Students of US naval history are more than familiar with the stunning victory at Midway in early June of 1942. The victory, due to its importance, has achieved an iconic status. The battle resulted in the sinking of four Japanese aircraft carriers (three in less than 25 minutes) and marked the high tide of the Japan’s march across the Pacific. The victory, as all battlefield triumphs, was won by dedicated soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.
However, while most are aware of the stunning aspects of the military victory, many are not as well informed on the many cryptologic successes that led to US forces being in the right place at the right time. Patrick Weadon joins us to shed light on the incredible work done decades before the attack on Pearl Harbor by Laurence F. Safford, Joseph Rochefort, Agnes Myer Driscoll, and Harry Kidder, and other cryptologic pioneers. Their efforts laid the groundwork that eventually allowed the United States, to gain “a priceless advantage,” not only at Midway but in countless battles in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
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