U.S. NCVA Annual Cryptologic Awards
The U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association awards recipients selected annually by U.S. Fleet Cyber Command /U.S. TENTH Fleet from those nominated by their commanding officers who have demonstrated singular initiative, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty in U.S. Navy cryptologic operations.
The winners are those men and women who have been nominated by their commanding officers and whose records reflect them as having demonstrated singular initiative, resourcefulness, and dedication to duty in cryptologic operations over an extended period of time.
Captain Joseph Rochefort Information Warfare Officer
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet selects an officer recipient of the Information Warfare Officer Distinguished Leadership Award, named in honor of Captain Joseph Rochefort. Captain Rochefort led the cryptologists assigned to Station Hypo in Hawaii who played such a significant role in the U.S. victory against the Imperial Japanese Navy at the Battle of Midway in 1942. The U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association had the honor of first presenting this award in 2013.
Captain Joseph John Rochefort was a major figure in the U.S. Navy’s development of cryptologic and intelligence capabilities from 1925 to 1947. He headed the U.S. Navy’s fledgling cryptanalytic organization in the 1920s and provided singularly superb cryptologic support to the U.S. fleet during World War II, leading to victory in the Pacific War. At the end of his career (1942 – 1946), CAPT Rochefort successfully headed the Pacific Strategic Intelligence Group in Washington. In 1986, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contribution during the Battle of Midway.
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2024 | LCDR Justin Miles |
| 2023 | LCDR Nicholas J. Davis, USN (NSWDG) |
| 2022 | LCDR Gerie W. Palanca, USN (U.S. 7th Fleet Staff) |
| 2021 | LCDR Stephen Cortez, USN (Carrier Strike Group FIVE) |
| 2020 | Cryptologic awards were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic. |
| 2019 | CDR Jeffrey L. Burke, USN |
| 2018 | CWO4 Jarvis J. Ware, USN |
| 2017 | CWO4 Kevin J. Schneider, USN |
| 2016 | Commander Michael C. Elliot, USN |
| 2015 | Commander James W. Adkisson, USN |
| 2014 | Lieutenant Commander Charles H. Hall, USN |
| 2013 | Lieutenant Commander Lemuel Lawrence, USN |
| 2012 | CWO3 Stephen J. Garofolo, USN |
| 2011 | Commander Nicholas Homan, USN Commanding Officer, NIOC Colorado |
On-The-Roof-Gang Cryptologist of the Year
Between 1921 and 1927, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel taught themselves to break the Imperial Japanese code and passed these skills informally to many of their contemporaries. The value of the information extracted was recognized under the auspices of OP-20-G, the former Office of the Director of Naval Communications. Formal training was subsequently developed and implemented in 1928 and took place, until 1941, in a specially constructed blockhouse on the roof of the old main Navy building in Washington, D.C. — hence the name “On-the-Roof-Gang” (OTRG). Since 1983, the OTRG award has recognized cryptologists who exemplify leadership, initiative, resourcefulness, and dedication, and personify the highest traditions established for cryptologic excellence.
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps recipients of the On-The-Roof-Gang Cryptologist of the Year Award are selected by Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. TENTH Fleet and honored at an appropriate awards ceremony at his or her current duty station with a letter congratulations from the Executive Director of the U.S. Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, presentation of a distinguished personal plaque, and a three-year membership in the U.S. NCVA.
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| 2020 | Cryptologic awards were suspended in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. |
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U.S. NCVA Award for Cryptologic Support Excellence
In 1987, an award for cryptologic excellence was created by Commander, Naval Security Group to recognize U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps personnel for their superior accomplishments in cryptologic support functions.
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