Greer's Mortuary of Winslow,
Winslow, Arizona
Sidney Bedoni
March 10, 1923 - June 08, 2014
Sidney Bedoni was born on March 10, 1923 in Navajo Mountain, Utah. He is from the Salt and Bitterwater Clans. At the age 6, he had been picked up by the U.S. Government, along with other Navajo children, to attend boarding school in Tuba City. His father and mother taught him to speak Navajo. His mother passed away early on in Sidney's life while giving birth to his sister. He loved and missed his mother very much. He always remembered the values she taught him and the support from his father to head to war.
Sidney heard about what was going on in the War while in boarding school and had a desire to serve. Recruiters came to Tuba City asking for young men to serve. He was 16 years old when he enlisted, which of course he had to adjust his age as he was born in a hogan and didn't receive a birth certificate. He had the desire to go but told them he wasn't old enough, which the recruiters said they'll take care of that. They handed him a a form for his father to sign, which allowed him to join. He hitchhiked from Tuba City, AZ to Navajo Mountain, UT to get permission to serve his country. He returned with his father's blessing and later was shipped to San Diego for boot camp.
Sidney fought in World War II and Korean War. He served in the Marine Corps from October 20, 1942 to January 18, 1946. He then re-enlisted with the Army from April 21, 1948 - October 23, 1952. During his enlistment service, his rank was Private First Class. After the Navajo Code Talkers were declassified in 1968, Sidney was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1988 for his outstanding service.
He was involved with multiple battles on multiple islands: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Bougainville, Tinian, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, Japan, Solomon Islands, Vella Lavella Island, New Caledonia, Okinawa. He became a certified paratrooper while stationed in New Caledonia. He was the last living Navajo Code Talker paratrooper. He was very proud to have earned his paratrooper wings. He served in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Marine Corps Divisions, 8th Army, and 1st Parachute Regiment.
Toward the end of his service in the Army, Sidney returned to the states and married his sweetheart, Lena Begay, in Salinas, California on September 10, 1952. They eventually moved back to Arizona and lived in the Flagstaff area where he worked as a Civil Service employee at the Navajo Army Depot in Bellmont, AZ for 35 years. He served as an Explosives Operator from 1953 to 1988. He kept to his culture and way of life as he continued to herd sheep and grow crops on his land.
Sidney's greatest thing he recalls from serving as a Code Talker was saving the lives of his Marine Corps brethren and defeating the enemy through his sacred language along with preserving the life, liberty, and freedoms of our country. He said he'd do it again without question, as he truly loved serving his country and countryman.
Sidney Bedoni is very proud of his culture and tribe, his native language that won the war, his wife, and family. He loved life and his great/grandchildren. His faith played an integral role in his life and he credits his Heavenly Father for protecting him and bringing him home twice from two different wars. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ, whom he regards as his Savior and Redeemer.
He believes his family is an eternal unit and will be together once again after this life. He loved his Marine brothers and did everything he could for them while serving. He didn't hesitate when asked to join, which was evident in his 80 mile hitchhike to his father to obtain permission to serve his country and bring honor to his family and tribe.
He was an active member of the Navajo Code Talker Association and was able to go back and visit the islands of the Pacific with his dear wife, Lena, where he fought and saw his brothers sacrifice their lives for their cause and country. He loved sharing and telling his story to whom ever and where ever he was i.e. restaurants, stores, and at parade.
He was Grand Marshall for so many parades and treasured each experience. He considered himself and knew he was a hero for his country. He brought honor and distinction to himself, family, country, and brothers-at-arms whether or not he was wearing his military uniform. He loved serving his country so much he also served in the Army while fighting in the Korean War. Sidney was a man who was grateful to serve in any capacity and truly was dedicated to his family and country. He will be sorely missed but always remembered as a hero, husband, father, great/grandfather, and friend.
