Cryptologic Hall of Honor

For over half a century, Cotter fostered the adoption of advanced technology in support of NSA’s mission. He led the agency in adopting high performance computers and adapting them to the mission and was founding director of the National Computer Security Center. His influence on computerization extended to the entire intelligence community and foreign partners.

Dr. Diffie’s innovative work in computer and internet security has enhanced the security of all users – government and civilian alike. His research at university facilities and private laboratories led the way in computer security theory and in practical applications.

Dr. Kahn pioneered the study of cryptologic history as an academic field and helped practitioners understand their heritage. His popular writings on cryptology and its history inspired hundreds of individuals to study cryptology and to seek employment at NSA. In addition to his books and articles, Dr. Kahn’s public appearances have helped improve the image of government cryptology to the nation at large.

Throughout the middle and end of the Cold War, McNamara’s expert leadership resulted in increased intelligence production on critical targets. Her deft touch was important in improving NSA’s relationship within the U.S. Intelligence community and with foreign partners. McNamara’s experience enabled her to shape an operational component at NSA for the post-Cold War era.

Myers’ superior language skills and deep area knowledge were crucial to successful fulfillment of NSA’s missions in many crises from the 1970’s and into the 21st century. In addition to his expert use of language in operational situations, Myers developed advanced reference materials and mentored the next generation of military and civilian linguists.

Mr. Drake was the principal architect of Canadian SIGINT in war and peacetime. His wartime leadership was a vital factor in victory over the Axis in World War II. As director of Canada's first permanent cryptologic agency, he spearheaded crucial intelligence programs against Soviet threats.

In the 1920s, Chief Kidder recognized the importance of intelligence about Japan and conducted intercept as a voluntary extra duty. His efforts helped convince senior Navy officers to establish intercept sites around the Pacific. Kidder designed and taught a course on intercept and traffic analysis for select groups of radiomen. They became the nucleus of Navy intercept in World War II.

While assigned at Station HYPO, Hawaii, through World War II, Col. Lasswell decrypted and translated Japanese fleet messages. His work had a significant impact on U.S. Navy decisions in the Battle of Coral Sea and the stunning U.S. victory at Midway Island, a turning point in the war.

As Director, NSA / Chief, CSS from 1996 to 1999, Gen Minihan conceived of and drove two of NSA’s most momentous transformations, moves far ahead of their times. Under his slogan “One team, One mission,” real-time collaboration developed between missions that had previously interacted only episodically.

She was an innovative cryptanalyst who later led a "think tank" that developed groundbreaking ideas for NSA disciplines. She also helped break the "glass ceiling" for women at the Agency.

At the beginning of the Internet age, he pioneered NSA's Internet policy and its coordination with the Intelligence Community. He laid the foundation for NSA's key Computer Network Operations mission.

His leadership and vision transformed communications security from a craft into a discipline. His policies and procedures influenced COMSEC for several generations and laid the foundation for today's information assurance mission.

NSA Director from 1977 to 1981, he transformed NSA's operations and relationships, championed innovative technical advances, and established a method of preparing leaders for their new roles that still serves NSA today.

A trailblazer in cryptanalysis, he developed a brilliant test procedure that bears his name, led an elite cryptanalytic team, and played a key role in NSA's recruitment of minorities into cryptologic careers.

A superb Vietnamese language analyst and an extraordinary manager and mentor of linguists who rose to the Agency's second highest civilian position as Executive Director. He was a champion of diversity at NSA who recognized the importance of equality in the workforce.

A strategic leader and visionary innovator who shaped NSA policies and practices that led the Agency through the Cold War. He improved and developed relationships across the Intelligence Community and with foreign partners, and developed an early watch center at NSA that served as a model for today's National Security Operations Center (NSOC).

A key innovator who led the development of cryptographic systems to protect the security and integrity of our nation's vital U.S. Nuclear Command and Control (NC2) communications and built a legacy upon which today's NC2 capabilities operate.

A dynamic leader who developed a science of system evaluation for computer security (COMSEC) practices, redesigned mathematical applications for crypto-security, and influenced the design and development of all U.S. government cryptographic devices.

A consummate cryptologist who taught herself cryptanalysis and computer programming, and also excelled as a linguist, cryptanalyst, educator, computer practitioner, and senior manager. She wrote and implemented one of the most widely-used statistical programs for all cryptanalysts during her time, and introduced new curricula in cryptanalysis for generations to come.

An innovative and forward-thinking NSA Inspector General who created a new system still used to manage signals intelligence today, dramatically improved cryptologic educational curriculum, and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity.

A hard-charging and results-focused leader in crisis management, communication development, and cryptologic standardization who catalyzed the most significant improvement to the security of government voice communications in 50 years and impacted intelligence analysis by facilitating real-time reporting.

A modern pioneer in U.S. Naval cryptology - namely "Naval Cryptology's Rickover" - who brought state-of-the-art technology to naval operations and standardized naval cryptologic work roles and education to change the culture of naval cryptology and reduce the threat of enemies to the U.S.

An unconventional and innovative Polish mathematician who became an international hero by developing the first higher-algebraic attack against a cryptographic system to decode Nazi Germany's encrypted messages and enable the U.S. and its allies to defeat the enemy. Click on Mr. Rejewski's name or photo to read the full Hall of Honor entry on the NSA site. You can also read an article about him in our Cryptologic Bytes Archives.

A brilliant theoretician whose concepts underpin 70 years of computing, enabling processing of very high-grade enciphered communications and led to development of the modern computer, and whose work turned sophisticated encrypted messages into actionable intelligence.

A renowned educator, technical leader in intelligence analysis, and role model who developed and taught courses on reporting and related skills that determined signals intelligence practice for decades and influenced several generations of NSA employees.

A brilliant mathematician and innovative thinker who revitalized the mathematics program at NSA and whose technical leadership was critical to the success of many complex projects that were essential to our Nation's security.

A language expert who successfully tackled many of the most difficult linguistic problems at NSA and mentored two generations of language officers in Asian and other languages in the theory and practice of language work.

Secure communications on the frontlines in two world wars whose innovation in tactical voice communications to foil enemy eavesdroppers and skillful manipulation of language gave U.S. forces a level of security and a speed of communications that would have been otherwise impossible. In April 2014, the official Hall of Honor plaque for the Native American Code Talkers was presented to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC. Click here to learn more about that ceremony.

Source of the symbol: NSA graphic designers created the image shown here based on guidance from the Center for Cryptologic History (that was based on their own research). They created an image that would represent ALL Code Talkers regardless of tribe or nation. The image includes the eagle feather, which is a universal symbol among Native American Nations. It represents the greatest of creatures created by the Great Spirit. On top of the eagle feather are two lightning bolts, which have been used many times in history to represent military signals and communications.