Alfred K. Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred K. Newman
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Alfred K. Newman (right) in 2013
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| Born | July 7, 1924 Rehoboth, New Mexico |
| Died | January 13, 2019 (aged 94) Albuquerque |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Marines | |
| Years of service | November 1943-December 1945 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Spouse(s) | Betsy Eleanor |
| Children | 5 |
| Other work | Ammunition inspector |
Alfred K. Newman (born July 21, 1924 – died January 13, 2019) was a brave United States Marine. He is famous for being a Navajo code talker during World War II.
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Who Was Alfred K. Newman?
Alfred K. Newman was born on July 21, 1924, in Rehoboth, New Mexico. This area is part of the Navajo Nation. When he was a student, Alfred and other Native American children were not allowed to speak their native Navajo language at school.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. Alfred decided to join the Marine Corps on March 26, 1943. He became one of over 400 special soldiers known as code talkers.
The Secret Language of Code Talkers
Code talkers used their native language, Navajo, to send secret messages during the war. The Navajo language was very complex and not widely known. This made it a perfect secret code that enemies could not understand. The code talkers played a very important role in helping the United States win battles.
Serving in World War II
In November 1943, Newman was part of the Guadalcanal Campaign. This was a major battle in the Pacific Ocean. After that, he spent a month on Bougainville Island.
He then joined the 3rd Marine Division. With them, he fought in the Battle of Guam in 1944. Later, he took part in the final stages of the Battle of Iwo Jima. This was one of the toughest battles in the Pacific.
After the War
Alfred Newman was honorably discharged from the Marines in December 1945. He held the rank of corporal. After the war, he worked as an ammunition inspector at Fort Wingate. Later, he oversaw blasting at an open-pit mine near Kirtland Field.
Newman was married to Betsy Eleanor for 69 years. They had five children together. He passed away at age 94 at a veterans hospital in Albuquerque. At the time of his death, only about 10 Navajo code talkers were still alive.
