This true, short story, 30 minutes, is educational, inspiring and has national significance to every American living today! The story begins an hour from my home in Flagstaff, Arizona. In 1896, Philip Johnston, age 4, arrived on the Navajo Reservation with his parents, William and Maggie. He grew up playing with Navajo children, riding his pony to the trading post, going with his father to visit Navajo families among many other activities. In 1901, William brought Navajo leaders to Washington to plead their case to expand the borders of the reservation. Nine-year-old Philip did all the translating and interpreting between the Navajos and President Theodore Roosevelt. Philip eventually took a job as an engineer in California, but returned to the Navajo Reservation at least once a year to visit family and Navajo friends. When the United States entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Philip was dismayed that our military efforts were failing because the Japanese were breaking all our codes. Philip Johnston had an idea! This is a fascinating short story about Philip’s life growing up on the Navajo Reservation and the equally fascinating story of his role with the amazing Navajo Code Talkers.
This new edition also list the names of the 29 original Code Talkers and a link to the names of all 400. As a bonus, I included my dad, V.G. “Spud” Benson’s humorous short story, “Those Reservation Roads,” which he published in 1968. My dad drove for a medical doctor on the reservation in the 1920’s and 30’s. My dad’s story, 10 minute read time, is guaranteed to make you laugh!
Also available as an audio book and a print booklet. To order print booklets @4.00 each, contact the UPS Store, 4532 N. Fourth Street, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86004. 928-526-4653.
