The Unsung Heroes
As the U.S. Marines fought their way across the Pacific, they brought
with them a secret weapon for victory, the Navajo Code Talkers. The Code
Talkers used a special code that the Japanese were unable to decipher
during the war. Throughout the island-hopping campaign, the Code Talkers
distinguished themselves.
Without them one can only speculate at how many additional lives would
have been lost and how long the fighting would have gone on. Yet their
many acts of bravery generally went unnoticed, even though there's no
doubt that the Navajo code helped make victory possible. For years the
Code Talkers kept silent about their Experiences and became the Marines
that history forgot. Only now is their story unfolding.
Island by island the Marines advanced toward Iwo Jima, a prime
objective. The Japanese considered the heavily fortified island the
gateway to Japan and would defend it at all cost.
While the battle for Iwo Jima continued, Code Talkers worked around the
clock relaying messages so units could coordinate their movements and
advance against the enemy. And when the American flag appeared on Mt.
Suribachi, it was a Code Talker who sent the message.
Even after V-J Day, the Navajo Marines remained loyal, guarding their
code which remained top secret in case it might be needed again. The code
was not declassified until the 1960s.
A Fitting Tribute For V-J Day
America Remembers is proud to honor the Navajo Code Talkers of the U.S.
Marine Corps with a working .45 pistol. Our fighting men in World War II
carried the trusty Model 1911 .45 firearm. Today, the .45 is among the
most sought-after firearms by collectors. Colt historian and author R.L.
Wilson has written "more collectors pursue the Model 1911 and its
variations than any other automatic Colt".
A First For Yellowhorse
In honor of the Navajo Code Talkers, America Remembers is proud to
offer a .45 unlike any you've ever seen. The suggestion for this project
comes from Yellowhorse Custom Knives. Collectors around the world
recognize Yellowhorse's distinctive Knives. (Yellowhorse knives have
brought up to $5,000 at auction.)
The Navajo Code Talkers Pistol is the first Yellowhorse design on a
firearm. Yellowhorse's distinctive channel inlay technique combines the
natural elements of desert ironwood, brass, red coral to symbolize the red
earth of the southwest, and turquoise, the sacred blue stone of the
Navajo.
The dramatic image of the flag raising at Iwo Jima and the silhouette
of two Code Talkers at their radio are carefully inlaid into the pistol
grip. For this special edition, the slide of the Colt has been hand
engraved with textured detail. You'll not see another issue like this.
An Edition of Only 300
Each Tribute is an individual work of art taking hours of intensive
hand work by the craftsmen at Yellowstone Custom Knives. For this reason,
we have limited the Navajo Code Talker Tribute to an edition of only 300.
The Navajo Code Talker Tribute is one of the most distinctive pieces you
can add to your collection.
Exclusive Iwo Jima Yellowhorse Design Knife
Included with the pistol is a companion piece, a genuine Buck Knife,
the kind for which Yellowhorse Knives is famous.
The intricate hand-crafted handle features the same channel inlay as
the pistol grips. Inlaid in the desert ironwood handle you will see the
brass inlay of the flag raising atop Mt. Suribachi at Iow Jima. The
stainless steel blade has the look of hand-chipped flint. The handles are
inlaid with turquoise, spiny oyster and black jet.
The Iwo Jima Yellowhorse Custom Knife in itself will be a highly
collectible piece. The knife was designed specifically to commemorate the
Navajo Code Talkers and Marines of World Was II.
It cannot be obtained from a dealer or store, but is an exclusive issue
of America Remembers. Serial numbers 1-300, to match the pistol numbers,
will be on the knives that are included with the pistols.
Your Navajo Code Talker Tribute Colt .45 and Iwo Jima Custom Knife
comes to you in a red velvet lined, custom fitted walnut case. A brass
plaque attests to the edition limit.
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