An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Press Release | Oct. 18, 2016

Three Pioneers Inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor

FORT MEADE, Md.  –  

Three cryptologic pioneers were inducted into the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor today at the National Security Agency. ADM Michael S. Rogers, USN, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the achievements of each of the distinguished inductees:

  • Mr. Gerald Hale: His visionary leadership was a critical element in the Agency's transformation from a predominantly strategic support organization to one proficient in real-time intelligence support to the war fighter.
  • Captain Leonard T. Jones,  USCG: A pioneer in the development of clandestine radio intelligence for the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1930s and 1940s, his expertise in cryptology laid the foundation for the impressive successes Coast Guard cryptologists achieved against the Prohibition-era "Rumrunners" and against Germany during World War II.
  • Command Sergeant Major Odell Williams,  USA: An exceptionally talented educator and manager, he coordinated the development of courses in Operational Electronic Intelligence and Fusion Intelligence, instituting "first of its kind" virtual/online training at the Naval Technical Training Center.

The NSA/CSS 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. Visit our Cryptologic Hall of Honor section for more information about these cryptologic greats.

To learn more about these cryptologic greats, visit the National Cryptologic Museum at the intersection of Maryland Route 32 and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (I-295), adjacent to the headquarters of the National Security Agency. Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays), and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month. Admission and parking are free. For more information about the museum, please visit our National Cryptologic Museum section. You can also follow the National Cryptologic Museum on Facebook.