Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II

by Liza Mundy

That this book exists is thanks to the efforts of many people who wished to see the women’s story come to light. NSA historian Betsy Smoot, chief among these, shared advice, articles, contacts, links, and many patient explanations. Jennifer Wilcox, administrator at the National Cryptologic Museum, broke ground on this topic in several museum publications, and shared her files. At the Cryptologic Museum Library, Rene Stein, who knows where everything is and has digitized most of it, provided an instant response to my every question. In Dayton, Ohio, Deborah Anderson, the daughter of Joseph Desch, is one of the few Americans who sought to contact former code breakers, and perhaps the only person who orchestrated reunions to honor them. She has amassed a rich collection of photos and clippings and letters, which she shared over the course of several very fun days.