Cpl., Carl Csinnjinni – Navajo Code Talker

Carl Csinnjinni, a Navajo and Native of New Mexico, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on July 11, 1942. Cpl. Csinnijinni was a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal by Adjutant General, Ken Montoya.¹ Csinnjinni’s honor was posthumous; he died December 18, 1991 (Section Z, Site 477).² Carl was raised in Teesto Arizona and graduated from the Albuquerque Indian School. After the war Carl took classes at the University of New Mexico and then went on to work at Sandia National Laboratory for 37 years, he also tutored Native American students at the University of New Mexico.³  

Notes:

1. “9 Code Talkers To Get Medals, Navajos Honored For WW II Service.” Albuquerque Journal, Sunday August 17, 2023.Newspapers.com
2. Department of Veterans Affairs, Santa Fe Notables File, 30 June 2023
3. Marine Raider Association, Kenneth Sands

Prepared by Steve Martinez, Ph.D. Santa Fe Community College