They will learn a top-secret Navajo-based code language in order to transmit crucial messages on the battlefield. After Ned’s platoon graduates from boot camp with highest honors, they finally learn their secret mission-to become code talkers. Like the other Navajo recruits, Ned thrives in boot camp because many of the physical demands are familiar to him from his family’s rural, agricultural life. His parents grant him permission to enlist, on the condition that he undergo a Blessingway, a protection ceremony, which is conducted by Hosteen Mitchell, a well-respected Navajo singer. After hearing Johnny speak, Ned can wait no longer. After a few months, one of those men, Johnny Manuelito, returns to the reservation to recruit and train a new group of men. Meanwhile, 29 men are recruited to form the first all-Navajo Marine platoon. Ned is eager to join up, but his parents ask him to wait for one year, since he is only 15 at the time.
Bilingual Navajos are wanted for a mysterious special duty. Not long after the United States declares war, a call for Navajo recruits circulates on the reservation. Then, in 1941, the Japanese military attacks Pearl Harbor. However, Ned’s culture is denigrated there, too, and he doubts that Navajos will ever be respected by white people. He even earns the chance to attend a better high school.
He does well in his classes, and he continues speaking Navajo and learning about his culture when the teachers aren’t around. However, rather than becoming depressed, Ned is resilient, helped by his natural love of learning. Ned gets his mouth washed out with soap when he accidentally speaks Navajo, and other children receive even harsher punishments. Upon arriving at boarding school, Ned and his classmates are forced to speak only English, their long hair is cut off, their traditional clothing and jewelry are confiscated, and they are given new names. Ned’s uncle explains that, by attending boarding school, Ned and other Navajo children will have the opportunity to communicate better with white American society. Historically, the Navajo people have been persecuted by the American government. Ned’s uncle explains that Ned has to attend “the white man’s” school for his family’s sake. When Ned is six years old, he says goodbye to his family and journeys to the mission school in Gallup, New Mexico with his uncle. He was a code talker-a big story that will take a while to explain. For many years, Ned was not allowed to speak about his role in the war. The medal commemorates Navajo Marines’ special service in World War II. Ned Begay tells his grandchildren about a special medal he owns.
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