Relates the life story of Samuel Holiday, one of the small group of Navajo men in the Marine Corps in World War II who used their native language as code to transmit secret communications on the battlefield. Based on extensive interviews and relating Mr. Holiday's experiences in his own words.

Introduction: Decoding the past : Origin and context of Under the eagle -- Establishing beliefs : Birth and early years -- Dine language and control : Boarding school and enlistment -- Training and protection : Preparation for war -- Traditional and contemporary combat : First encounter : Kwajalein -- The hard edge of combat : Saipan and Tinian : Protection made tangible -- The final crucible : Iwo Jima : The code talkers' triumph -- After the war : A different kind of battle -- Recognition and reconciliation : Samuel and the Code Talkers Association.