Tom Udall: “I wish to honor David Earl Patterson, Sr., a man who gave selflessly to his family, the Navajo Nation, and his country.…”

“I wish to honor David Earl Patterson, Sr., a man who gave selflessly to his family, the Navajo Nation, and his country. Mr. Patterson was born November 11, 1922. He was Tachil'nii--Red Running Into the Water People Clan, born for Kinlichii'nii--the Red House People Clan. He attended Catholic school in Shiprock NM, and remained a devout Catholic his entire life. Mr. Patterson entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and was one of about 400 Navajo code talkers trained on radio communications. He served in the Marshall Islands, the islets of Roi and Namur, the Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, and Iwo Jima. Navajo code talkers played a critical role in the Battle of Iwo Jima. During the first 2 days of the battle, the marines had six Navajo code talkers who worked around the clock during the first 2 days of the battle. They sent and received over 800 messages, all without error. Their marine commander said later, ``Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would never have taken Iwo Jima.'' Mr. Patterson received an honorable discharge in 1945. Mr. Patterson was humble about his wartime contribution to our Nation and did not talk much about his World War II experience. The United States honored him and his fellow Navajo code talkers with the Congressional Silver Medal of Honor in 2001. After the war, Mr. Patterson married Marion Patterson, and they raised seven children. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather.…”