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John Pinto, The Longest-Serving Elected Officials Of Native American Ancestry, Died At The Age Of 94

by Luna,

John Pinto, Who Became The Longest-serving Elected Officials Of Native American Ancestry In The Country, Is No More. He Was 94 Years Old.

  • John Pinto has died at the age of 94.
  • Pinto became of the longest-serving elected officials of Native American ancestry in the country.
  • Pinto pa s sed away on 24th May, Friday.
  • Pinto's family released a statement confirming that he is no more.
  • Pinto had served as a senator in New Mexico since 1977.
  • Just before he died, Pinto received an honorary degree from the Navajo Technical University.

John Pinto, the Navajo Code Talker who had served during World War II and became one of the longest-serving elected officials of Native American ancestry in the country, has died.

He pa s sed away on 24th May, Friday, at the age of 94. Pinto's family released a statement confirming that he is no more.

In the statement, the family has revealed that he had worked tirelessly throughout his lifetime to serve the Dine people.

The statement added:

The family would like to express their gratitude to his constituents and fellow legislators for allowing him to serve, it is what truly made him happy,” they continued.

He was laid to rest in Gallup, New Mexico, on Thursday.

Pinto had served as a senator in New Mexico since 1977. He had held the position longer than anyone in the state’s history.

Before involving in politics, Pinto was in the Allies’ military strategy in World War II while a part of Code Talkers, a group of Native Americans who used the Navajo language to avoid Japanese code breakers over radio communication.

The team was able to relay matters from the coordinates to troop movements and was important to American victories throughout the war.

Pinto, who was born on 15th December 1924 in Lupton, Arizona, was one of the 420 men of the Navajo nation, who had served as Code Talkers during the war.

After Pinto’s time in the military, he started teaching earning a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education at 39. Pinto then dedicated his life to public service.

Just before he died, he received an honorary degree from the Navajo Technical University.

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