One of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers who transmitted messages during World War II using the tribe's native language has died. John Kinsel Sr. was 107.

Public officials from the Navajo Nation and beyond paid tribute to Kinsel, a graduate of the St. Catherine Indian School in Santa Fe.

John Kinsel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942 and became one of the elite Navajo Code Talkers during World War II.

Mr. Kinsel was a Marine who bravely and selflessly fought for all of us in the most terrifying circumstances with the greatest responsibility as a Navajo Code Talker,” Tribal President Buu Nygren said in a statement Sunday.

The Navajo Nation is mourning the loss Navajo Code Talker John Kinsel, Sr., who passed away in his sleep on Saturday. Mr. Kinsel was 107. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Navajo Code Talker and ordered all  all flags on the Navajo Nation to be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Sunday,