Allen Dale June
Encyclopedia
Allen Dale June was an American
veteran
of World War II
. June was one of the 29 original Navajo
code talkers who served in the United States Marine Corps
during the war.
June was born in Kaibito, Arizona
on November 28, 1921, to a Navajo family. His mother was , born for , and his father was named , born for . June graduated from Tuba City Vocational High School in Tuba City in 1941. Once the United States entered World War II later that year and began recruiting Navajos as code talkers, June hitchhiked to Fort Defiance
and Fort Wingate
to enlist.
June enlisted in 1941 and became one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers in the U.S. Marines. he served until the end of World War II in 1945, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant
.
June received a bachelor's degree
in business administration, accounting and economics
from New Mexico Highlands University
in 1952. He later also obtained a master's degree
in 1975 from the University of Utah
.
Dale, along with the other original 9 Navajo code talkers, received the Congressional Gold Medal on December 21, 2000. In recent years, residents of Longmont, Colorado
, raised money to buy June and his third wife, Virginia June, a home when they learned the couple had no permanent place to live.
Allen Dale June died at Presscott Veteran's Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, on September 8, 2010, at the age of 89. June had become ill while on a trip to Arizona
from the family's home in Longmont, Colorado
. He was survived by his wife, Virginia June; eleven children; four brothers - Adolph June Jr., Floyd June, Jackie June and Keith June; as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was buried at a family cemetery in Kaibeto, Arizona.
With June's death in 2010, there are now only two survivors of the original 29 Navajo code talkers, Chester Nez and Lloyd Oliver
. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. ordered all flags to be flown at half staff in June's honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. June was one of the 29 original Navajo
Navajo people
The Navajo of the Southwestern United States are the largest single federally recognized tribe of the United States of America. The Navajo Nation has 300,048 enrolled tribal members. The Navajo Nation constitutes an independent governmental body which manages the Navajo Indian reservation in the...
code talkers who served in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the war.
June was born in Kaibito, Arizona
Kaibito, Arizona
Kaibito is a census-designated place in Coconino County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,607 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kaibito is located at , at an elevation of 5,810 feet ....
on November 28, 1921, to a Navajo family. His mother was , born for , and his father was named , born for . June graduated from Tuba City Vocational High School in Tuba City in 1941. Once the United States entered World War II later that year and began recruiting Navajos as code talkers, June hitchhiked to Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance may refer to:Canada*Fort Defiance , winter quarters for American Captain Robert GrayUnited States* Fort Defiance, Arizona, an unincorporated community* Fort Defiance , formerly Roop's Fort, located in Susanville...
and Fort Wingate
Fort Wingate
Fort Wingate is near Gallup, New Mexico. There were two locations in New Mexico that had this name. The first one was located near San Rafael. The current fort was established on the southern edge of the Navajo territory in 1862. The initial purpose of the fort was to control the large Navajo...
to enlist.
June enlisted in 1941 and became one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers in the U.S. Marines. he served until the end of World War II in 1945, when he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
.
June received a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in business administration, accounting and economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University
New Mexico Highlands University is a public university located in Las Vegas, New Mexico.-History:The university was first established as New Mexico Normal School in 1893, with the prominent archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett serving as its first president...
in 1952. He later also obtained a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in 1975 from the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
.
Dale, along with the other original 9 Navajo code talkers, received the Congressional Gold Medal on December 21, 2000. In recent years, residents of Longmont, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
, raised money to buy June and his third wife, Virginia June, a home when they learned the couple had no permanent place to live.
Allen Dale June died at Presscott Veteran's Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, on September 8, 2010, at the age of 89. June had become ill while on a trip to Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
from the family's home in Longmont, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Longmont is a Home Rule Municipality in Boulder and Weld counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Longmont is located in Northern Colorado. Longmont is the 13th most populous city in the State of Colorado. The word "Longmont" comes from Longs Peak, a prominent mountain named for explorer Stephen H....
. He was survived by his wife, Virginia June; eleven children; four brothers - Adolph June Jr., Floyd June, Jackie June and Keith June; as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was buried at a family cemetery in Kaibeto, Arizona.
With June's death in 2010, there are now only two survivors of the original 29 Navajo code talkers, Chester Nez and Lloyd Oliver
Lloyd Oliver
Lloyd Oliver was an American veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a one of the original 29 members of the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II, and the brother of fellow Code Talker Willard Varnell Oliver....
. Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. ordered all flags to be flown at half staff in June's honor.