WINDOW ROCK, Ariz.-  Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley, Jr., on Wednesday ordered flags on the Navajo Nation to fly at half-staff from Nov. 29 through Dec. 2 to honor Navajo Code Talker John C. Sells who died Friday. He was 92.

“The late John C. Sells was a Navajo Code Talker who served the United States of America and the Navajo with courage, honor, and distinction,” President Shirley said in his proclamation.

In 2000, Mr. Sells was a recipient of the Congressional Silver Medal of Honor in recognition of his service as a Navajo Code Talker in the South Pacific during World War II.

Mr. Sells was born in Oak Springs, Ariz., on Feb. 15, 1915. He was Todacheeni, born for Tachini.

He worked as an X-ray technician, auto mechanic, and heavy equipment operator at Navajo mines in Fruitland, N.M. He also owned and operated Plateau Gas Station in Shiprock.

Office of the President, Navajo Nation