Saturday, September 16, 2023

Recognizing the WWII Code Girls at Arlington Hall

You State Department people employees of the foreign affairs department of the Washington DC area's largest employer might already know this, but the former women's junior college known as Arlington Hall - which was seized by the U.S. Army in World War II, then passed into State Department control in the 1980s and is currently the location of the Foreign Affairs Training Center - was the place where enemy codes were broken and their military signal traffic was read during the war, making one of the greatest contributions to victory over the Axis nations. What's more, after the war code breaking continued only now directed at the Soviet Union.

Whenever I've visited FSI over the years the lack of a plaque or memorial or historical marker of any kind to recognize those codebreakers always bothered me. Well, now at least they are being recognized by the naming of a new on-site coffee shop. 

You may have seen the Department notice that went out earlier this week:
Join us as we officially dedicate our new on-site coffee shop as the Codebreaker Café in celebration of the heroic contributions of women codebreakers, as well as other notable contributions made to protect our nation, during World War II.
On the campus of the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), the Codebreaker Café provides a panoramic view of Arlington Hall, which served as the top-secret home of U.S. codebreakers during World War II. It stands as a tribute to the courageous individuals who worked in secrecy to help shorten the war, saving countless lives.

"Saving countless lives," yes. More pointedly, breaking into Axis codes saved Allied lives by enabling the destruction of Axis forces, so this wasn't exactly a peaceful enterprise. And not all the code breakers of Arlington Hall were women, but about 80 percent were, so it was predominantly a female effort.

There's a bit more local Arlington history on Arlington Hall, and a good book about the Code Girls that has a broader focus. 

Enjoy your coffee the next time you're at FSI, and spare a thought for those Rosie the Riveters who worked with pencil and paper to help win our conflicts on the battlefields of the world. 


 

15 comments:

James said...

Arlington Hall brings back memories some good some of nastygrams!

TSB said...

It's storied location, that's for sure. I recall going there when it was still an Army installation, and there was a courtroom inside a SCIF which was used for hearing espionage cases in the 1980s. All that and Venona, too. So much to commemorate!

James said...

I know this will shock you but Menendez is up again on corruption charges. One network is Menendez all the time

Personally I think he's a sacrifice to get Hunter off . He's easy to throw to the wolves. The only caveat is the Democrats need his vote.

TSB said...

Menendez didn't know when to stop, plus he had a new wife who needed bucks fast and knew some people who would pay big for a key Senator's help with a few business matters.

Here's hoping the second time will be the charm for federal prosecutors.

James said...

The whole Menendez thing is get at Trump on documents. You'll noted that front and center is " giving sensitive info to an Egyptian business man"

James said...

The "Menendez gambit" may not be working.

James said...

I got it, the stupidest political statement of the year. "Allegations are just allegations" Menendez

TSB said...

Senator M insists on staying in office because he's relying on the old 'he hasn't been convicted of anything yet, and even if he gets convicted, he hasn't exhausted all possible appeals and pardons' principle.

There is so much going on here: the timing of the indictment during an election run-up, the Biden and son corruption parallel, the desperate 'everybody just hates us Hispanics' complaint, the accusation that fed prosecutors are doing this to get revenge first for M.'s hung jury trial and then for his attempt to throw the U.S. Attorney's appointment to a friend of his Egyptian briber.

Wow! Will there be enough popcorn to get us through that trial?

James said...

There's not enough popcorn in existence!

James said...

Feinstein is dead. Is this Newsom' s chance?

TSB said...

It's his main chance. He won't get a better one to grab the gold ring.

James said...

Quite a decision for him. Does it lead to disaster or the promised land.

TSB said...

California right now IS both the disaster AND the promised land.

It's possible he could see Washington DC as an escape hatch from the chaos he's created at home.

Anonymous said...

Angie's list????????

TSB said...

As in the "roofing, remodling, and all" people? Newsom can definitely use some of that to remediate the mess he's made of his state.