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NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
CENTRAL SECURITY SERVICE

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND 20755-6000

NSA PRESS RELEASE
27 May 2004
For further information contact:
NSA Public and Media Affairs, 301-688-6524

NSA/CSS Memorial Day Observance Honors Cryptologic Heroes, Past and Present

On 27 May 2004, Lt Gen Michael V. Hayden, USAF, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service, honored the service and sacrifice of SP4 James T. Davis, USA, during the Agency's annual Memorial Day Observance. The event was attended by friends and distinguished guests.

SP4 Davis was a cryptologist serving in the United States Army in the 3rd Radio Research Unit, a unit dedicated to tracking and locating the adversary. He lost his life in December of 1961, when he and his South Vietnamese PRD-1 team were ambushed just outside of Cau Xang. SP4 Davis is believed to have been the first American soldier killed in combat during the Vietnam War.

SP4 Davis' name is engraved on the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Memorial Wall. The wall, dedicated in 1996, lists the names of 153 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 SP4 Davis' service and sacrifice can be viewed via the NSA website at /about/cryptologic_heritage/memorial_wall/index.shtml.