John Kinsel, one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers, has died at the age of 107.

Born in Cove, Arizona, Kinsel lived in the Navajo community of Lukachukai. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and became one of the elite Navajo Code Talkers during World War II. Kinsel served with the 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The Navajo Code Talkers developed an unbreakable code using their native language, allowing the U.S. military to communicate securely without exposing sensitive battle information. Their contributions were crucial to the Allied victory, and they have been regarded as heroes ever since.

With the passing of John Kinsel, only two Navajo Code Talkers remain: former Navajo Chairman Peter MacDonald and Thomas H. Begay. Navajo President Buu Nygren has ordered all flags on the Navajo Nation to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise Sunday, Oct. 20, until sunset Sunday, Oct. 27.

“It is appropriate for us to acknowledge, recognize and honor this distinguished man’s life, bravery and steadfast dedication to his family, community of Lukachukai and to the entire Navajo Nation as a model Navajo citizen and warrior,” Nygren said.

Ronald Kinsel shared the news of his father’s death with Nygren.

“ Cheii passed early this morning in his sleep,” Ronald Kinsel said. “The howling wind brought his parents and relatives that came for him early dawn today. He used to keep asking if it snowed yet. He was waiting for the first snow to take his spiritual journey. Moisture lifted his footprints this morning. He lived a very long, full and accomplished life. What he and the other Code Talkers accomplished changed the course of history, and will always be remembered, and I will continue to tell his legend and greatness.”

Speaker of the Navajo Nation Crystalyne Curley also gave her condolences on behalf of herself and the Navajo Nation Council.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of John Kinsel Sr., one of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers," Curley said. "Beyond his legacy of a warrior, he was also a proud Navajo man who upheld the values of his heritage while serving his country with distinction. As we honor his life, we extend our deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones, and the entire Navajo Nation."

New roof constructed

In 2022, The Arizona Republic first reported on Kinsel's need for a new roof on the home he built in 1950 in Lukachukai. Thanks to the mutual aid group Chizh for Cheii spreading the word about the elderly war hero's situation, donations poured in, and many people reached out asking how they could help.

Originally founded to provide firewood to Navajo elders, Chizh for Cheii has also organized volunteers to assist with home renovations for elders. At the time, the group’s founder, Loren Anthony, expressed how overwhelmed he was by the outpouring of love and support they received to help Kinsel. Once the goal was met, Anthony and volunteers of Chizh for Cheii were able to fix Kinsel's roof.

"It was the strong medicine that he had that had kept him living a long life," Anthony said to The Republic. "I'm just glad he passed away in his home."

Anthony said Ronald Kinsel dedicated his whole life to taking care of his dad. Over the years, Anthony supported John Kinsel and Ronald Kinsel by not only delivering firewood but also taking John Kinsel to medical appointments and running various errands. While processing Kinsel's passing, Anthony noted that it was a day they had been preparing for.

"John always surprised me because there were times I was like, 'Damn, he's really up there in age,'" Anthony said. "He's always been a jokester. We'd get worried, but then he'd pull through. This time, though, he was in the hospital and they were telling everyone this might be it. But he hung in there for another two weeks."

After decades of effort to secure a new home for John Kinsel from the Navajo Nation, it was only this past August that he and his family finally celebrated receiving the keys to his newly renovated home with assistance from the Navajo Nation Veterans Administration.

In May, Nygren, Kinsel, his family, and workers from The Sparrow Group marked the groundbreaking for the renovations. An all-Navajo crew completed the project in just eight weeks, finishing two weeks ahead of Navajo Code Talkers Day on Aug. 14.

"We got the roof fixed at the time he was wanting it and needing it," Anthony said. "For a long time, he was forgotten, and it wasn't until that incident that sparked a lot of pressure on the tribe and veterans office to provide updates to his home. He did get to enjoy the running water and restroom. He finally got a restroom this year, so he was able to enjoy that for a few months before his passing."

Anthony said that when volunteering to help elders, it's hard not to become personally involved and attached. He said John Kinsel was one of his favorites because "he was the coolest and always funny."

Anthony said the elder had a lot of love for his community and dedication for his family. Anthony shared that one of the last things John Kinsel asked was whether it had snowed yet.

"When he passed, the wind brought the relatives, his parents and they came to John in the early morning today," Anthony said. "So, he brought the first snow of the year, and made his spiritual journey. All this moisture we are getting is John telling everyone he's OK."