Our country lost one of it's true heroes. Sidney Bedoni, Navajo Code Talker, passed away early Sunday morning, June 8, 2014, surrounded by family. Sidney will always be in our hearts, as we continue on his legacy and share his story. He will most importantly be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We will undeniably miss you but will always remember. We love you, Grandpa. Semper Fidelis…
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lena B. Bedoni. He has 4 children: Virginia (deceased), Emerson (deceased), Darrell, and Norma. 7 grandchildren: Candi (Tooele) Running Bear & Quinn Tooele; Eric, Erin, Dereck, and Le Ann Mantanoña; Jesse Hausteen; 11 great grandchildren: Aubrey Running Bear; Elizabeth, Kaitlynn, Logan, Tyler, Joshua, Paige, and Baby #7 (on the way) Mantanoña; Hasia, Natalee, and Elliana (deceased) Mantanoña
Distinctions/Honors:
Silver Congressional Medal of Honor
Korean Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 16th. A viewing will be held from 9 am to 11 am with the service starting at 11 am in Winslow, AZ at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Winslow, AZ
Burial service will be held Tuesday, June 17th at 10:30 am at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Winslow, Arizona
Sidney Bedoni
March 10, 1923 - June 08, 2014
Sidney Bedoni was born on March 10, 1923 in Navajo Mountain, Utah. He is from the Salt and Bitterwater Clans. At the age 6, he had been picked up by the U.S. Government, along with other Navajo children, to attend boarding school in Tuba City. His father and mother taught him to speak Navajo. His mother passed away early on in Sidney's life while giving birth to his sister. He loved and missed his mother very much. He always remembered the values she taught him and the support from his father to head to war.
Sidney heard about what was going on in the War while in boarding school and had a desire to serve. Recruiters came to Tuba City asking for young men to serve. He was 16 years old when he enlisted, which of course he had to adjust his age as he was born in a hogan and didn't receive a birth certificate. He had the desire to go but told them he wasn't old enough, which the recruiters said they'll take care of that. They handed him a a form for his father to sign, which allowed him to join. He hitchhiked from Tuba City, AZ to Navajo Mountain, UT to get permission to serve his country. He returned with his father's blessing and later was shipped to San Diego for boot camp.
Sidney fought in World War II and Korean War. He served in the Marine Corps from October 20, 1942 to January 18, 1946. He then re-enlisted with the Army from April 21, 1948 - October 23, 1952. During his enlistment service, his rank was Private First Class. After the Navajo Code Talkers were declassified in 1968, Sidney was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1988 for his outstanding service.
He was involved with multiple battles on multiple islands: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Bougainville, Tinian, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, Japan, Solomon Islands, Vella Lavella Island, New Caledonia, Okinawa. He became a certified paratrooper while stationed in New Caledonia. He was the last living Navajo Code Talker paratrooper. He was very proud to have earned his paratrooper wings. He served in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Marine Corps Divisions, 8th Army, and 1st Parachute Regiment.
Toward the end of his service in the Army, Sidney returned to the states and married his sweetheart, Lena Begay, in Salinas, California on September 10, 1952. They eventually moved back to Arizona and lived in the Flagstaff area where he worked as a Civil Service employee at the Navajo Army Depot in Bellmont, AZ for 35 years. He served as an Explosives Operator from 1953 to 1988. He kept to his culture and way of life as he continued to herd sheep and grow crops on his land.
Sidney's greatest thing he recalls from serving as a Code Talker was saving the lives of his Marine Corps brethren and defeating the enemy through his sacred language along with preserving the life, liberty, and freedoms of our country. He said he'd do it again without question, as he truly loved serving his country and countryman.
Sidney Bedoni is very proud of his culture and tribe, his native language that won the war, his wife, and family. He loved life and his great/grandchildren. His faith played an integral role in his life and he credits his Heavenly Father for protecting him and bringing him home twice from two different wars. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ, whom he regards as his Savior and Redeemer.
He believes his family is an eternal unit and will be together once again after this life. He loved his Marine brothers and did everything he could for them while serving. He didn't hesitate when asked to join, which was evident in his 80 mile hitchhike to his father to obtain permission to serve his country and bring honor to his family and tribe.
