William Frederick Friedman

1891–1969 (age 78)

Cryptanalyst

Biography

William Frederick Friedman was a pioneering cryptanalyst whose breakthroughs in codebreaking, including work on the Japanese PURPLE cipher, significantly bolstered American intelligence efforts during World War II and beyond. His analytical rigor and leadership fostered the modern discipline of signals intelligence.

Friedman lies at Arlington National Cemetery, where his vital contributions to national security are respectfully memorialized.

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