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  History
  Cryptologic History
  Historical Figures
 
 Cryptologic Hall of HonorAfrican Americans in Cryptologic HistoryWomen in Cryptologic History
 **Cryptologic Hall of Honor** The Cryptologic Hall of Honor was created in 1999 to pay special tribute to the pioneers and heroes who rendered distinguished service to American cryptology. The standards are high for induction into this great hall. The individuals honored were innovators over their entire careers or made major contributions to the structure and processes of American cryptology. The men and women who have been inducted to the Cryptologic Hall of Honor are all greats in the once silent world of cryptology. In the early days of America's cryptologic effort, many of the "giants" did both Signals Intelligence and Information Assurance. They made important contributions to both offensive and defensive cryptology. As such, they were among the first inducted into the Cryptologic Hall of Honor. **Cryptologic Hall of Honor Nomination Process** The Cryptologic Hall of Honor is an important part of the NSA/CSS heritage program and pays tribute to those who made extraordinarily important contributions to America’s national security through cryptology, or who had a lifetime of high achievement in the cryptologic field. The nomination process is undertaken by a Panel supported by the Center for Cryptologic History (CCH) and adheres to professional historical standards for research, analysis, and objectivity.
The call for nominations for the Cryptologic Hall of Honor is issued annually, usually in February. However, they may be submitted at any time; the formal call is merely a reminder that the deadline for the current cycle is approaching. Nominations received after the deadline (usually in March) will be considered for the following year. Note: It is imperative that nominations adhere to the prescribed format and word count restrictions. Failure to do so requires reformatting and editing by CCH staff and may result in delayed consideration of a nominee and/or improper consideration of career accomplishments. The criterion for selection is high achievement using cryptology to preserve the security of the United States and the American people.
 This achievement could be in one major event or over a career.
 “Cryptology,” for the purposes of these nominations, is defined as any direct or enabling function that supports NSA mission success.
 Nominations may be for individuals or groups.
 While a majority of nominations have been U.S. government employees or members of the armed forces, any individual may be nominated and selected, including foreign partners, contractors or persons from academia, e.g.
 Nominees need not be deceased to be submitted, however, they must have departed full-time cryptologic service at least 10 years prior to their nomination.
 Nominations, once formally submitted, will remain active for ten years. If new information becomes available after that time, nominations can be re-submitted to the Sub-Panel. The Panel Executive Secretary will compile the final selections into a staffing package and forward to the Director NSA for final approval. Upon the Director NSA’s approval, Strategic Communications will schedule a ceremony to induct the new Cryptologic Hall of Honor members in the Canine Suites (usually in October or November).Cryptologic Hall of Honor Nomination Form**Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremonies** 
 Click here to download photos from the 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony.
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 2022 Cryptologic Hall of Honor Ceremony
 **Cryptologic Hall of Honor Inductees**  Collapse All Expand All 
 Name
   Photo
   Date
   Images
   VideoMs. Eunice Russell Willson Rice
   Ms. Eunice Russell Willson Rice
   2022 Hall of Honor Inductee
   Download Photos
   View VideoMr. Youn P. (YP) Kim
   Mr. Youn P. (YP) Kim
   2022 Hall of Honor Inductee
   Download Photos
   View VideoRichard “Dickie” George
   Richard “Dickie” George
   2022 Hall of Honor Inductee
   Download Photos
   View VideoRobert Orestes Ferner
   Robert Orestes Ferner
   2022 Hall of Honor Inductee
   Download Photos
   View VideoJack C. Mortick
   Jack C. Mortick
   2021 Hall of Honor Inductee
   
   View VideoJoseph E. Gilligan, Jr.
   Joseph E. Gilligan, Jr.
   2021 Hall of Honor Inductee
   
   View VideoClifford Cocks, James Ellis,
   and Malcolm Williamson
   Clifford Cocks, James Ellis, and Malcolm Williamson
   2021 Hall of Honor Inductee
   
   View VideoLester K. Myers
   Lester K. Myers
   2020 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Whitfield Diffie
   Dr. Whitfield Diffie
   2020 Hall of Honor InducteeBarbara A. McNamara
   Barbara A. McNamara
   2020 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. David Kahn
   Dr. David Kahn
   2020 Hall of Honor InducteeGeorge R. Cotter
   George R. Cotter
   2020 Hall of Honor InducteeEdward M. Drake
   Edward M. Drake
   2019 Hall of Honor InducteeChief Harry Kidder, USN
   Chief Harry Kidder, USN
   2019 Hall of Honor InducteeCol Alva Bryan Lasswell, USMC
   Col Alva Bryan Lasswell, USMC
   2019 Hall of Honor InducteeLt. Gen. Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF
   Lt. Gen. Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF
   2019 Hall of Honor Inductee
 
