Still , Nez said he worried every day that an error might cost the life of an American military service member . As a child , Chester Nez was punished for speaking Navajo . He says recognition as a code talker came late , but was good when it did . Nez was one of 29 people recruited to develop the code . Nez served as a code talker in the battles of Okinawa , Guam and Peleliu .
As a child , Chester Nez was punished for speaking Navajo . He says recognition as a code talker came late , but was good when it did . Nez was one of 29 people recruited to develop the code . Nez served as a code talker in the battles of Okinawa , Guam and Peleliu .