A Navajo Code Talker from World War II, Joe Hosteen Kellwood, passed away at the age of 95 in Phoenix, a spokesman for the Navajo Nation confirmed.  Arizona governor Doug Ducey asked the citizens to remember Kellwood’s service to the America.

Ducey said in a written statement, that, “Kellwood served with distinction in the 1st Marine Division as a Navajo code talker, ultimately helping lead the Allied forces to victory in WWII."

"Today, as Arizonans celebrate the life of this amazing man, let us pray for his family, his friends, and the Navajo Nation. And let us never forget the countless contributions that code talkers have made to our state and our country,” he said.

The AZCentral reported, Kellwood said in the 1999 Republic interview, that, "I was never scared during battles because I told Mama Water to take care of me."  "We had to feel like we were bigger than the enemy in battle. I had my prayer and my chewing gum."

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Nandini