 Name
   Photo
   Date
   Images
   VideoRichard L. “Dick” Bernard
   Richard L. “Dick” Bernard
   2018 Hall of Honor InducteeSeymour R. Cray
   Seymour R. Cray
   2018 Hall of Honor InducteeWhitney E. Reed
   Whitney E. Reed
   2018 Hall of Honor InducteeMichael J. Jacobs
   Michael J. Jacobs
   2018 Hall of Honor InducteeHilda Faust Mathieu
   Hilda Faust Mathieu
   2018 Hall of Honor InducteeFloyd L. Weakley
   Floyd L. Weakley
   2017 Hall of Honor InducteeADM Bobby R. Inman, USN
   ADM Bobby R. Inman, USN
   2017 Hall of Honor InducteeCol Frank E. Herrelko, USAF
   Col Frank E. Herrelko, USAF
   2017 Hall of Honor InducteeDennis M. Chiari
   Dennis M. Chiari
   2017 Hall of Honor InducteeMary H. "Polly" Budenbach
   Mary H. Budenbach
   2017 Hall of Honor InducteeCommand Sergeant Major Odell Williams, USA
   Command Sergeant Major Odell Williams, USA
   2016 Hall of Honor InducteeCaptain Leonard T. Jones, USCG
   Captain Leonard T. Jones, USCG
   2016 Hall of Honor InducteeGerald Hale
   Gerald Hale
   2016 Hall of Honor InducteeVirginia Jenkins Riley
   Virginia Jenkins Riley
   2015 Hall of Honor InducteeRobert J. "Mac" McNelis
   Robert J. McNelis
   2015 Hall of Honor InducteeWilliam O. Marks
   William O. Marks
   2015 Hall of Honor InducteeCharles R. (Dick) Lord
   Charles R. (Dick) Lord
   2015 Hall of Honor InducteeRalph W. Adams, Jr.
   Ralph W. Adams, Jr.
   2015 Hall of Honor InducteeAlan Turing
   Alan Turing
   2014 Hall of Honor InducteeMarian Rejewski
   Marian Rejewski
   2014 Hall of Honor InducteeCaptain Howard Ehret
   Captain Howard Ehret
   2014 Hall of Honor InducteeWalter Deeley
   Walter Deeley
   2014 Hall of Honor InducteeFrank Austin
   Frank Austin
   2014 Hall of Honor Inductee
 
 Name
   Photo
   Date
   Images
   VideoNative American Code Talkers
   Native American Code Talkers
   2013 Hall of Honor InducteeWashington Wong
   Washington Wong
   2013 Hall of Honor InducteeRichard Proto
   Richard Proto
   2013 Hall of Honor InducteeVera Ruth Filby
   Vera Ruth Filby
   2013 Hall of Honor InducteeJuliana Mickwitz
   Juliana Mickwitz
   2012 Hall of Honor InducteeRonald Hunt
   Ronald Hunt
   2012 Hall of Honor InducteeRobert Drake
   Robert Drake
   2012 Hall of Honor InducteeAnn Caracristi
   Ann Caracristi
   2012 Hall of Honor InducteeLaura Holmes
   Laura Holmes
   2011 Hall of Honor InducteeColonel Parker Hitt
   Colonel Parker Hitt
   2011 Hall of Honor InducteeJoseph Desch
   Joseph Desch
   2011 Hall of Honor InducteeWilliam Coffee
   William Coffee
   2011 Hall of Honor InducteeLeo Rosen
   Leo Rosen
   2010 Hall of Honor InducteeGenevieve Grotjan Feinstein
   Genevieve Grotjan Feinstein
   2010 Hall of Honor InducteeDavid Boak
   David Boak
   2010 Hall of Honor InducteeJoseph Amato
   Joseph Amato
   2010 Hall of Honor InducteeMinnie McNeal Kenny
   Minnie McNeal Kenny
   2009 Hall of Honor InducteeArthur J. Levenson
   Arthur J. Levenson
   2009 Hall of Honor InducteeMaj Gen Doyle E. Larson, USAF
   Maj Gen Doyle E. Larson, USAF
   2009 Hall of Honor InducteeRichard A. Day, Jr.
   Richard A. Day, Jr.
   2009 Hall of Honor Inductee
 
