Code Talker dies
Thomas Claw, veteran of bloody Pacific campaign, honored

Copyright © 2009
Gallup Independent
By Karen Francis
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation has lost a second Code Talker within a week.

Thomas Claw, who was ill with cancer, died at the Northern Arizona VA Health Care Center in Prescott Tuesday evening, his son Harold Claw said. He was 87.

President Joe Shirley is expected to sign a proclamation Thursday morning ordering flags to be flown at half staff.

George Hardeen, spokesman for Shirley, said that the flags will be lowered as soon as the president signs the proclamation and will stay at half staff through the funeral date.

“Just as we bade farewell to one of our honored Code Talkers, we sadly hear of the loss of another,” Shirley said.

“It is with deep regret that we learned of the passing of Navajo Code Talker Thomas Claw, another of our distinguished warriors from World War II.

Claw was born Feb. 23, 1922, in Chinle and attended Fort Wingate High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in Phoenix on March 13, 1943.

Claw was sent to Camp Pendleton to train to be a Code Talker. He served with the 1st Marine Division in such locations as Asiatic Pacific Areas of New Caledonia, Australia, New Britain, the Solomon Islands, Palau Islands and Ryukyu Islands.

Claw received two presidential unit citations including the 1st Marine Reinforced for action against the enemy at Peleliu and Ngesebus in 1944 and for heroic action during the invasion and capture of Okinawa in 1945.

He further received the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for service with the 11th Marine Regiment in action against the enemy at Camp Gloucester and a Purple Heart as a result of enemy action while in Okinawa, according to the president’s office.

Claw relocated to Parker, Ariz., after his military service with his wife Barbara and was employed as a water master for the Colorado River Indian Irrigation Project with the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 20 years.

Claw is survived by his wife Barbara Claw and his children Carolyn Hammond, Renold Claw and Pauline James, Harold Claw and Gloria Claw.

Parker Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.