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Little-Known War Heroes Created an Unbreakable Code
Jun 13, 2002/ FW/ --- Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE: HAS) has announced the re-issue of its popular G.I. JOE
Navajo Code Talker figure.
This "talking" action figure honors the more than 400
Navajo Code Talkers, whose unbreakable code was instrumental in Marine maneuvers
that took place in the Pacific during World War II-from Guadalcanal in 1942 to
Okinawa in 1945. To this day, the Navajo Code remains the only unbroken code
ever implemented in the history of war.
"The G.I. JOE line celebrates real American heroes, and we constantly look
around for those stories that are particularly deserving to be told to a new
generation of kids. The tale of the Navajo Code Talkers is uniquely American,
filled with bravery," said Derryl DePriest, Director of Marketing for the G.I.
JOE brand.
"The G.I. JOE Navajo Code Talker figure was incredibly popular when
it was first released in 2000. We're happy to bring it back as part of our 2002
lineup of collectible G.I. JOE action figures and to continue spreading the word
about the historic accomplishments of these unsung heroes."
Standing 12-inches high, the G.I. JOE Navajo Code Talker figure speaks seven
different phrases in Navajo Code followed by an English translation. The
figure's voice was recorded by a veteran World War II Navajo Code Talker.
The
figure is authentically clothed in a standard-issue World War II U.S. Marine
Corps uniform, featuring a camouflage-covered helmet, web belt, hand phone set,
backpack radio, M-1 rifle, dog tags, shirt, pants, and boots.
A brief overview
of the Code Talkers' incredible story and courage is featured on the packaging.
The G.I. JOE Navajo Code Talker figure is available at Toys "R" Us and select
other retailers nationwide at an approximate retail price of $24.99.
About Navajo Code Talkers
During the early 1940s, the Allied forces of World War II were faced with a
grim situation in the Pacific campaign. The Japanese were excellent code
breakers and could anticipate every move the Allies made. To regain control, an
unbreakable code was needed.
Navajo is a spoken language: no written form exists. Hence, it had to be
documented phonetically for code use. And until World War II, the language had
only been spoken on Navajo reservations in the American Southwest. Complex,
sophisticated, impossible for non-natives to learn or understand, the Navajo
language-encrypted for military use-became the perfect unbreakable code.
On February 28, 1942, two Navajo recruits successfully encoded, transmitted,
and decoded messages in Navajo Code in about 20 seconds: more than 29 minutes
faster than the encryption machines that were in use at that time. The project
was given the go-ahead and with the approval of the Navajo Tribal Council, male
tribal members were recruited for the war effort.
The first trial of the code occurred at Guadalcanal in 1942. It was so
successful that the military recommended further deployment of Marine Code
Talkers (as they came to be known) to all divisions. By the war's end, there
were approximately 400 active Navajo Code Talkers in the Pacific campaign.
The Navajo Code retained its usefulness even after the war. The Code Talkers
were discharged without fanfare and told to keep the code a secret. It wasn't
until 1969 that the Code Talkers were officially recognized for their efforts.
And in 1971, they received Certificates of Appreciation from President Nixon.
For more information about G.I. JOE, visit www.gijoe.com. For additional information about the
Official G.I. JOE Collector's Club, call (817) 448-9863, or visit www.mastercollector.com
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