Code Talker Ch.7-18

First Sergeant Shinn

a genuine Marine recruiter who has tremendous pride in being one

Marine uniform

beautiful and striking, with coat and trousers made of cloth that shone “as blue as the sky”. The cap and gloves were “as white as snow”. The leather boots were “as black and polished as jet”

Semper Fidelis

Marine motto, meaning “always faithful”

Johnny Manuelito

a corporal who recruited Navajos from the eastern side of the reservation ; part of the first-ever Indian platoon; becomes their teacher at code school

Blessingway

 protection ceremony Ned’s parents have him participate in before he leaves for war

Big Schoolboy

aka Hosteen/Frank Mitchel; friend of Ned’s uncle; performs the Blessingway (respected, wise, modest, fun)

corn pollen

used during Blessingway; kept pouch with him and ate some corn pollen whenever he needed peace, balance, and safety

Fort Defiance

where the Navajos began the Long Walk and Ned's first stop at boot camp.

leathernecks

nickname for Marines

Camp Elliot

where the Navajos were taken to learn their code talking skills

Corporal Radant

instructor at Camp Elliot that the Navajos got along with

Mr. Lawson

one of Ned's teachers who told him Native Americans will never be smart enough to do anything but herd sheep.

Pearl Harbor

where the Navajo Marines met to update their code

Guadalcanal

an island located in the Philippines

Gene-gene

one of the indigenous people to the island who Ned can relate to

prickly pear

what the Navajos drank to stay hydrated when walking through the desert

Operation Cartwheel

the name given to the Bougainville invasion that would "turn the war around"

Battle of Four Sitting Ducks

when the Japanese attacked and sank four American cruisers, leaving the other marines stranded on Guadalcanal

malaria

disease transmitted by mosquitoes

banzai attack

a massive attack (wave) by the Japanese

C-rations

an individual canned meal for soldiers

Atabrine

an antimalarial drug

Why can’t Ned join the Marines?

He is too young-- had to be 17-32. His parents could have said he was old enough, but felt he wasn’t ready.

What was Ned's boot camp experience like?

His boot camp experience was intense, but easy for Ned because he was used to all the physical activity from his Navajo lifestyle.

Things like marching long distances while carrying heavy packs, and running/ climbing obstacles were parts of “everyday Navajo life back then”. They were used to walking great distances while carrying things/ going days without eating.

How did the Blessingway make Ned feel?

“There was truly blessing all around me and all through me. With that new dawn, with my mind and my body, my spirit and my emotions in good balance, I was ready to begin my journey as a warrior for America” (56).

What is the job of a code talker?

The job of a code talker was to learn the top-secret code based on the Navajo language. They were also expected to be expert communicators who could send battlefield messages only they could understand.

Where were the codes stored?

The codes were so top-secret that they were only stored in a marine's memory.

Why didn't the Navajos receive promotions?

The Navajos did not receive promotions due to the secrecy of their mission, but also because they were "still living in a white man's world".

Why was a new code created?

A new code was created because the Japanese were able to crack the previous codes. The US needed to use a language people knew nothing about.

Why were corpses a problem for the Navajo?

The corpses were a problem for the Navajo because their cultural traditions said that bad spirits remained in the bodies, causing bad luck and sickness.

Give an example of man vs. nature from the Marines experience on Guadalcanal.

the Marines vs. the "jungle" creatures of Guadalcanal. These creatures included: poisonous snakes and centipedes and mosquitos carrying malaria.

How does the author use the quietness of the Marines on the boat to build suspense before the pre-battle scene of D-day? (Be specific!)

to build up the chaos that ensued during the battle erupted. The marines are all keeping their nerves at bay-- humming, praying, doing anything to keep them busy-- while sailing through the darkness. Then, suddenly, the sky lights up with an explosion and the craziness begins.

Describe the conditions the Marines faced during battle.

tough terrain (jungles/ swampy)

sickness (malaria)

food supply (rations)

lurking Japanese/ traps

danger of being shot at