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Prime Times Weekly feature of the Mail Tribune , Medford, Oregon CODE of HONOR AP photos William Dean Wilson, far left, shown in a 1945 photo, used his Navajo language as a World War II Code Talker to confound the Japanese, who up to that point had broken every American code. The Indian language, with its Asian sounds combined with Americanisms confused the enemy enabling the Americans to communicate without fear of detection. Wilson, shown before his death at 76 on Dec. 15, became a highly respected tribal member who was a tribal judge for 15 years and helped inspire a return to fading cultural traditions. WWII Navajo Code Talker's belief in himself and his tribal culture helped restore fading traditions By LEAH L. CULLER for The Associated Press FARMINGTON, N.M. -- A little white lie on an armed forces application landed William Dean Wilson a stint as the youngest of 29 original Navajo Code Talkers. Wilson enlisted with the Marine Corps in 1938 as a 15-year-old. He claimed to be 18 on his application. During World War II, the Japanese broke every code the United States used. Then 29 Navajo young men were recruited to serve as Code Talkers. The men developed a code using the complicated Navajo language. Wilson, second from right, participates with other Navajo in the long Walk commemoration in 1968. From that point forth, the Japanese defenders heard a "strange language, gurgling," according to the book, "Warriors." It was a language with Asian overtones and what seemed to be a lot of American double-talk. It was, in fact, Navajo -- a special kind of Navajo. The code was successful, so the Marines recruited additional Code Talkers. Each platoon had at least two Code Talkers. At the end of his initial service, Wilson re-enlisted for another four years. Wilson's cousin, Wallace McGilbert, said Wilson survived as a Code Talker because he believed in who he was as a Navajo. "It was part of himself and his journey," he said. Throughout his service in the Marine Corps, Wilson served as part of the 1st, 2nd and 5th Marine Divisions in Guadalcanal, New Zealand, New Hebrides, Tarawa, Hawaii and Sasebo. In 1960, Wilson applied for a judgeship with the Navajo Nation. He served as a tribal judge in Shiprock in New Mexico and in Window Rock and Chinle in Arizona for 15 years. Wilson stands with two children during a 1940s visit to China. He fought in some of the bloodiest Pacific campaigns. Wilson died Dec. 15 in Farmington at age 76. At his funeral on Dec. 20, former Chief Justice Tom Tso said Wilson was part of the beginning of the peacemaker court. The court, the Navajo tribal court, is now fully developed and in 1999, received an award from the Harvard law school. As part of his duties as a tribal judge, Wilson, a Teec Nos Pos, Ariz., native, traveled the reservation and presided over regular court cases, McGilbert said. At the same time he was serving as a judge, Wilson was working to revive Navajo traditional dancing in this region. "I remember Navajo was kind of losing their culture, so he wanted to reintroduce the Navajo traditional way because he was afraid they would lose it," McGilbert said. According to McGilbert, the powwow was not popular during that time. But when people saw Wilson's dancing, they began to get interested and start other groups. "I believe he was instrumental to reintroduce the traditional way of dancing and singing and everything," McGilbert said. Wilson formed the group Dineh BaAllill, which performed four dances which were the main part of the Navajo traditional ceremony. Wilson's sister, Ada Scott, said he was adamant about his culture even in high school, starting Indian clubs and participating in tribal fairs and parades. Even after he left military service and the tribal judgeship, Wilson continued to work on and off in government civil service. When he eventually retired from the Indian Health Service, he received a letter from the director, John Hubbard Jr. "Your accomplishments have been many and, indeed, you have had a federal career to be proud of," the letter reads. Wilson's wife, Mary Louise Defender Wilson, said Wilson's traditional upbringing as a Navajo somehow gave him the strength to accomplish things. Even as a boy, Wilson's parents dressed him in traditional Navajo turquoise jewelry. "They (the Navajo people) believe that the turquoise is representing a male," McGilbert said. "White shell represents a female. You wore those to show that you're Indian. When you identify yourself as an Indian to the Creator, he will recognize you and bless you." At a young age, Wilson herded sheep on his own. McGilbert said he believes his cousin learned a great deal from this experience. "When you're herding sheep, wherever you are is where you camp," McGilbert said. "You stay with the sheep and cook for yourself. Your family brings you food once a month." Mary Louise said her husband used to talk about how he would save food. He also would have to live off the land and eat whatever was available. "He'd talk about how he'd prepare prairie dog to eat," she said. "I always thought that was interesting." McGilbert said when Wilson was out herding sheep, he would look around at nature. "It makes you think and get a vision of what's ahead," McGilbert said. "I think that's how he learned all this." Above all of his achievements, however, Wilson was known as a man who cared about others. "People think he's gruff and grouchy," Mary Louise said. "But he was always a helpful person, supporting and encouraging others." Scott said Wilson was encouraging and always wanted to be with the family. "He would come by and visit us all the time," she said. "He cared a lot about all his family." Wilson's nephew, Norman Yazzie, said his uncle gave him a gift that encouraged him to get involved in Navajo dancing. "I had always been interested in dancing and powwow," he said. "He gave me two eagle feathers. After I got those, I really got into it. When that kind of gift is given, the rest comes." Yazzie said he wears the eagle feathers Wilson gave him when he dances. McGilbert said one of his fondest memories of his cousin was the time Wilson taught him how to skin a deer. "He showed me from the beginning," he said. "He even showed me how to cook it different ways." Wilson encouraged everyone, his wife said. She had always wanted to be an actress but had been discouraged in her younger years. When the opportunity came for her to try out for a Chautauqua tour, Wilson encouraged her and she was successful. The one thing Wilson never did was take a break. "He didn't want to sit around," McGilbert said. "He always wanted to do something." Prime Times front page Mail Tribune front page Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA