Allen Dale June | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1921-11-28)November 28, 1921 Kaibito, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | September 8, 2010(2010-09-08) (aged 88) Prescott, Arizona, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | United States Marine Corps |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal |
| Alma mater | New Mexico Highlands University University of Utah |
| Spouse(s) | Dolly Beaver (divorced) Virginia June Rose Mary Begay |
| Relations | Michael June, Adeline June, Roxie June, Cyndi June Allison June (son), Alden June (son), Marlene Smith (daughter), Janie Brown (daughter), Jonathan Beiser (grandson), Ellen June (daughter), Adolph June Jr. Floyd June Jackie June Keith June |
Allen Dale June (November 28, 1921 – September 8, 2010) was an Americanveteran ofWorld War II. June was one of the 29 originalNavajocode talkers who served in theUnited States Marine Corps during the war.[1]
June was born inKaibito, Arizona on November 28, 1921, to a Navajo family. His mother wasKinłichíiʼnii, born forTłʼízíłání, and his father was namedYéʼii Dineʼé, born forTachíiʼnii.[1] June graduated from Tuba City Vocational High School inTuba City in 1941.[1] Once the United States entered World War II later that year and began recruiting Navajos as code talkers, June hitchhiked toFort Defiance andFort Wingate to enlist.[1]
June enlisted in 1941 and became one of the 29 original Navajo code talkers in the U.S. Marines.[1] he served until the end of World War II in 1945, when he washonorably discharged with the rank ofsergeant.[1]
June received abachelor's degree inbusiness administration,accounting andeconomics fromNew Mexico Highlands University in 1952.[1] He later also obtained amaster's degree in 1975 from theUniversity of Utah.[1]
Dale, along with the other original nine Navajo code talkers, received theCongressional Gold Medal on December 21, 2000.[2] In recent years, residents ofLongmont, Colorado, raised money to buy June and his third wife, Virginia June, a home when they learned the couple had no permanent place to live.[3]
Allen Dale June died at Presscott Veteran's Hospital in Prescott, Arizona, on September 8, 2010, at the age of 89.[1] June had become ill while on a trip toArizona from the family's home inLongmont, Colorado.[3][4] He was buried at a family cemetery inKaibeto, Arizona.[1] Navajo Nation PresidentJoe Shirley Jr. ordered all flags to be flown at half staff in June's honor.[1]
With June's death in 2010,[3][5]Lloyd Oliver's death in 2011, andChester Nez's death on June 4, 2014,[6] none of the original 29 Navajo code talkers are alive.
