In a conventional conflict, ground units depend heavily on intelligence from higher commands to help 

them navigate the fog of war...Information flows largely from the top down. In a counterinsurgency, the 

flow is (or should be) reversed. The soldier or development worker on the ground is usually the person 

best informed about the environment and the enemy.

 Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, 

U.S. Army

Spc. John A. Pelham was a true son of the state of Oregon. John was born on November 9, 1991, in the city 

of Beaverton, a town that the famous explorers Lewis and Clark once noted was the “only desired situation for 

settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.” John’s father noted that from the beginning his son showed a great 

concern for others. Whether he was participating in the activities of his local scout troop or knocking baseballs 

out of the park for the Sunset High Apollos baseball team, John always sought to be a hero to the underdogs of 

the world. He abhorred bullying and was always coming to the defense of the defenseless. 

During his junior year he joined a program sponsored by the 

Oregon National Guard and began to consider following in the 

footsteps of his grandfather and uncle who had both served with 

distinction in the United States Army. John’s father noted that over 

the years the Pelhams had come to consider military service as the 

“family business.” After high school, for a brief time John attended 

the local junior college on a baseball scholarship, but ultimately his 

desire to move forward with his life and to continue his family’s 

tradition of service to the nation won out. In 2011, he joined the 

United States Army. 

After enlisting, John underwent training to become a signals 

intelligence analyst and was ultimately assigned to the 3rd Special 

Forces Group (SFG). The motto of the U.S. Special Forces is “De 

Oppresso Liber,” which means “Free the Oppressed.” Since its 

The Story of a Cryptologic Hero

Spc. John A. Pelham
Photographs courtesy of the Pelham family

Visit our web site, www.nsa.gov

MEMORIAL DAY 2015

Spc. John A. Pelham

09 Nov 1991 - 12 Feb 2014

inception in the 1960s the 3rd SFG had more than lived up to that motto. John 

deployed with the unit on his second tour in October 2013, and in 2014, the unit 

found itself facing another immense challenge in fighting the enemy on battlefields 

of Afghanistan. 

As a signals intelligence analyst Spc. Pelham’s job was to collect electronic 

communications with the aim of allowing his chain of command to determine the 

future intentions of the adversary. His efforts to detect hostile enemy movements and 

objectives prior to engagements not only provided his unit with untold advantages on 

the battlefield but also saved lives. 

On February 12, 2014, while on patrol 

within Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, John’s 

squad came under fire from gunmen wearing 

Afghan security force uniforms. During the 

firefight all four assailants were killed but 

during the attack, John and a fellow soldier, 

Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Skelt, fell to enemy fire. 

In his all too short time on this earth, John Pelham will be remembered 

for being a caring son; a loving brother; a fun uncle to his nieces; a loving 

companion to his fiancee, Laura; and a true inspiration to all who knew 

him. His fellow soldiers will remember his constant and courageous efforts 

to help them prevail in battle and save lives. John, himself, noted that 

during his time in the service he had “never been happier and never been 

more at peace” with who he was and with what he was doing. His service 

and sacrifice will forever be remembered by those who loved him and by those he served.

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