Honoring the Code Talkers of the Pacific Theater : Three Heroes Return Home

“Three Marine Code Talkers who fought on Peleliu, here pictured on their way to Okinawa in late March 1945. From left to right, Private First Class Joe Hosteen Kelwood (Navajo), Private First Class Floyd Saupitty (Comanche), and Private First Class Alex Williams (Navajo).” – USMC photo 129851 US Signal Corps Archive

Joe Hosteen Kelwood, of Steamboat Canyon, Arizona, returned to the States after the war and was a carpenter by trade. Joe was a proud member of VFW 9400 and American Legion 75 for many years. Private First Class Kelwood served in the First Marine Division and saw battle on Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Okinawa. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Naval Unit Commendation, Good Conduct, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal. Joe remained a lifelong citizen of Arizona and passed away on September 5, 2016 at the age of 95.

According to the USMC Archive Private First Class Floyd Saupitty served in combat on Peleliu in addition to his duties as a Code Talker. He returned to Lawton, Oklahoma after the war. He passed away on June 22, 1974 at the age of 57.

Private First Class Alex Williams of Leupp Arizona, joined the Marines in 1943 but did not become a Code Talker until 1944. He was very active in this assignment, sometimes sending messages night and day. Later, he was given charge of the communications journal. While at war, Williams carried a small bag of corn pollen, which Navajos consider sacred. He states that his son also took one to Vietnam and came back safely. Williams returned to Red Lake, Leupp Arizona after the war where he lived along and prosperous life. Lest We Forget.