John, Jr. Brown |
| Posted 2009-06-01 by White Mountain Independent |
| Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. ordered flags on the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff until sundown May 26 in honor of the late Navajo Code Talker John Brown Jr. of Crystal, N.M., who died May 20. "The late John Brown Jr. was a renowned Navajo Code Talker and one of the original 29 who served the United States of America, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navajo Nation during World War II with courage, honor and distinction," President Shirley said in a proclamation issued May 21. John Brown Jr. was born on Dec. 24, 1921, to Nonabah Bia Begay and Little Policeman (the late John Brown Sr.) in Chinle, near Canyon De Chelly. Little Policeman was one of the first police officers of the Navajo Nation at a time when prisoners were brought in on horseback, said Brown's son, Frank Brown. Funeral services were held at the Chinle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center in Chinle on Tuesday, May 26. Burial was on family land in Crystal, N.M., followed by a reception and dinner at the Crystal Chapter House. "John Brown Jr. endured the horrors of combat in the Pacific Theatre battles on the islands of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Guadalcanal, and ... was an active member of the Navajo Code Talkers Association who traveled the country to educate the public about the courageous feats and accomplishments of his comrades in arms," Shirley said in his proclamation. Brown was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush on July 26, 2001, in recognition of his honorable service to our country. He was a beloved member of the Crystal, N.M., community, served as a Navajo Tribal Council delegate from 1962 to 1982, and served three terms as Crystal Chapter president after his service as a council delegate. "The Navajo Nation unites and offers prayers and deepest condolences to his family during this time of grief," Shirley said. John Brown, Jr., is survived by his wife Loncie Polacca Brown and his children Bernice Brown, Dorothy Whilden, Preston Brown, Everett Brown, Virgil Brown, Frank Brown and his adopted daughter Kathy Glenabah Brown of Orem, Utah. His other children were the late Dale Brown and the late Ruth Ann McComb. White Mountain Independent 5/29/2009. See Also: Find A Grave |
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