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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Code Talker Reached Corporal


Journal Staff Report
          The Navajo Nation is mourning the death of the fourth World War II Code Talker within five weeks.
        Matthew Martin, 84, of Crownpoint, died this week at his home, his daughter Patricia Begay said this week.
        "As we approach the 233rd anniversary of Independence Day, Navajos' thoughts turn to the service performed by our warriors and veterans, and our honored Navajo Code Talkers are foremost in our thoughts and prayers," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said in a statement issued Wednesday.
        "On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I offer our deepest condolences to the family of the late Matthew Martin, another of our distinguished Code Talkers, and we thank him and them for the service he rendered to the Navajo Nation and United States during World War II."
        A 10 a.m. funeral service is scheduled for today at the Gospel Lighthouse Assembly of God Church, 100 Crownpoint Drive, in Crownpoint.
        Born in Star Lake, N.M., Martin enlisted in the Marine Corps in Santa Fe in 1943, according to information provided by the Navajo Nation.
        He was qualified as a marksman and a code talker and reached the rank of corporal.
        Martin was at Iwo Jima, the Volcano Islands and Japan during the occupation.
        Among his awards were a good conduct medal and, in 2001, the Navajo Code Talker Congressional Silver Medal. His service and contributions also were recognized by Arizona Gov. Jane Hull and the Arizona Legislature in 2002, according to the Navajo government.
        After he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in May 1946, Martin worked for the BNSF Railway. He retired in 1988 and worked at home, raising livestock and farming.
        Martin's survivors include Linda E. Martin, his wife, and a number of children.
       

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