It is with great sadness that the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) joins the family of Joe Morris, Sr., Dine (Navajo), in mourning his passing. Morris was 85 years old.

“On behalf of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Joe Morris, Sr., Navajo Code Talker, who passed away July 17th,” said Peter J. Gravett, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs. “Morris was one of the few remaining World War II Navajo Code Talkers who played a pivotal role in helping the U.S. win that war. He served in the United States Marine Corp. as a Navajo Code Talker from 1944-46 in Guadalcanal, Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, and Tinstao, China. We are saddened by his passing, but are thankful for his service to our Nation. May he forever rest in peace.”

VIEWING & SERVICE
DATE: Monday, July 25, 2011
TIME: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Viewing
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Service
PLACE: East Hills Community Church
20660 Orange Terrace Parkway
Riverside, CA 92508
BURIAL
Riverside National Cemetery
22495 Van Buren Boulevard
Riverside, CA 92518

In lieu of sending flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the following Bank Of America account #2454773221 in care of Christopher Morris.

BACKGROUND: The Navajo code talkers took part in every assault the U.S. Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945. They served in all six Marine divisions, Marine Raider battalions and Marine parachute units, transmitting messages by telephone and radio in their native language — a code that the Japanese never broke. http://www.californiaindianeducation.org/native_american_veterans/navajo...