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Hall of Honor

The making and breaking of codes and ciphers is a profession that demands intellect, patience and imagination, while providing little recognition beyond the confines of the cryptologic community.  That is why we participate in NSA's efforts to bring honor to those whose contributions to this discipline have been significant.

Members of the Foundation and its Officers and Board of Directors are well qualified to assess such contributions to cryptology, since they have long-term, intimate knowledge of the events and the people who have played significant roles in these events.

The Foundation makes nominations to the NSA Center for Cryptologic History of candidates for induction into the Cryptologic Hall of Honor, exhibited in the museum.  The Hall of Honor was created in 1999 and pays tribute to those who have rendered exceptionally distinguished service to the field of American cryptology.

Please note that even though the deadline for nominees for the current year is normally around the end of May,, you can submit a nominee at any time during the year and they will be considered during the next cycle. Go to HoH Selection Guidelines to read and/or print the NSA guidelines for the HoH process

Hall of Honor Inductions, 2011

Four pioneers of American cryptology were inducted into the NSA/CSS Hall of Honor on 28 November at the National Cryptologic Museum. In his keynote remarks during the induction ceremony, John C. Inglis, Deputy Director, National Security Agency, highlighted the distinguished achievements of each of the inductees:

     Mr. William Coffee: A civil rights pioneer who proved what minorities could achieve in cryptology when given the opportunity. He served as one of the first African-American cryptologists elevated to a supervisory position in the Army Signal Security Agency.


    Mr. Joseph Desch: Selected among all other engineers at the National Cash Register Company to design the Bombe, a vital cryptanalytic machine in the war against Germany's U-boats, thus saving countless lives and helping to achieve Allied victory in Europe in World War II.


    Colonel Parker Hitt: Authored The Manual for the Solution of Military Ciphers. Published in 1916, this was the first work of its kind in the United States in 100 years and laid the foundation for the nation's impressive cryptologic achievements during the 20th century. His cryptographic and cryptanalytic principles were used for decades to protect U.S. military communications.


    Ms. Laura Holmes: A career cryptanalyst who inspired and motivated her students and colleagues with her patience and persistence in solving some of the most difficult cryptanalytic problems in the late 20th century. Her remarkable qualities and legendary ability to remember facets of different systems were often the difference between success and failure.


For more information on the contributions of these individuals or to see those inducted in prior years, click here to visit the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Hall of Honor.