Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Audio Recording Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
- Location of Service: San Diego, California; New Caledonia; Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands); Bougainville Island (Solomon Islands); Guam (Mariana Islands); Iwo Jima; Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Private
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/96428
Born on the Navajo Reservation in Coolidge, New Mexico, Alfred K. Newman was sent to the Rehoboth Mission Boarding School at the age of eight, where he was forbidden from speaking Navajo. Serving as a member of the Code Talker team with the 3rd Marine Division, Newman endured months of secretive training, but ultimately spent more time in combat than he did employing his code breaking skills. When news broke of the war's end, Newman found himself like many others, slowly waiting for transport home. On his return from war, he experienced little support or praise for his service as a Navajo Code Talker. Nevertheless, Newman views his time in the military, and the willingness of the Navajo to serve their country, as worthy of remembrance.
Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayGrowing up on the reservation in Coolidge; going to one room school and learning mostly Spanish instead of English; moved to Rehoboth Mission Boarding School at the age of age of eight; learning English but not allowed to speak Navajo, punished for speaking Navajo. 00:04:00.0 - 00:09:51.0
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PlayInterest in the Marines; his own knowledge about the history of the Marines; initially hearing about Pearl Harbor; thoughts on how long the war might last. 00:16:04.0 - 00:19:35.0
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PlayNavajo code training; not allowed to keep any notes during training; trained with 68 Navajo Marines; no initial communication about training being for a secret mission; examples of Navajo codes and English translation. 00:26:37.0 - 00:37:10.0
More Resources
Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
Share
-
PlayHearing about the end of the war; celebrations using live ammunition; extended wait to return home because of high volume of troops and personnel heading back to the United States. 00:00:00.0 - 00:04:08.0
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PlayTraining before returning to civilian life; discrimination based service as a code talker and being Native American; no regrets related to serving during World War II; Navajo people willing to help in the war effort despite mistreatment in the past. 00:20:59.0 - 00:27:03.0
About this Item
Title
- Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection
Names
- Dahl, Nancy
- Newman Sr., Alfred K.
- Talking With A Life Remembered
Home State
- New Mexico
Headings
- - Newman Sr., Alfred K.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Marine Corps.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- American Indian and Alaskan Native
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Marine Corps
- Unit of Service: 1st Battalion, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
- Location of Service: San Diego, California; New Caledonia; Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands); Bougainville Island (Solomon Islands); Guam (Mariana Islands); Iwo Jima; Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Private
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran served as a Navajo Code Talker.
Materials
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2010-10-21; 2010-10-21)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2010-10-21; 2010-10-21)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2010-10-21; 2010-10-21)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2010-10-21; 2010-10-21)
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2010-10-21)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/96428
Cite as
- Alfred K. Newman, Sr. Collection (AFC/2001/001/96428), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- online text
Additional Metadata Formats
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Bougainville Island (Solomon Islands)
- Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands)
- Guam (Mariana Islands)
- Iwo Jima
- New Caledonia
- Pacific Theater
- San Diego, California