The memoir of Chester Nez, "Code Talker," tells of the experiences of one of the original Navajo code talkers of WWII. In this essay, I will explain the experiences Chester Nez shared with other Americans but defined in distinctively Navajo ways before the war, the experiences Chester Nez shared with other soldiers but defined in distinctively Navajo ways during the war, and the experiences Chester Nez shared with other veterans but defined in distinctively Navajo ways after the war. Chester Nez and other Americans shared similar experiences with schooling, personal hygiene, death, and religion before the war. However, Chester Nez's experiences were defined in a distinctly Navajo way. Every child in America was expected or encouraged to attend school. Chester Nez attended Fort Defiance boarding school (Nez 45). In this school, he was required to speak only English, and he was reprimanded if he was caught Speaking Navajo (Nez 47). Chester's native language was very important to him, and having to learn a new and unfamiliar language proved to be frustrating for himself and other students. While most Americans had buses or parents that would take them to and from school, Chester and his sister had to walk home. The walk would take them three days. However, Chester was never afraid because he relied on his Navajo upbringing and days spent herding sheep to help him find his way home (Nez 173-4). Even things such as haircuts were special among the Navajo people. At boarding school the male children were all required to get haircuts. The Navajo people believe in witchcraft. They believe that cut fingernail and hair clippings should be gathered and hidden or burned. Such things could be used to invoke bad medicine against their owner (Nez 46). Witchcraft was not a common belief among Americans, and haircuts were treated as a regular thing to do. No one worried about their hair. Death was also something that was special among the Navajo people.
