Corporal Henry Bake, Jr. (left) of Ft. Defiance, Arizona and
Pfc. George Kirk (right) of Leupp, Arizona operate a portable
radio unit on the front line in the jungles of Bougainville, in
the Solomon Islands Advanced training required long hard hours
in the classroom, not only memorizing the Navajo code, but
learning other communications methods as well. A platoon of
Navajo Code Talkers in formation at Camp Elliott under the
supervision of Staff Sgt. Philip Johnston. The first detachment
of Navajo Communications Specialists pose for this group picture
upon completion of their basic training program in May, 1942.
Recruiting stations were hastily set up throughout the Navajo
reservation during the days following the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Here, a number of Navajos, some with their shotguns or
rifles, sign up to go to war.