NIWC Atlantic Engineer Pays Tribute to Great-Grandfather on Navajo Code Talker Day

As the United States commemorates National Navajo Code Talkers Day on August 14, Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic finds itself at the heart of a distinctive tribute.

In Charleston, South Carolina, within NIWC Atlantic’s headquarters, software engineer Mathew Daugomah diligently works on critical systems for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) project. His task is to develop key software for the Air Force and Marine Corps, but the day carries personal significance for him, linked to a storied family legacy.

The occasion honors Daugomah’s great-grandfather, Dooley D. Shorty, a pivotal figure in the Navajo Code Talker program during World War II. Born on June 8, 1911, on the Navajo reservation in Cornfields, Arizona, Shorty grew up speaking Diné, the Navajo language, before enduring assimilation efforts at boarding schools that punished native language use.

Shorty later embraced a role as a silversmith and a shop instructor before being drafted into the Marine Corps. His bilingual skills led him to Camp Pendleton in 1942, where his teaching background paved the way for his involvement in the Code Talker program. These individuals used the Navajo language to create an unbreakable code, which remained classified until 1968.

Shorty’s service, particularly his role in the Battle of Iwo Jima where Navajos sent and received over 800 secure messages, was a rarely discussed family secret until his son uncovered it for a third-grade project. This revelation cemented Shorty’s place in history and inspired future generations, including Daugomah.

Daugomah, born in Charleston and educated at the Citadel, carries his great-grandfather’s legacy forward through his work at NIWC Atlantic. His role includes integrating advanced communication systems into modern military vehicles, reinforcing the connection between past and present military innovations.

Reflecting on his contributions, Daugomah states, “I feel a tremendous sense of pride in my work, knowing that I am contributing to projects that support the warfighter, just as my great-grandfather did.”

Shorty’s post-war life involved a long teaching career and recognition from notable figures, including a posthumous Congressional Silver Medal awarded by President George W. Bush. His enduring legacy is a testament to the bravery and ingenuity that defined the Navajo Code Talkers.

As Mathew Daugomah continues his work, he honors a rich heritage, ensuring that the spirit of service and innovation lives on.

About NIWC Atlantic
As part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint, and national warfighters.