Navajo Code Talker Samuel Tom Holiday passed away Monday at age 94.
Born in Monument Valley, Utah, on June 2, 1924, Holiday served with the 4th Marine Division, 25th Regiment during World War II. Part of an elite group of Marines, Holiday sent and received coded messages as he served his country in Saipan, Iwo Jima, Tinian and Marshall Island, in the Pacific Theater.
That code, based on the Navajo language, proved unbreakable and helped the United States win the war. Holiday received a Congressional Silver Medal and a Purple Heart for his service.
After the war, Holiday made his home in Kayenta, Ariz., and worked as a police officer. He married Lupita Mae Isaac in 1954 and the two had eight children, 33 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending.