Fleming Begaye Sr. facts for kids
Fleming Begaye Sr. (August 26, 1921 – May 10, 2019) was a brave Navajo code talker during World War II. He helped the United States military by creating secret messages in the Navajo language. These messages were so clever that the enemy could never understand them! His work was very important in helping the Allies win the war.
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Fleming Begaye Sr.: A True American Hero
Growing Up and Becoming a Marine
Fleming Begaye Sr. was born in Red Valley, Arizona, on August 26, 1921. He was a member of the Navajo Nation. He went to the Fort Wingate boarding school. When he heard that the U.S. military needed people who could speak Navajo, he decided to join. He became a Marine.
Fleming Begaye Sr. was one of over 400 special soldiers called "code talkers." These code talkers created top-secret messages using the Navajo language. This code was so strong that even though the Japanese military broke other codes, they could never figure out the Navajo one. This secret code helped the Allies win many battles in the Pacific theater of the war.
Serving in World War II
Fleming Begaye Sr. served as a code talker from 1943 to 1945. He bravely fought in important battles like the Battle of Tarawa and the Battle of Tinian. After his service, he spent a year in a naval hospital. He was treated for injuries he got while serving as a Marine.
Life After the War
After the war, Fleming Begaye Sr. started a business. He opened a trading post called Begaye's Corner in Chinle, Arizona. Over time, this trading post grew into a gas station, a car repair shop, a cafe, and a small grocery store. He also became a farmer. He grew apple, cherry, and plum trees. He also raised cattle and sheep.
Honors and Legacy
Fleming Begaye Sr. was a respected leader. He was named the Honorary Chair of the Native American Coalition for the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign. In 2017, President Donald Trump honored Begaye at a special ceremony at the White House. This showed how much his country appreciated his service.
Family and Passing
Fleming Begaye Sr. was married to Helen, who passed away in 2008. They had three children together. Fleming Begaye Sr. died on May 10, 2019, at the age of 97. At the time of his death, only seven other Navajo code talkers were still alive. He was buried on May 17, 2019. His bravery and service will always be remembered.
