Marine Corps Mascot Changeover Ceremony

Pvt. Johnny Ray "Manny" Manuelito Sr. relieves Cpl. Smedley D. Butler as Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Mascot on May, 24, 2019. "Manny" is named in honor of Sgt. Johnny R. Manuelito, Sr., One of the 'original 29' Navajo Code Talkers who trained in the first All Navajo Platoon here on the depot in 1942. Manuelito helped create the code that the Navajos developed at Camp Elliot, now Miramar. He became an instructor, teaching other Navajo Marines the code.