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Navajo President Joe Shirley, Jr., orders flags to half-staff in honor of the late Navajo Code Talker Allen Dale June, 90
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., today ordered flags on the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff from sunrise Sept. 11 to sunset Sept. 15 in honor and recognition of the late Navajo Code Talker Allen Dale June, who died Wednesday. He was 90.
The late Allen Dale June was renowned as one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who served the United States of America, the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Navajo Nation during World War II with courage, honor and distinction,” President Shirley said.
“Mr. June endured the horrors of combat on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima as a radio operator in a forward echelon against hostile forces,” he said. “The Navajo Nation unites and offers prayers and deepest condolences to his family during this time of grief.”
Mr. June was born on Nov. 28, 1921, to Kinlichii nii-Tl ízi lání and born for Yé’ii Diné Tachii’ nii. He passed away at the Presscott Veteran’s Hospital of natural causes.
Mr. June graduated from the Tuba City Vocational High School in Tuba City, Ariz., in 1941. Upon hearing the news of the outbreak of World War II, Mr. June hitchhiked to Fort Defiance on his way to Fort Wingate when he heard the announcement seeking Navajos who would become Code Talkers. He joined the U.S. Marines to become one of first 29 Navajos to compose the secret group that developed an unbreakable code.
He served from 1941 to 1945 and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
After his military service, Mr. June graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in Las Cruces, N.M., in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in business
administration, accounting and economics. He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Utah in 1975.
Although he spoke little about having been a Code Talker, in later life he always wore his red Navajo Code Talker cap with his name on it. In 2001, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with the other original Code Talkers for his pioneering Marine service.
Mr. June is survived by his wife, Virginia June, his brothers Adolph June, Jr., Floyd June, Jackie June and Keith June, 11 children, nieces and nephews and many grandchildren.
His funeral has been re-scheduled from Monday to Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Page, Ariz. Burial will be at the family cemetery in Kaibeto, Ariz.
For more information, please call his brother Adolph June, Jr., at 928-673-5819.