One of the last of the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. As a Marine in World War II, Palmer and 28 other Code Talkers used their native language to transmit military messages on enemy tactics, Japanese troop movements and other battlefield information by telephone and radio. The Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. Their work was impossible for the enemy to decode. After the war, Palmer and the others were told to keep the Navajo code a secret. Even after the information was declassified in 1968, they were reluctant to discuss it or take credit for their deeds. Surviving members received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2000 for their service. Four are still alive. Joe died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at age 84.
One of the last of the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. As a Marine in World War II, Palmer and 28 other Code Talkers used their native language to transmit military messages on enemy tactics, Japanese troop movements and other battlefield information by telephone and radio. The Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. Their work was impossible for the enemy to decode. After the war, Palmer and the others were told to keep the Navajo code a secret. Even after the information was declassified in 1968, they were reluctant to discuss it or take credit for their deeds. Surviving members received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2000 for their service. Four are still alive. Joe died at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center at age 84.
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