Navajo Code Talker
Frank Thompson dies

Frank Thompson

GALLUP (AP) — Navajo Code Talker Frank Tsosie Thompson has died at age 87.

His son, Floyd Thompson of Gallup, said he died Monday of natural causes in Breadsprings.

Thompson was born on Sept. 4, 1920 in Crystal, N.M., and attended boarding schools in Fort Defiance, Ariz., and Albuquerque.

He enlisted the same day he graduated from high school — May 5, 1942.

Thompson served in Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division and reached the rank of corporal. He was in the Marine Corps from 1942 until Sept. 17, 1945, serving in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Abemana Atoll, Saipan and Tinian.

In 2001, he was awarded a Congressional Silver Medal for his service as a Code Talker.

Thompson used the GI Bill to attend New Mexico Highland University in 1947 and 1948, and became a carpenter. He worked in maintenance for the Navajo tribe for 37 1/2 years at Fort Defiance. He retired in 1991.

He is survived by his wife, Janet B. Thompson; children Janice Thompson of Breadsprings, Cassandra Bloedel of Republic of Palau, Floyd Thompson of Gallup, Frankie Thompson of Breadsprings, Terry Thompson of Breadsprings, Francine Thompson of Breadsprings and Valeri Llopis of Wickenburg, Ariz.; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. Thursday at Sacred Heart Church at Gallup. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. has ordered flags on the reservation to half-staff from June 4 to June 7 in Thompson’s honor.

Shirley’s proclamation said Thompson “served the United States of America and the Navajo Nation with courage, honor and distinction.”