Five cryptologists added to NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor

Five “cryptologic greats” were inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor on October 29 at the National Cryptologic Museum (NCM). ADM Michael Rogers, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service presided over the ceremony and highlighted the distinguished achievements of each of the inductees:

• Ralph Adams, Jr.: 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.
• Charles Lord: 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).
• William Marks: 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.
• Robert “Mac” McNelis: 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.
• Virginia Jenkins Riley: 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.

The Cryptologic Hall of Honor was created in 1999 to pay tribute to the pioneers and heroes who have made significant and enduring contributions to American cryptology. Click on Cryptologic Hall of Honor for more information about these cryptologic greats.

Source: NSA