 Name
   Photo
   Date
   Images
   VideoRADM Donald M. Showers, USN (Ret)
   RADM Donald M. Showers, USN (Ret)
   2008 Hall of Honor InducteeOliver R. Kirby
   Oliver R. Kirby
   2008 Hall of Honor InducteeGeneral Alfred M. Gray, USMC
   General Alfred M. Gray, USMC
   2008 Hall of Honor InducteeCharles L. Gandy
   Charles L. Gandy
   2008 Hall of Honor InducteeBenson K. Buffham
   Benson K. Buffham
   2008 Hall of Honor InducteeMilton Zaslow
   Milton Zaslow
   2007 Hall of Honor InducteeSamuel S. Snyder
   Samuel S. Snyder
   2007 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Robert J. Hermann
   Dr. Robert J. Hermann
   2007 Hall of Honor InducteeJacob Gurin
   Jacob Gurin
   2007 Hall of Honor InducteeThomas E. Tremain
   Thomas E. Tremain
   2006 Hall of Honor InducteeJames W. Pryde
   James W. Pryde
   2006 Hall of Honor InducteeCecil J. Phillips
   Cecil J. Phillips
   2006 Hall of Honor InducteeEdward A. Everett
   Edward A. Everett
   2006 Hall of Honor InducteeBrigadier General Bernard Ardisana, USAF
   Brigadier General Bernard Ardisana, USAF
   2006 Hall of Honor InducteeRear Admiral Joseph N. Wenger, USN
   Rear Admiral Joseph N. Wenger, USN
   2005 Hall of Honor InducteeArthur Salemme
   Arthur Salemme
   2005 Hall of Honor InducteeFrancis Raven
   Francis Raven
   2005 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. William Blankinship
   Dr. William Blankinship
   2005 Hall of Honor InducteeBrigadier John Tiltman
   Brigadier John Tiltman
   2004 Hall of Honor InducteeMeredith Gardner
   Meredith Gardner
   2004 Hall of Honor InducteeJames R. Chiles
   James R. Chiles
   2004 Hall of Honor InducteeDorothy T. Blum
   Dorothy T. Blum
   2004 Hall of Honor Inductee
 
 Name
   Photo
   Date
   Images
   VideoHoward E. Rosenblum
   Howard E. Rosenblum
   2003 Hall of Honor InducteeJuanita Moody
   Juanita Moody
   2003 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Lowell K. Frazer
   Dr. Lowell K. Frazer
   2003 Hall of Honor InducteeLambros D. Callimahos
   Lambros D. Callimahos
   2003 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Julia Ward
   Dr. Julia Ward
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeCharles C. Tevis
   Charles C. Tevis
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeMitford M. Mathews
   Mitford M. Mathews
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Richard A. Leibler
   Dr. Richard A. Leibler
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeNorman Wild
   Norman Wild
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeCAPT Thomas H. Dyer, USN
   CAPT Thomas H. Dyer, USN
   2002 Hall of Honor InducteeMaj Gen John E. Morrison, Jr., USAF
   Maj Gen John E. Morrison, Jr., USAF
   2001 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Sydney Jaffe
   Dr. Sydney Jaffe
   2001 Hall of Honor InducteeMahlon E. Doyle
   Mahlon E. Doyle
   2001 Hall of Honor InducteeHoward C. Barlow
   Howard C. Barlow
   2001 Hall of Honor InducteeAgnes Meyer Driscoll
   Agnes Meyer Driscoll
   2000 Hall of Honor InducteeCAPT Joseph J. Rochefort, USN
   CAPT Joseph J. Rochefort, USN
   2000 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Louis W. Tordella
   Dr. Louis W. Tordella
   2000 Hall of Honor InducteeLTG Ralph J. Canine, USA
   LTG Ralph J. Canine, USA
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Solomon Kullback
   Dr. Solomon Kullback
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeDr. Abraham Sinkov
   Dr. Abraham Sinkov
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeFrank B. Rowlett
   Frank B. Rowlett
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeCAPT Laurance Safford, USN
   CAPT Laurance Safford, USN
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeHerbert O. Yardley
   Herbert O. Yardley
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeElizebeth S. Friedman
   Elizebeth S. Friedman
   1999 Hall of Honor InducteeWilliam F. Friedman
   William F. Friedman
   1999 Hall of Honor Inductee
 **African Americans in Cryptologic History** The experience of African Americans at NSA and its predecessor organization mirrors the African American experience in the United States and the Federal Government in the latter half of the twentieth century. The first African American hired by the Army Security Agency, and who later made the transition to the Armed Forces Security Agency, worked first in a segregated office. Senior supervisors were white and many of the duties were menial ones not wanted by whites. In the 1950s, African Americans began to move into the mainstream workforce. The segregated office was abolished and more African Americans received supervisory positions. Many African Americans advanced to NSA's senior ranks. Many of those who began their careers in the segregated work environment finished at the top of their profession. For many years it was believed that African Americans had first been hired to work in cryptology only after World War II. Recent research has revealed, however, that the first large-scale hiring program for African Americans began in 1944. By the end of the war, a segregated office of thirty African Americans was engaged in researching messages encrypted in unknown systems, analyzing them, and producing translations.Read more about our Invisible Cryptologists.
 Portrait of Bernard PryorBernard Pryor
            
