Flags across the Navajo Nation are flying at half-staff in honor of Navajo Code Talker George Smith, who died Tuesday at the age of 90.
Navajo President Ben Shelly says the tribe's thoughts and prayers are with Smith's family.
Born in Mariano Lake, N.M., Smith went to school in Crownpoint and Fort Wingate.
Smith and his brother both enlisted with the U.S. Marines in 1943. They were trained as Code Talkers and were assigned to separate units.
Smith served with the 2nd Division in Saipan, Okinawa and elsewhere. He received the Victory Medal as well as the Congressional Silver Medal for his role as a Code Talker.
Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Rehobeth Cemetery.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.