News
Follow the news and events at the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation here, including breaking news and the latest on upcoming Foundation events.
As a leading voice for those who have served in silence, the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation often has news to share about the Museum, Foundation, or one of our many programs.
Milt Zaslow (1921-2008)
On 15 July 2008, at a suburban hospital alongside the Washington Beltway in Maryland, Milton Zaslow, 
once a self-described “smart-ass kid from New York” who became one of the giants of post-World War II government cryptology, slipped away from us, suddenly and unexpectedly. That perhaps would have been his preference. A supremely self-confident man and a natural leader, he was at heart a modest and private person: ready to honor his friends and colleagues, he disdained ceremony centered upon himself.
A father, he lived alone in recent years, since the loss of his beloved wife. A veteran of World War II in the Pacific, his life had been spent in government service; in retirement he devoted his time to repaying what he felt he had received, through volunteer work, “tiring, but necessary.” Much of that work involved the support of cryptologic history and the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation, in which he assumed the lead in recognizing and honoring his former colleagues.
Mr. Zaslow was graduated from the City College of New York as war broke out. Anticipating the need for linguists, he enrolled in a highly intensive (and highly expensive) course in Japanese, conducted by New York University. Upon completion, he was interviewed, with other students of promise, by an Army officer and sent to a “total immersion” Japanese course at the University of Michigan, after which – with no basic training – he was assigned to work with Nisei volunteers, Japanese Americans, mostly from Hawaii and California, in the army.
Totally alien to Japanese and their way of life, he formed a deep appreciation and a lasting bond. These became the subject of an interview for the Library of Congress, sponsored by the Japanese American Veterans’ Association (JAVA) in 2004 (available here) recounting his experiences as an army captain and leader of a ten-man team of military intelligence, detailed under US Navy auspices to serve with US Marines.
Transferring after the war to the US Army Security Agency and a career in cryptology, Zaslow moved through the echelons of management and organizational mergers into the Armed Forces Security Agency (1949) and the successor National Security Agency (1952), rising as a senior executive to the level of a deputy director, having headed offices in Japan (1961-63), the Pentagon (1969-72) and London (1975-78).
He also served as chief of the analytic office responsible for Southeast Asia during that war. Mr. Zaslow retired from active service in 1979, as NSA Deputy Director for Telecommunications and Computer Services. In October 2007, a life-time of confidential work that could not be publicly appreciated was honored by the induction of “Mr. Z.” into the Hall of Honor at the National Cryptologic Museum, Fort George G. Meade, MD. There he joined the pantheon of “giants” of American cryptology.
David W. Gaddy, NCMF, 18 July 2008
Donations for the Silent Auction
The NCMF is asking for donations of memorabilia for the next Silent Auction at the General Session in November 2008. If you have pictures or artifacts and would like to contribute to the next auction please contact Mr. Dave D'Auria at 443-745-0381 or email him at davedauria@comcast.net.
New Wall Display at the Entrance to the NCM
The new display being developed for the entrance to the NCM is sponsored by the NCMF and will provide a snapshot of museum exhibits and plans for the new museum. A special section of the wall will be devoted to recognition of individuals and organizations who support the work of the Foundation. Mr. Frank Saus, Chairman of the Facilities Committee has been spearheading the effort and is being assisted by Mr. Michael Green.
Museum Library
The National Cryptologic Museum Library holds a unique collection and archives of unclassified and declassified books, documents, and memorabilia focusing on cryptology and cryptologic history. The goals of the Library are to support the activities of the National Cryptologic Museum, to present an overview of the topical literature and materials to museum visitors, and to provide research facilities for those interested in the subject. The Library, a non-lending institution, welcomes academicians, historians, research fellows, high school students, and cryptology buffs to avail themselves of the wealth of historical and primary source materials. Rene Stein, Museum Librarian, is available to assist visitors in using the collection.