He was an active member of the Navajo Code Talker Association and was able to go back and visit the islands of the Pacific with his dear wife, Lena, where he fought and saw his brothers sacrifice their lives for their cause and country. He loved sharing and telling his story to whom ever and where ever he was i.e. restaurants, stores, and at parade.
He was Grand Marshall for so many parades and treasured each experience. He considered himself and knew he was a hero for his country. He brought honor and distinction to himself, family, country, and brothers-at-arms whether or not he was wearing his military uniform. He loved serving his country so much he also served in the Army while fighting in the Korean War. Sidney was a man who was grateful to serve in any capacity and truly was dedicated to his family and country. He will be sorely missed but always remembered as a hero, husband, father, great/grandfather, and friend.
Our country lost one of it's true heroes. Sidney Bedoni, Navajo Code Talker, passed away early Sunday morning, June 8, 2014, surrounded by family. Sidney will always be in our hearts, as we continue on his legacy and share his story. He will most importantly be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We will undeniably miss you but will always remember. We love you, Grandpa. Semper Fidelis…
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lena B. Bedoni. He has 4 children: Virginia (deceased), Emerson (deceased), Darrell, and Norma. 7 grandchildren: Candi (Tooele) Running Bear & Quinn Tooele; Eric, Erin, Dereck, and Le Ann Mantanoña; Jesse Hausteen; 11 great grandchildren: Aubrey Running Bear; Elizabeth, Kaitlynn, Logan, Tyler, Joshua, Paige, and Baby #7 (on the way) Mantanoña; Hasia, Natalee, and Elliana (deceased) Mantanoña
Distinctions/Honors:
Silver Congressional Medal of Honor
Korean Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 16th. A viewing will be held from 9 am to 11 am with the service starting at 11 am in Winslow, AZ at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Winslow, AZ
Burial service will be held Tuesday, June 17th at 10:30 am at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Greer's Mortuary of Winslow,
Winslow, Arizona
Sidney Bedoni
March 10, 1923 - June 08, 2014
Sidney Bedoni was born on March 10, 1923 in Navajo Mountain, Utah. He is from the Salt and Bitterwater Clans. At the age 6, he had been picked up by the U.S. Government, along with other Navajo children, to attend boarding school in Tuba City. His father and mother taught him to speak Navajo. His mother passed away early on in Sidney's life while giving birth to his sister. He loved and missed his mother very much. He always remembered the values she taught him and the support from his father to head to war.
Sidney heard about what was going on in the War while in boarding school and had a desire to serve. Recruiters came to Tuba City asking for young men to serve. He was 16 years old when he enlisted, which of course he had to adjust his age as he was born in a hogan and didn't receive a birth certificate. He had the desire to go but told them he wasn't old enough, which the recruiters said they'll take care of that. They handed him a a form for his father to sign, which allowed him to join. He hitchhiked from Tuba City, AZ to Navajo Mountain, UT to get permission to serve his country. He returned with his father's blessing and later was shipped to San Diego for boot camp.
Sidney fought in World War II and Korean War. He served in the Marine Corps from October 20, 1942 to January 18, 1946. He then re-enlisted with the Army from April 21, 1948 - October 23, 1952. During his enlistment service, his rank was Private First Class. After the Navajo Code Talkers were declassified in 1968, Sidney was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1988 for his outstanding service.
He was involved with multiple battles on multiple islands: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Bougainville, Tinian, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, Japan, Solomon Islands, Vella Lavella Island, New Caledonia, Okinawa. He became a certified paratrooper while stationed in New Caledonia. He was the last living Navajo Code Talker paratrooper. He was very proud to have earned his paratrooper wings. He served in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Marine Corps Divisions, 8th Army, and 1st Parachute Regiment.
