Cultural Heritage
Chester's identity as a Navajo is of paramount importance to him. Being raised by his parents with a strong appreciation for his cultural heritage, he lives in harmony with the customs of his people whenever possible. His heritage is the defining feature about Chester, one which is solidified during the war. To be able to use his native language to protect his homeland is the fulfillment of his wildest dreams. After the declassification of his work in 1968, Chester continues to make his parents proud by becoming a public speaker and talking about his people and his time in the war. He becomes a significant advocate for the Navajo people, improving their relationship with the government which owes him personally for his invaluable service. All of this is possible because of how Chester's parents raised him to listen to the stories of their people. He possesses an immense understanding of his position in the meta-narrative of the Navajo.
Language
Language is a common theme in Chester's life. Raised speaking Navajo, he doesn't learn English until he is sent to a boarding school for elementary school. There they punish him for speaking his native language, although he has not yet learned English. This is an important moment for him because for the first time Chester feels ashamed of his cultural identity. Trying to fit in, he learns English quickly. In the war, his native language becomes his and many other people's saving grace in the top secret code writing operation. The success of his mission depends upon his ability to use his native Navajo in creative ways to confuse the Japanese. Even after the war, he continues to rely upon language to make the plight of his people known to the country through his public speaking.
Identity
Because of his young culture clash in school, Chester struggles to make peace with his identity from a young age. He's torn between the reverence of his parents' customs with the urge to fit in with his peers. In fact he's embarrassed to be so different. This rift between his cultural heritage and his social identity only worsens as he grows up witnessing all the trouble the government causes for his family and their property. While he wants to be accepted, he can't help but feel ashamed for compromising his family's traditions in high school. He enlists at the start of the war in order to become a part of something greater than him. He wants to make his parents proud. By a strange twist of fate, he is given the perfect opportunity to reconcile his identity as a Navajo with his desire for acceptance during his service. When people recognize his value as a soldier comes from his Native American heritage, they treat him with greater respect and no longer expect him to conform to their cultural expectations. Chester takes these experiences and develops them into his public speaking career later in life, becoming a great advocate for his people.
