WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — Flags will be flown at half-staff through the Memorial Day weekend in honor of Navajo Code Talker John Brown Jr. of Crystal, N.M., who died Wednesday at the age of 87.

Brown received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2001 from President George W. Bush in recognition of his service to the country during World War II, a Navajo Nation news release said.

He was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers with the U.S. Marine Corps and "endured the horrors of combat in the Pacific Theater battles on the islands of Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Guadalcanal," said a proclamation by Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.

Brown was born on Dec. 24, 1921 to Nonabah Bia Begay and Little Policeman (the late John Brown Sr.) in Chinle, Ariz., near Canyon De Chelly.

Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at the Chinle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Stake Center in Chinle, Ariz., a news release said.