            Portrait of Calvin BrownCalvin Brown
            
            Portrait of Carroll RobinsonCarroll Robinson
            
            Portrait of Charles MatthewsCharles Matthews
            
            Portrait of David BryantDavid Bryant
            
            Portrait of Herman PhynesHerman Phynes
            
            Portrait of Iris CarrIris Carr
            
            Portrait of James BosticJames Bostic
            
            Portrait of James PrydeJames Pryde
            
            Portrait of William CoffeeWilliam Coffee
 **Women in American Cryptology** Although the number of women involved in cryptology has always been lower than the number of men, they have not been completely absent from the field either. Women have always been involved in America's cryptologic history. Some have reached the higher ranks of management and a few have been considered the expert in their field. Cryptologic pioneers, such as Elizebeth Friedman and Agnes Driscoll, are well known to those who study cryptology. Were it not for their early involvement, the women of today may not have been able to reach their current numbers or status. But not every woman, or their organizations, has made it into the history books. Thousands of lesser-known women cryptologists have also played a role in creating the legacy women enjoy today. Their achievements, and in some cases their escapades, furthered the progress of women in cryptology. Women's involvement was sometimes sporadic, but significant. The Women in Cryptologic History exhibit at the National Cryptologic Museum highlights the contributions of twenty-four women who have helped create cryptologic history. The display begins with a member of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution who used her laundry as a secret code. Women spies from the Civil War also used codes and ciphers to aid those fighting for the causes they believed in. But it wasn't until the twentieth century that women began to work full-time in cryptology. During WWI several women considered to be cryptologic pioneers began their careers, as did some women few people today would know. During WWII thousands of women joined the military or worked as civilians for the military as cryptanalysts, intercept operators, technicians, machinists and every other position available in cryptology. Many of those women chose to stay in the field after the war, providing breakthroughs and contributions throughout the Cold War. Eventually, women rose to the highest ranks of management and today continue to support, develop, and build the cryptologic legacy of tomorrow.
Learn more about how women supported cryptologic efforts in World War II.
 Minnie McNeal KennyMinnie McNeal Kenny
            
            Portrait of Elizebeth Smith FriedmanElizebeth S. Friedman
            
            Portrait of Agnes Meyer DriscollAgnes Meyer Driscoll
            
            Portrait of Juanita MoodyJuanita Moody
            
            Dorothy T. BlumDorothy T. Blum
            
            Portrait of Genevieve Grotjan FeinsteinGenevieve Grotjan Feinstein
            
            Portrait of Juliana MickwitzJuliana Mickwitz
            
            Portrait of Ruth WilsonRuth Wilson
            
            Portrait of Julia WetzelJulia Wetzel
            
            Portrait of Elizabeth Van LewElizabeth Van Lew
            
            Portrait of Katharine SwiftKatharine Swift
            
            Anna Strong
Anna Strong
            
            Portrait of Renetta Predmore-LynchRenetta Predmore-Lynch
            
            Portrait of Marie MeyerMarie Meyer
            
            Portrait of Barbara ClarkBarbara Clark
            
            Ann Z. Caracristi, NSA Deputy Director April 1980 - July 1982Ann Z. Caracristi
            
            Portrait of Sarah BotsaiSarah Botsai
            
            Portrait of Maureen BaginskiMaureen Baginski
            
            Portrait of Mary H. "Polly" BudenbachMary H. "Polly" Budenbach
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