Joe Vandever Sr. World War II Navajo Code Talkers, United States Marine Corp., served from 1943 - 1945. Photo taken before the start of the Veterans Day Parade in New York City.<br />
<br />
Joe Vandever Sr. lives in Haystack, New Mexico. After growing up near Grants, New Mexico, he was recruited into the 297th Platoon of the United States Marine Corps. Joe was enlisted as a Navajo Code Talker, traveled on 16 different ships and saw action on several South Pacific islands during World War II. Returning from the war, Joe served the Diné people as a medicine man, practicing his spiritual rituals and beliefs that he still holds closely today.