I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Navajo code talker Samuel Sandoval. I had the honor of introducing him at his talks at the Cortez Cultural Center for many years. The Navajo code talkers were our secret weapon.

Sandoval landed with the Marine Corps in five island invasions in the South Pacific, always in the very first wave. One thing is for certain and one thing is for sure. Sandoval and all of the Navajo code talkers will forever reside in the pantheon of great American heroes.

Denis Boon

Cortez