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Helen Nibouar

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Helen Nibouar
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A watercolour drawing of WWII cryptologist Helen Nibouar created by illustrator Layli Foroudi at the BBC's 100 Women Editathon on 8th December 2016.
Personal details
Born
Helen Breese

1917 (age 108–109)
Spouse Lt. Colonel Grover Cleveland Nibouar Jr.

Helen Nibouar (née Breese; born 1917) is a retired American cryptographer who was part of the select group who first worked on the SIGABA cipher device during World War II. She was honored by the National Security Agency's National Cryptologic Museum in 2012 for her role in "60 Years of Cryptologic Excellence".

Early life[]

Nibouar grew up in Oklahoma, where she attended high school but "was unable to attend any further education." She lived with relatives for a few years before moving to Washington DC. She was inspired to volunteer her services to the US military following the bombing of Pearl Harbour.[1]

Cryptography[]

Nibouar had not planned to become a cryptographer, but was recruited at the water fountain by a woman who encouraged her to "give cryptography a try."[2] Nibouar then trained at Morrison Field, where she met fellow cryptopgrapher Marion Johnson.[3] The two worked on the SIGABA cipher device, which was used to obscure troop movements and other sensitive material. They were part of a group of about five people who worked decoding these messages in Florida.[1] She later worked in Hawaii, Washington DC, Japan, and the The Pentagon. In Japan she met her husband, Lt. Colonel Grover Cleveland Nibouar Junior whilst assigned to the staff of General Douglas MacArthur.[4] She then worked as the instructor, teaching cryptography to military personnel. She was particularly unusual in being able to keep her job after her marriage.[1]

Later life[]

Nibouar is one of only four surviving World War II Cryptographers.[5] Nibouar later worked as a teacher and spent a large amount of time volunteering.[2][6] She and Marion Johnson were recognised at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the National Cryptologic Museum exhibit on "60 Years of Cryptologic Excellence" in recognition of their work.[7]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cooley, David P. (10 August 2012). "Interview with Helen Nibouar". National Security Agency. https://www.nsa.gov/news-features/declassified-documents/oral-history-interviews/assets/files/nsa-oh-2012-39-nibouar.pdf. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Defense.gov News Article: Cryptologists Reunite at NSA’s 60th Anniversary". http://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=118477. 
  3. ↑ "NSA's 60 Years of Cryptologic Excellence Exhibit at the NCM". http://cryptologicfoundation.org/visit/museum/museum_exhibits/recentexhibits/60_years_excellence.html. 
  4. ↑ "Lt. Colonel Grover Cleveland NIBOUAR Jr.'s Obituary on Austin American-Statesman". http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=grover-cleveland-nibouar&pid=167993286&fhid=4296. 
  5. ↑ WRITER, RAY WEISS STAFF. "Code breaker: Woman recalls 'life-and-death' WWII duty". http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20121209/code-breaker-woman-recalls-life-and-death-wwii-duty. 
  6. ↑ "Helen Nibouar honored in Washington D.C.". http://comingofageaustin.org/helen-nibouar-honored-in-washington-d-c/. 
  7. ↑ "Pearl Harbor Program, NSA's 60th Anniversary, & More". http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/785861/dfbca612a2/TEST/TEST/. 
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