Toward the end of his service in the Army, Sidney returned to the states and married his sweetheart, Lena Begay, in Salinas, California on September 10, 1952. They eventually moved back to Arizona and lived in the Flagstaff area where he worked as a Civil Service employee at the Navajo Army Depot in Bellmont, AZ for 35 years. He served as an Explosives Operator from 1953 to 1988. He kept to his culture and way of life as he continued to herd sheep and grow crops on his land.
Sidney's greatest thing he recalls from serving as a Code Talker was saving the lives of his Marine Corps brethren and defeating the enemy through his sacred language along with preserving the life, liberty, and freedoms of our country. He said he'd do it again without question, as he truly loved serving his country and countryman.
Sidney Bedoni is very proud of his culture and tribe, his native language that won the war, his wife, and family. He loved life and his great/grandchildren. His faith played an integral role in his life and he credits his Heavenly Father for protecting him and bringing him home twice from two different wars. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ, whom he regards as his Savior and Redeemer.
He believes his family is an eternal unit and will be together once again after this life. He loved his Marine brothers and did everything he could for them while serving. He didn't hesitate when asked to join, which was evident in his 80 mile hitchhike to his father to obtain permission to serve his country and bring honor to his family and tribe.
He was an active member of the Navajo Code Talker Association and was able to go back and visit the islands of the Pacific with his dear wife, Lena, where he fought and saw his brothers sacrifice their lives for their cause and country. He loved sharing and telling his story to whom ever and where ever he was i.e. restaurants, stores, and at parade.
He was Grand Marshall for so many parades and treasured each experience. He considered himself and knew he was a hero for his country. He brought honor and distinction to himself, family, country, and brothers-at-arms whether or not he was wearing his military uniform. He loved serving his country so much he also served in the Army while fighting in the Korean War. Sidney was a man who was grateful to serve in any capacity and truly was dedicated to his family and country. He will be sorely missed but always remembered as a hero, husband, father, great/grandfather, and friend.
Our country lost one of it's true heroes. Sidney Bedoni, Navajo Code Talker, passed away early Sunday morning, June 8, 2014, surrounded by family. Sidney will always be in our hearts, as we continue on his legacy and share his story. He will most importantly be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We will undeniably miss you but will always remember. We love you, Grandpa. Semper Fidelis…
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lena B. Bedoni. He has 4 children: Virginia (deceased), Emerson (deceased), Darrell, and Norma. 7 grandchildren: Candi (Tooele) Running Bear & Quinn Tooele; Eric, Erin, Dereck, and Le Ann Mantanoña; Jesse Hausteen; 11 great grandchildren: Aubrey Running Bear; Elizabeth, Kaitlynn, Logan, Tyler, Joshua, Paige, and Baby #7 (on the way) Mantanoña; Hasia, Natalee, and Elliana (deceased) Mantanoña
Distinctions/Honors:
Silver Congressional Medal of Honor
Korean Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 16th. A viewing will be held from 9 am to 11 am with the service starting at 11 am in Winslow, AZ at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Winslow, AZ
Burial service will be held Tuesday, June 17th at 10:30 am at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
Winslow, Arizona
Sidney Bedoni
March 10, 1923 - June 08, 2014
Sidney Bedoni was born on March 10, 1923 in Navajo Mountain, Utah. He is from the Salt and Bitterwater Clans. At the age 6, he had been picked up by the U.S. Government, along with other Navajo children, to attend boarding school in Tuba City. His father and mother taught him to speak Navajo. His mother passed away early on in Sidney's life while giving birth to his sister. He loved and missed his mother very much. He always remembered the values she taught him and the support from his father to head to war.
Sidney heard about what was going on in the War while in boarding school and had a desire to serve. Recruiters came to Tuba City asking for young men to serve. He was 16 years old when he enlisted, which of course he had to adjust his age as he was born in a hogan and didn't receive a birth certificate. He had the desire to go but told them he wasn't old enough, which the recruiters said they'll take care of that. They handed him a a form for his father to sign, which allowed him to join. He hitchhiked from Tuba City, AZ to Navajo Mountain, UT to get permission to serve his country. He returned with his father's blessing and later was shipped to San Diego for boot camp.
