Oral history interview with Philip Johnston (Part 1)

In part one Mr. Johnston discusses gambling and alcohol on the Navajo reservation among Native Americans and missionaries during the first half of the 20th century. Mr. Johnson discusses the different techniques used by missionaries in an attempt to limit gambling on the reservation. Mr. Johnston describes the types of games played and relatively sparse use of Alcohol by the Navajo people. Mr. Johnson also discusses his mother and education on the reservation. In part two Mr. Johnston discusses religion missionary services and education on the Navajo reservation during the first half of the 20th century. Mr Johnston mentions the creation of the Navajo reservation and discusses law enforcement and the role of superintendent Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Johnston talks about which cases Mr. Maxwell handled his role among the Native American population and Navajo police. Mr. Johnston concludes by describing and singing several Navajo songs he learned as a child. In part three Mr. Johnston tells the story of a trip he took with his father William Johnston and two Navajo leaders to Washington DC in October 1901. Mr Johnston spoke fluent Navajo as a child as all his childhood friends were Navajo and consequently served as an interpreter between the Navajo men and President Theodore Roosevelt. During this meeting the Navajo leaders convinced President Roosevelt to add land to the Navajo Reservation. Mr. Johnston also discusses several other formative experiences with the Navajo people during his life. Mr. Johnston concludes with the story of how he thought of and implemented the use of Navajo the only unbroken code during World War Two. Mr. Johnston thought of using Navajo shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He brought the idea to the attention of the navy which started with a pilot program wherein Mr. Johnston trained around 30 Navajo recruits. Within Two years Mr. Johnson had recruited and trained 400 Navajo code talkers which served in every major campaign.