Navajo Code Talker Milton Gishal Passes – Second Code Talker during this Past Week

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WINDOW ROCK, ARIZONA – Navajo President Ben Shelly's office announced the passing of Navajo Code Talker Milton Gishal, who died on June 8 in Farmington, New Mexico. Mr. Gishal was 93.

Navajo Code Talker Milton GishalThe Navajo Nation Flag will remain at half staff.

He is the second Navajo Code Talker to die within the past week. Navajo Code Talker King Fowler passed away on June 7. President Shelly ordered the Navajo Nation Flag to be flown at half staff until sundown June 18 to honor the memory of both Navajo heroes.

Born on December 15, 1919 in Jeddito, Arizona, Gishal joined the US Marine Corps during World War II, where he served as a Navajo Code Talker. He took part in the Battle Iwo Jima.

After the war, Gishal became a rancher, farmer, railroad worker, carpenter and even a Navajo Councilman. He was also a medicine man fo the Native American Church.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated June 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Holbrook.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ruby, 10 children, Pete Gishal, Mary Robertson, Anita Haskie, Stacey Gishal, Juanita Roanhorse, Milton Gishal Jr., Wil Gishal, Alton Bedonie, Marie Bahe and MaryLou Norris, 34 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

“It's a sad week for our Navajo people knowing that we lost two more of our modern day heroes. The Navajo Nation's prayers and condolences are with both families. Our Navajo Code Talkers are the sources of great pride for our people. There is a certain pride that our Code Talkers created because they used our language to defeat the Japanese in World War II. We will forever in indebted to the services of our Navajo Code Talkers,”
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