Preston Toledo, 81; Navajo Code Talker During World War II

Preston Toledo, 81, a member of the Navajo code talkers group that invented a military code based on the Navajo language to confound the Japanese during World War II, died Dec. 15 after an automobile accident in New Mexico.

A member of the Navajo Bitter Water People Clan, Toledo was born Nov. 23, 1923, in Broncho, N.M.

Family members said he was a humble man who didn’t brag about his role in the war or about a famous photo of him and his cousin Frank Toledo relaying orders over a field radio in the South Pacific. The picture is part of the Smithsonian Institution’s collection.

Toledo, who served in the military from 1941 to 1945, was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals only about 10 years ago, family members said. Code talkers were not allowed to discuss their work when they returned home after the war. It wasn’t until 1968 that the Defense Department released information on the code talkers.