2 Code Talkers pass on in one week
Navajo Code Talker Guy Clauschee waits for the 68th annual Navajo Nation Fair parade to begin on Saturday morning, Sept. 6, 2014, in Tse Bonito, N.M. Clauschee passed away early Thursday morning of natural causes, according to his family. Funeral services will be on Monday, Sept. 15. (Times photo - Donovan Quintero)
Two Navajo Code Talkers died this past week, according to the tribal government and family members.
Navajo Code Talker Guy Clauschee waits for the 68th annual Navajo Nation Fair parade to begin on Saturday morning, Sept. 6, 2014, in Tse Bonito, N.M. Clauschee passed away early Thursday morning of natural causes, according to his family. Funeral services will be on Monday. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)
Guy Clauschee, 87, died early Thursday morning in Fort Defiance. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday at the Fort Defiance Presbyterian Church.
A Code Talker throughout most of World War II, Clauschee came back from the war and continued his education at the Ganado Mission. After graduating in 1950, he moved to Window Rock and started work with the Bureau of indian Affairs as a facilities management foreman. He retired after 40 years.
On Wednesday, tribal officials reported the death of another Navajo Code Talker, Robert Walley Sr., 93.
Walley served as a Code Talker from 1943 to 1945, during which he received a Purple Heart. He served in the 6th Marine Division and was a Marine Raider who fought in the Battle of Bougainville, Guam, Okinawa and the occupation of Emirau Island.
Both Walley and Clauschee received Congressional Silver Medals for their service as Navajo Code Talkers.
According to figures supplied by the Navajo Code Talkers Association, the number of Code Talkers has gone from more 400 to just 27.
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