Jerry Begay, Senior

December 8, 1924 (age 83)

Sheep Springs, New Mexico

He enlisted in the United States Marines when he was 17 years old while he was still a student at Fort Wingate High School. He served in the Second Marine division, 297th Platoon, as a Navajo Code Talker during World World War World War II Among the battles in which he served was the American invasion of the island of Tarawa, in present-day Kiribati. Begay received an honorable discharge and left the United States. Marines in 1945. Begay began working at the Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Company in Morenci, Arizona, shortly after the end of World World War World War II He remained at the company for 33 years until his retirement in 1982. He also worked in community service, including at the Tsaile Health Center, in the towns of Tsaile and Lukachukai. Throughout his life, Begay remained active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association and the Disabled American Veterans. He was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal of Honor in November 2001 for his service as a code talker, alongside fellow veteran code talkers such as Frank Tsosie Thompson. Jerry C. Begay died on Memorial Day on May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Evangeline Begay Alvarez.

Jerry Begay, Senior

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Background

Begay was born on December 8, 1924, in Sheep Springs, New Mexico. He was a member of the Kinlichíiʼnii clan and was born for the Dziłtłʼahnii.

Education

Begay attended Toadlena Boarding School and Fort Wingate High School.

Career

He enlisted in the United States Marines when he was 17 years old while he was still a student at Fort Wingate High School. He served in the Second Marine division, 297th Platoon, as a Navajo Code Talker during World World War World War II Among the battles in which he served was the American invasion of the island of Tarawa, in present-day Kiribati. Begay received an honorable discharge and left the United States. Marines in 1945.

Begay began working at the Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Company in Morenci, Arizona, shortly after the end of World World War World War II He remained at the company for 33 years until his retirement in 1982.

He also worked in community service, including at the Tsaile Health Center, in the towns of Tsaile and Lukachukai. Throughout his life, Begay remained active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association and the Disabled American Veterans.

He was awarded the Congressional Silver Medal of Honor in November 2001 for his service as a code talker, alongside fellow veteran code talkers such as Frank Tsosie Thompson. Jerry C. Begay died on Memorial Day on May 26, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the age of 83.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Evangeline Begay Alvarez.

Achievements

Begay was wounded during World World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart. Begay was also awarded the Sharpshooters Medal, the World World War II Victory Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with Bronze Star for his service.

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Born

December 8, 1924

Sheep Springs, New Mexico
Died

March 26, 2008 (aged 83)
Nationality
United States

Awards

Purple Heart World War II Victory Medal; Purple Heart; Campaign Medal; Congressional Silver Medal

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.; A Congressional Silver Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress.

The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.; A Congressional Silver Medal is an award bestowed by the United States Congress.

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