Corporal Henry Bake, Jr. (left) of Ft. Defiance, Arizona and Pfc. George Kirk (right) of Leupp, Arizona operate a portable radio unit on the front line in the jungles of Bougainville, in the Solomon Islands

Advanced training required long hard hours in the classroom, not only memorizing the Navajo code, but learning other communications methods as well.

A platoon of Navajo Code Talkers in formation at Camp Elliott under the supervision of Staff Sgt. Philip Johnston.

The first detachment of Navajo Communications Specialists pose for this group picture upon completion of their basic training program in May, 1942.

Recruiting stations were hastily set up throughout the Navajo reservation during the days following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Here, a number of Navajos, some with their shotguns or rifles, sign up to go to war.