Allen Dale June

Allen Dale June (November 28, 1921 – September 8, 2010) was an American veteran of World War II. June was one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers who served in the United States Marine Corps during the war.[1]

Early life

June was born in Kaibito, Arizona[2] on November 28, 1921, to a Navajo family. His mother was Kinłichíiʼnii, born for Tłʼízíłání, and his father was named Yéʼii Dineʼé, born for Tachíiʼnii.[1] June graduated from Tuba City Vocational High School in Tuba City in 1941.[1] Once the United States entered World War II later that year and began recruiting Navajos as code talkers, June hitchhiked to Fort Defiance and Fort Wingate to enlist.[1]

War years

June enlisted in 1941 and became one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers in the U.S. Marines.[1] he served until the end of World War II in 1945, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.[1]

After War

June received a bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting and economics from New Mexico Highlands University in 1952.[1] He later also obtained a master's degree in 1975 from the University of Utah.[1]

Congressional Gold Medal

Dale, along with the other original 9 Navajo code talkers, received the Congressional Gold Medal on December 21, 2000.[3] In recent years, residents of Longmont, Colorado, raised money to buy June and his third wife, Virginia June, a home when they learned the couple had no permanent place to live.[4]

Death

Allen Dale June died at Presscott Veteran's Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, on September 8, 2010, at the age of 89.[1] June had become ill while on a trip to Arizona from the family's home in Longmont, Colorado.[4][5] He was survived by his wife, Virginia June; eleven children; four brothers - Adolph June Jr., Floyd June, Jackie June and Keith June; as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews.[1] He was buried at a family cemetery in Kaibeto, Arizona.[1] Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. ordered all flags to be flown at half staff in June's honor.[1]

With June's death in 2010,[4][6] Lloyd Oliver's death in 2011, and Chester Nez's death on June 4, 2014,[7] none of the original 29 Navajo code talkers are alive.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Hardeen, George (2010-09-14). "Navajo Code Talker Allen Dale June passes away". Navajo Hopi Observer. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  2. ↑ Find A Grave
  3. ↑ Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives - Congressional Gold Medal Recipients
  4. 1 2 3 Fonseca, Felicia (2010-08-29). "An original Code Talker keeps tale alive, Few remaining members of elite Navajo Marine unit". Associated Press. Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  5. ↑ "WWII Navajo code talker dead at 91". United Press International. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  6. ↑ "One of original Navajo Code Talkers dies in Ariz". Associated Press. Washington Post. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  7. ↑ Stapleton, AnneClaire; Carter, Chelsea J. (June 5, 2014). "Chester Nez, last of original Navajo code talkers of World War II, dies". CNN. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
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