Lagvanec Lecture! The Navajo Code Talkers

Cyril Lagvanec, PhD, the curator of the American-Italian Research Library located on the second floor of the East Bank Regional Library, will give a lecture on the Navajo Code Talkers at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov.10, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free of charge and is open to the public.

Navajo Code Talkers were a group of Marines in World War II who used their native language to transmit crucial military communications, creating a secret, unbreakable code that was vital to Allied victory in the Pacific.

The original 29 Navajo recruits developed a complex code using Navajo words for military terms and letters of the alphabet, allowing for error-free messages on the battlefield.

Their contributions went unrecognized until 1968, but they were eventually honored with Congressional Gold and Silver Medals for their heroic service and the preservation of their language

Cyril Lagvanec earned his undergraduate degree in history from Baylor University, his master’s degree in British and European History from Tulane University, and his doctoral degree in American History from Texas A&M University. Through his long career, Dr. Lagvanec has taught at Jesuit High School, Tulane, Loyola, Delgado, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, East Carolina University, and Texas A&M. 

Program inquiries should be directed to Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.