2025 Navajo Code Talkers
George County ARES recently had the privilege of hosting a special Zoom presentation on the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II.
Our guests were Herb Goodluck, N7HG, from Arizona, and Herb’s son Trevor. Herb is the son of Navajo Code Talker John Goodluck and serves as a coordinator for the annual Code Talkers amateur radio special event.
During the 90-minute presentation, Herb and Trevor discussed the history of the Navajo Nation, the origins of the Navajo Code Talkers, and how the Navajo code was developed and put into use during World War II.
Remembering the Code Talkers
Herb shared the story of the Navajo Code Talkers and their important contribution during World War II. The code they developed provided a remarkably effective method of battlefield communication.
The presentation also explored the broader history of the Navajo Nation, including the long road toward full participation in American civic life.
Herb continues to honor that history through the annual Code Talkers for Ham Radio special event. The 2025 event is scheduled for August 10–15, 2025.
A Personal Connection
The presentation was especially meaningful because Herb was able to share stories about his father, John Goodluck, as well as the history of the Code Talkers themselves.
Herb described his father as someone with a wonderful sense of humor who enjoyed making people laugh. John Goodluck passed away on April 1, 2000, prompting the family to joke that even the date reflected that sense of humor.
The presentation wasn’t without a little humor of its own. When GC ARES member Bob, KO5F, asked whether the Navajo language had any curse words, the group ended up receiving an unexpected language lesson.
We’ll leave the translation as an exercise for the reader.
A Great Turnout
A total of 27 people representing six Mississippi counties participated in the meeting.
It was a rare opportunity to hear this history through a family connection to one of the Code Talkers and to learn how that history continues to be remembered through amateur radio.
For those who weren’t able to attend, the presentation was recorded and is available for viewing or download below.
/downloads/presentations/Code_Talkers_2025-20260709T183420Z-2-001.zip