TESTIMONIALS
An eye-opening narrative filled with new information about the birth of the US Navy’s communications intelligence. Matt Zullo’s “On-the-Roof Gang - Prelude to War” is a must-read for anyone interested in the Sailors & officers who performed radio intelligence during World War II, providing a priceless advantage to operational commanders.
Capt David E. Meadows, USN, Author of the Sixth Fleet series
BRAVO ZULU!!!! “On-the-Roof Gang – Prelude to War” should be required reading for all the Navy’s new Cryptologists. In the current world of “Cyber” warfare, it’s often prudent to stop and think about how far we have come and pay tribute to those pioneers whose dedication and perseverance in the face of numerous obstacles were instrumental in America’s successes in WWII. We should be forever grateful for the Chief Kidders of that time. Matt Zullo takes us on an enlightening adventure culminating in a deep sense of pride in being part of such an honorable community.
Penny Tardona, Force Master Chief, Naval Security Group Command, USN (Retired)
[On-the-Roof Gang – Prelude to War] is a wonderful story and tribute to the quiet, immensely creative pioneers of our US Naval Cryptologic history. I read with much admiration and sincere appreciation to these men, and women who dedicated so much of their lives to ensure the security of our Nation. They were groundbreakers that worked, in many cases, in the harshest of environments and pushed the envelope with amazing persistence and perseverance. We owe them a debt that is impossible to repay.
Personally, my father, CAPT George P. McGinnis, was an associate OTRG member and when I was an Ensign and assigned to COMNAVSECGRU (Nebraska Ave) he introduced me to Pearly Phillips while we stood in front of the OTRG Memorial. At the time I had no idea the true meaning of the OTRG, but I do remember Pearly as a genuine, true gentleman. I’m honored to say we were close family friends with CAPT Al Pelletier, Duane Whitlock, and CAPT Hal Joslin who actually assisted my brother on a High school history paper by answering several questions about his time as a POW in Guam. I had the opportunity to meet and visit with CAPT Joslin a few years back while he was living in McLean, VA. My brother had saved the letter with CAPT Joslin’s POW recollections and during my visit I read to him the letter he had sent to my brother.
I’m honored to have served with the Naval Cryptologic community whose legacy began with these trailblazing heroes.
Churchill once said “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” - An appropriate epitaph to these cryptologists.
Debra S. McGinnis Del Vecchio, CDR, USN (ret), Cryptologic Officer
Matt Zullo’s initial offering in his On-The-Roof-Gang series immediately grabs you with his extensive research and attention to detail. A little-known subject of U.S Navy history that is a must-read for WW2 buffs as well as fans of the murky world of Spies, Surveillance, and Intelligence. We will have an impatient wait for the next entry in the series!
Gare Wragg, Retired Navy Captain and currently a Certified Intelligence Collection Manager
Harry Kidder, Laurence Safford, Joe Rochefort, and Agnes Myers Driscoll are names familiar to most readers of World War Two history. In “On the Roof Gang, Prelude to War,” career cryptologist Matt Zullo brings these critical figures, and many others, to life in a meticulously researched historical novel. While the accomplishments of the On the Roof Gang during World War Two are well known, Zullo details the years of dedicated, imaginative effort it took for these remarkably talented patriots to be in the positions they were in to influence the outcome of the war. While the United States struggled through The Great Depression and political isolationism in the 1930s, Safford and his small band of sailors were quietly, but resolutely, monitoring Japanese military developments. Simultaneously, Chief Petty Officer Harry Kidder was training a cadre of cryptologists capable of intercepting and copying the difficult Japanese katakana code. Zullo details the challenges confronted by Safford as he dealt with extreme budget problems, bureaucratic inertia, and continual friction between the Director of Naval Communications and the Office of Naval Intelligence. Thankfully, Safford and his team persevered year after year with flexibility and determination producing over one hundred intercept operators and numerous code-breaking successes, otherwise, the United States would have been unable to provide the intelligence support to Nimitz, Spruance, Halsey, and Fletcher in the battles of Coral Sea and Midway. This real-life drama illustrates the wisdom of Safford in maintaining the time consuming, expensive, and demanding training program when dollars were short, and the threat seemed distant.
Lee Cardwell, Captain, USN ret
“Bravo Zulu” to Master Chief (retired) Matt Zullo for lifting out of the shadows of secrecy the critically important work by a group of extraordinary professionals in the early days of the U.S. Navy’s communications intelligence operations. In “The US Navy’s On-the-Roof Gang” Mr. Zullo not only masterfully tells the story of the people and events that forged this endeavor but also artfully explains the technology employed in a way that is understandable to the layman. The book is captivating. The author brings the reader into the lives of the members of the “On-the-Roof Gang” and their passion for the mission that, by the end of the book, one has the sad feeling of leaving the watch and shipmates behind.
Robert “Cris” Crispino, U.S. Department of Defense, Senior Executive Service (retired)
In “On-the-Roof Gang”, Matt Zullo has masterfully stitched together the first chapter of “The Bible” all America’s naval cryptologists have longed for. It is the real deal, steeped with nautical flair, and navigates the reader alongside Harry “Pappy” Kidder and others: with luck, guts, and determination, they acquire their mystical tradecraft during this pre-WWII genesis of U.S. naval cryptology. His painstaking research, exquisite detail, and captivating story-telling combine to mesmerize. Among other unraveled snarls, this book sets the record straight with station HYPO, and tautly cinches the knot around the “Gang” as being the Cradle of U.S. naval cryptology. Every American will become enthralled when reading this seminal undertaking. And best of all? There’s more to come. Bravo “Zulu” to Master Chief Petty Officer Zullo!
Daddy Reeb, CWO4/CTICM, USN (ret), 1960-1986 USN, Cryptologist (Morse Code Operator/Russian Linguist), 1987-2008 Dept. of Navy, GS-14 (Senior Research Specialist)
A rare look behind the veil of secrecy that cloaks Naval SIGINT operations. Matt Zullo’s extensive research and mastery of the subject matter offers great insight into the origins of the On the Roof Gang and gives the reader a fascinating look into the lives of these great American heroes. Although the Gang has all gone on to the realm of the Supreme Commander, Matt’s masterful storytelling ensures they will never be forgotten.
Ron “Jolly” Harris, Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Master Chief (ret), Naval Security Group
On-the-Roof Gang – Prelude to War is a fascinating read! The attention to detail and historical research that went into this was amazing. As a former crypto-linguist, cryptologic analyst, and instructor, this book often made me feel I was “back in the saddle” again. W.E.B. Griffin look out! There’s a new kid in town….and his name is Matt Zullo! Looking forward to seeing On-the-Roof Gang on the bookshelves, and also looking forward to Volume 2.
MSgt Douglas J. Wales, USMC (retired)
Master Chief Zullo has hit a home run on the origins of Navy COMINT/Cryptology. His ability to relate a story that has numerous vectors into a well-spun yarn is a tribute to the Navy's Chief Petty Officers past and present. In a sentence "It's one helluva a sea story!" This book should be required reading, in "A" school for all Sailors, Officers, and Marines in the Information Warfare (IW) career path. BZ Master Chief!
Bruce Drake, Captain, USN (ret), Cryptologic Officer