Final answer:
In 1968, the US military recognized the contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers from World War II, who used their indigenous language to create an uncrackable code for secure military communication.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of Navajo Code Talkers
In 1968, the US military continued to benefit from the Navajo Code Talkers' contributions during World War II. These Native American marines, utilizing their indigenous language, played a crucial role in secure communications across US forces in the Pacific Theatre. The Navajo language was leveraged to create a code based on its complexity and lack of a formal alphabet, allowing for encrypted verbal communication that was nearly impossible for enemy forces to decipher.
Despite being young and some lying about their age, the Navajo code talkers underwent rigorous training, often memorizing up to 17 pages of codes. They adapted their language to fit military terms, with phrases like "iron fish" representing a "submarine" and developing a unique phonetic alphabet to spell out locations and other important information.
Aside from the Navajo, other Native American tribes participated in the war effort using their languages, including the Comanches in Europe and the Meskwakis in North Africa. In total, over 44,000 Native Americans served in World War II, showcasing the value of their languages and culture.