Ralph W. Adams, Jr.

The National Cryptologic Museum is sad to report the passing of cryptologic great, Ralph W. Adams, Jr., on January 23, 2017. Mr. Adams was a veteran of the Vietnam War and inducted into the National Security Agency's Hall of Honor in 2015 for his accomplishments in cryptology and service to our nation. See his Hall of Honor write-up here: https://www.nsa.gov/…/histo…/hall-of-honor/2015/radams.shtml.

Today marks the anniversary of the Tet Offensive. Here are some photos related to the Vietnam War taken at the musem.

Enigma in the Trenches

See the enigma in action in the foreground of this photo taken during World War II. The enigma was the German's key tactical communications device during the war.

On this date in 1917, German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmerman sent a message to the Imperial Minister of Mexico urging him to start a war with the United States. In return, Germany would help Mexico regain Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico from the United States at the conclusion of World War I. The message also told the President of Mexico that Germany would resume unrestricted submarine warfare against any vessel in the Atlantic starting February 1. President Woodrow Wilson, who ran on a campaign to keep the United States from entering the war, was furious when he learned of Germany's proposition to Mexico. Following a public outcry, he asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany on April 2, 1917. War was declared on April 6.

Work Begins on National Vigilance Park

Work on disassembling the Air Force C-130, Navy EA-3B Ranger 12, and Army RU-8D Seminole reconnaissance aircraft began this week at National Vigilance Park. The park will be reestablished as part of a new planned facility. Meanwhile, the aircraft will be cleaned, pressure washed, crated, and stored. Check back here for more photos and information in the days and weeks to come.

Necessity to Invention

Last week we posted the "Numbers" device from our "Cryptologic Treasures" exhibit. Here are a couple of other items from the exhibit, "Red Analog" and the "Depth Reader." The Red Analog on the left was designed by Frank Rowlett of the U.S. Army Signals Intelligence Service. It was used to decrypt the 1930s Japanese diplomatic cipher system that Army cryptologists dubbed, "Red." Several of these wooden and plastic devices were made before an electro-mechanical version could be built. The Depth Reader on the right was made of wood in 1942 and was probably used to aid in the cryptanalysis of Japanese naval codes. Messages sent using the same key were said to give "depth." The deeper the depth, the more likely the key and messages could be solved.

This cryptanalytic working aid, dubbed "Numbers", is part of the "Necessity to Invention" exhibit at the museum. It is just one of several handmade devices on display. It, and its twin "Exodus", were made to help with the placement of enciphered code messages. It was built during World War II by the U.S. Army's Japanese Army Air Section. Such handmade devices were built for expediency. Ofttimes, the time and materiel needed in wartime was too great to wait for a manufactured device. It some cases, too few were needed to justify the expense. Whatever the reason, handmade devices filled the need.

The National Cryptologic Museum holds a small collection of artwork. This piece is one of two original watercolors painted by Walter Nichols, a German artist in WWII. It is entitled “Encrypting with Codemachine.” According to the art dealer who sold it to the NCM Curator many years ago, Nichols was a German soldier who had to smuggle his artwork back to his family because he had painted secret machines. How it came to be in the United States is unknown.

The National Cryptologic Museum is CLOSED Monday, December 26, 2017 in the federal government's observation of Christmas.
Please join us Tuesday-Friday 9:00-4:00.
Happy Holidays!

Something new for the holidays! The Cryptologic Museum has a new interactive program for our guests. Using your smartphone you can download the TrekSolver app and go on a "Top Secret Scavenger Hunt." It's FREE and it's fun!

If you can find the answers and solve the puzzles, you'll get a certificate redeemable for prizes at our front desk. It's a fun way to explore the museum. (Recommended for ages 12 and older.)

December 20 was the anniversary of the capture of the North Vietnamese notebooks on display in the NCM's Vietnam exhibit. On December 20, 1969, Soldiers of the U.S. Army's 1st Division were on patrol in Binh Duong Province of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) and spotted an antenna wire protruding from the ground. What they actually discovered was one of a well-developed network of tunnels of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). Inside was a cache of over 2,000 intercepted U.S. and South Vietnamese voice transmissions. They also captured 13 of the 18-person communications unit with receivers and other equipment of Chinese, Vietnamese, and U.S. origin. These notebooks provided the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong with information on the location of allied units, disposition of forces, and other importance intelligence.

On this date in 1516, Johannes Trithemius, author of the oldest book on cryptology, "Polygraphaie," died. He began writing the book in 1508, but it was not published until 1518. In fact, Trithemius wrote several books and finished them quickly, but they were not published until after his death. This photo is of the museum's rare book exhibit, which includes a copy of "Polygraphaie." No flash photography please!

Holiday cheer to all from the National Cryptologic Museum! Come visit us during the holidays!