Here's the story of the Native American code talkers who Trump made his 'Pocahontas' comments to

Susan Walsh/AP

President Donald Trump (R) with, from left to right, Fleming Begaye Sr., Thomas Begay, and Peter MacDonald, each of whom served as Navajo Code Talkers in World War II.

When President Donald Trump held an event honoring Navajo code talkers who served in World War II, he took the opportunity to poke fun at Sen. Elizabeth Warren's reported Native heritage by referring to her as "Pocahontas," drawing attention away from the incredible exploits of the code talkers themselves.

Trump's Monday comments were immediately denounced as "careless" by Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty, who also stated that the three men were "not pawns to advance a personal grudge."

Sen. John McCain also stood up for the code talkers in a tweet he posted on Tuesday.

"Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII," McCain wrote. "Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice."

Here are the stories of the three men Trump met with, who together with many other Navajo code talkers, helped the United States win World War II: