On 25 May 2005, Mr. William B. Black, Jr., Acting Director, National Security Agency, honored the service and sacrifice of SGT Joseph P. Nolan, USA, during the Agency's annual Memorial Day Observance. The event was attended by family, friends, and distinguished guests.
SGT Nolan was a cryptologist serving in the United States Army in the 312 th Intelligence Battalion of the 1 st Cavalry Division. He lost his life in November 2004, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle just outside of Fallujah, Iraq.
The ceremony included a traditional wreath laying and the unveiling of SGT Nolan's name now engraved on the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Memorial Wall. The wall, dedicated in 1996, lists the names of 154 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and civilian cryptologists who have made the ultimate sacrifice, "serving in silence," in the performance of their duties since World War II.
Additional information on the Memorial Wall and a special historical monograph highlighting SGT Nolan's life, service, and sacrifice can be viewed via the NSA/CSS website at /about/cryptologic_heritage/memorial_wall/.