Communicating in code (fwd link)

[phil cash cash]

Communicating in code
Museum shares secrets of Navajos' wartime aid

By David Hasemyer
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
2:00 a.m. August 10, 2009
USA

BALBOA PARK — One of the most complex codes ever used in warfare was created
during World War II in San Diego by the Marine Corps using Navajo recruits and
their intricate native language, a local historical footnote featured in a
Museum of San Diego History presentation yesterday.

Navajo Indians were specially recruited during World War II to serve as code
talkers in the Pacific, Gabe Selak, public programs manager for the San Diego
Historical Society, told visitors attending the museum's Secret Codes and
Espionage program.

It was gibberish to the confounded Japanese who tried to break the code, Selak
said.

“They picked up on the transmissions and clearly heard what was being said, but
it was just a jumble of sounds to them,” he said.

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