Sidney fought in World War II and Korean War. He served in the Marine Corps from October 20, 1942 to January 18, 1946. He then re-enlisted with the Army from April 21, 1948 - October 23, 1952. During his enlistment service, his rank was Private First Class. After the Navajo Code Talkers were declassified in 1968, Sidney was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major in 1988 for his outstanding service.
He was involved with multiple battles on multiple islands: Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Bougainville, Tinian, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, Japan, Solomon Islands, Vella Lavella Island, New Caledonia, Okinawa. He became a certified paratrooper while stationed in New Caledonia. He was the last living Navajo Code Talker paratrooper. He was very proud to have earned his paratrooper wings. He served in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Marine Corps Divisions, 8th Army, and 1st Parachute Regiment.
Toward the end of his service in the Army, Sidney returned to the states and married his sweetheart, Lena Begay, in Salinas, California on September 10, 1952. They eventually moved back to Arizona and lived in the Flagstaff area where he worked as a Civil Service employee at the Navajo Army Depot in Bellmont, AZ for 35 years. He served as an Explosives Operator from 1953 to 1988. He kept to his culture and way of life as he continued to herd sheep and grow crops on his land.
Sidney's greatest thing he recalls from serving as a Code Talker was saving the lives of his Marine Corps brethren and defeating the enemy through his sacred language along with preserving the life, liberty, and freedoms of our country. He said he'd do it again without question, as he truly loved serving his country and countryman.
Sidney Bedoni is very proud of his culture and tribe, his native language that won the war, his wife, and family. He loved life and his great/grandchildren. His faith played an integral role in his life and he credits his Heavenly Father for protecting him and bringing him home twice from two different wars. He has a testimony of Jesus Christ, whom he regards as his Savior and Redeemer.
He believes his family is an eternal unit and will be together once again after this life. He loved his Marine brothers and did everything he could for them while serving. He didn't hesitate when asked to join, which was evident in his 80 mile hitchhike to his father to obtain permission to serve his country and bring honor to his family and tribe.
He was an active member of the Navajo Code Talker Association and was able to go back and visit the islands of the Pacific with his dear wife, Lena, where he fought and saw his brothers sacrifice their lives for their cause and country. He loved sharing and telling his story to whom ever and where ever he was i.e. restaurants, stores, and at parade.
He was Grand Marshall for so many parades and treasured each experience. He considered himself and knew he was a hero for his country. He brought honor and distinction to himself, family, country, and brothers-at-arms whether or not he was wearing his military uniform. He loved serving his country so much he also served in the Army while fighting in the Korean War. Sidney was a man who was grateful to serve in any capacity and truly was dedicated to his family and country. He will be sorely missed but always remembered as a hero, husband, father, great/grandfather, and friend.
Our country lost one of it's true heroes. Sidney Bedoni, Navajo Code Talker, passed away early Sunday morning, June 8, 2014, surrounded by family. Sidney will always be in our hearts, as we continue on his legacy and share his story. He will most importantly be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. We will undeniably miss you but will always remember. We love you, Grandpa. Semper Fidelis…
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lena B. Bedoni. He has 4 children: Virginia (deceased), Emerson (deceased), Darrell, and Norma. 7 grandchildren: Candi (Tooele) Running Bear & Quinn Tooele; Eric, Erin, Dereck, and Le Ann Mantanoña; Jesse Hausteen; 11 great grandchildren: Aubrey Running Bear; Elizabeth, Kaitlynn, Logan, Tyler, Joshua, Paige, and Baby #7 (on the way) Mantanoña; Hasia, Natalee, and Elliana (deceased) Mantanoña
Distinctions/Honors:
Silver Congressional Medal of Honor
Korean Service Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Good Conduct Medal
The funeral service will be held Monday, June 16th. A viewing will be held from 9 am to 11 am with the service starting at 11 am in Winslow, AZ at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Winslow, AZ
Burial service will be held Tuesday, June 17th at 10:30 am at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 North Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
