Growing Up with Heroes 2: The Lecture

In this lecture, Anthony shares historical information about the pilot group of Navajo Code Talkers, the First Twenty-nine, which his grandfather - Dr. Carl N. Gorman - was the oldest member of. He takes you through how the US Marine Corps decided to use the Navajo language as a code and how Platoon 382 created a fully functional code out of their Navajo language that helped the United States win the Pacific War. Furthermore, Anthony weaves in personal stories of growing up with the Navajo Code Talkers including his grandpa.

Growing up on the Navajo Nation and in the midst of this history such as witnessing numerous ceremonies and events honoring the Navajo Code Talkers, including the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony which honored the First Twenty-nine for developing the original code held at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. in 2001. By attending presentations by his grandfather and mother, Anthony listened in on oral history interviews with the First Twenty-nine Navajo Code Talkers and regular meetings with people visiting to learn about his grandpa and what the other Navajo men did during World War II. In fact, Anthony was present when his mother talked to Chester Nez about the 30th man.

Anthony’s growing interest in the legacy of his grandfather and the Navajo Code Talkers has most recently involved him with the annual Navajo Code Talker Day celebration held in Window Rock, AZ - the capitol of the Navajo Nation. As a member of the NCT Day 2017 committee, Anthony spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign and produced a promotional video clip (see below) that included the faces of Navajo Code Talker descendants. Additionally, he co-produced a small historical exhibit to remember and honor the 75th anniversary of the recruitment of the First Twenty-nine and the founding of the Navajo Code Talker program. Anthony is also involved with a small group of descendants working toward establishing a non-profit to protect the legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers.