National

World War II female Navajo veteran Sophie Yazzie dead at 105

TUCSON, Ariz. — Sophie Yazzie, the longest-living veteran in Arizona and a member of the Navajo Nation, died Saturday. She was 105.

Yazzie died at her Tucson home, according to Facebook posts by Women Warriors and the Arizona Department of Veterans' Services.

Yazzie, who was born in Canyon de Chelly in 1914, enlisted in the Army when he was 28 and served during World War II, KPNX reported. She was a Women's Army Corps Technician Grade 4 and was honorably discharged after the war, according to Navajo Times.

Yazzie graduated from Wingate Boarding School in 1934, the website reported. She returned to her alma mater after the war and worked there until she retired at 70, KPNX reported.

Wanda Wright, the director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, released a message of condolences, KNXV reported.

“I am blessed to have met Sophie and hear about her service to our country. Last summer we were honored to be able to present Sophie with Governor Ducey’s Arizona Women Veteran’s Week proclamation," Wright said. "We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends, and will always remember her legacy.”

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted a tribute to Yazzie on Saturday afternoon.

She had four children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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