I served my country. I served to save my people and country. Now everything is okay.”

For his bravery and hard work, Alfred received the Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After the war, Alfred re-enlisted during the Korean War where he served for several more years. He was discharged after 10 years in the Marine Corps after he developed tuberculosis in his lungs.

For Alfred, one of the most important things in life outside of his family was education. Growing up, Alfred didn’t get much of an education, only finishing a fifth-grade education by the time he was first drafted. Eventually, Alfred received his Associates Degree at a Chinle community college.

Alfred died on January, 16, 2016 at the age of 90. He was the first Veteran interred at the Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo when it first opened later that same year.

Alfred is survived by his wife Jeanette whom he had been married to for more than 60 years, four children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

Thank you Alfred for your service and sacrifice. #StoriesOfOurHeroes

If you would like to have your loved one featured on our next Stories of Our Heroes, email [email protected] or fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/5wAXQs9nbypnprpu6