Ann Z. Caracristi

Ann Z. Caracristi
9th Deputy Director of the National Security Agency
In office April 1, 1980 – July 30, 1982
Preceded by	Robert E. Drake
Succeeded by	Robert E. Rich
Personal details
Born	Ann Zeilinger Caracristi February 1, 1921 Bronxville, New York, U.S.
Died	January 10, 2016 (aged 94) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education	Russell Sage College Federal Executive Institute
Profession	Cryptanalyst, intelligence consultant and official

Ann Zeilinger Caracristi (February 1, 1921 – January 10, 2016) was an American cryptanalyst, former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency,^[1] where she served at various positions over a 40-year career. She served as a member of the Secretary of Defense Joint Security Commission and President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. She became the first woman at NSA to be promoted to GS-18 rank, in 1975.

Biography

She was born in Bronxville, New York.^[2] She lived most of her adult life in a one-bedroom cottage in Georgetown, and her hobbies included birds and collecting pewter.^[3]

In 2002, her name was given to a Naval Intelligence Professionals' award.^[4] Caracristi died January 10, 2016, in Washington at the age of 94. She had dementia in her later years.^[5]

Rewards

• 1980 - Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.

References

1. Former Deputy Directors NSA website.
2. Who's who of American women. Marquis Who's Who. 1973. ISBN 9780837904085. Retrieved 2015-04-13.
3. Orton, Kathy (2016-02-26). "Little red cottage is a cozy secret tucked away in Georgetown". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
4. Ann Caracristi Award Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. on the Naval Intelligence website
5. Weil, Martin (2016-01-11). "Ann Caracristi, who excelled at code-breaking and management, dies at 94". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-01-11.

• Ann Z. Caracristi short biography on the NSA website.
• Biographical Information on the Federation of American Scientists website.