Frank Chee Willeto
Frank Chee Willeto | |
---|---|
Milton Bluehouse, Sr. | |
Succeeded by | Taylor McKenzie |
Personal details | |
Born | Crownpoint, New Mexico | June 6, 1925
Died | June 23, 2012 Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | (aged 87)
Nationality | Navajo Nation and USA |
Frank Chee Willeto (June 6, 1925 – June 23, 2012) was an
Early life
Willeto was born in Crownpoint, New Mexico, on June 6, 1925.[1] According to the Navajo Times, Willeto was "Bit'ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Tódích'íi'nii (Bitter Water Clan). His maternal great grandfather was Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle Clan) and his paternal family was Naakai dine'é (Mexican People Clan)."[2]
Code talker
He enlisted in the
Career
He returned to the Navajo Nation following the end of World War II. He was employed in the roads department of the Bureau of Indian Affairs from 1946 until 1974.[1] Willeto then joined the United States Department of Education.[4]
Willeto was elected to the Navajo Nation Council in 1974.[4] He remained on the council until 1986, when he was elected as the president of the Pueblo Pintado Chapter.[4] Willeto also served as a judge on the former Navajo Supreme Judicial Council, a precursor to the present-day Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation.[1][4]
On July 23, 1998, Navajo Nation President
Later life
He remained active in public life. Willeto was a proponent of the new
Willeto was a frequent visitor to the eastern United States, especially
Willeto died at his home in Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico, on June 23, 2012, at the age of 87.[1][2][3] New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in Willeto's honor.[3] Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly also offered all Navajo flags to be flown at half staff from June 25 until June 28.[4] His funeral was held at the Tseဴ Yi’ Gai High School in Pueblo Pintado.[4] Willeto was buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 29, 2012, at a ceremony attended by 150 people, including Governor Martinez.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Brunt, Charles D. (2012-06-25). "Former Navajo Code Talker Willeto Dies". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on 2019-06-12. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ a b c d e f Smith, Noel Lyn (2012-07-05). "A life of service, Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willetto is remembered by memorial speakers". Navajo Times. Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
- ^ The Deming Headlight. Archived from the originalon 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Funeral for Late Code Talker Frank Chee Willeto Set for Tomorrow". Native News Network. 2012-06-27. Archived from the original on 2012-11-09. Retrieved 2012-07-13.
- Kingman Daily Miner. Associated Press. 1998-07-26. Archivedfrom the original on 2015-10-09. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
- ^ "Navajo leaders urge tribal youth to vote". The Daily Courier (Arizona). Associated Press. 1998-10-28. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
Further reading
Frank Willeto
- Code Talkers' Stories Recorded in DC. Talking Feather. June 19, 2010.
- Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willeto to join SCIA Panel on Way of the Warrior. Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine Navajo Nation Washington Office. November 16, 2011.
- Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willeto Dies. Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine KOB-TV. June 23, 2012.
- Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willeto Walk On. Archived 2012-06-30 at the Wayback Machine Indian Country Today Media Network. June 26, 2012.
- Navajo Code Talkers honored with N.M. highway dedication. The Buffalo Post.
Code Talkers
- Aaseng, Nathan. Navajo Code Talkers: America’s Secret Weapon in World War II. New York: Walker & Company, 1992.
- Durrett, Deanne. Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Story of the Navajo Code Talkers. Library of American Indian History, Facts on File, Inc., 1998.
- McClain, Salley. Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers. Tucson, Arizona: Rio Nuevo Publishers, 2001.