Prescott Currier

Prescott Currier
Born(1912-06-04)June 4, 1912
United States
DiedJanuary 12, 1995(1995-01-12) (aged 82)
United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Navy
Years of service1929–1962
Battles / wars
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Alma materUnited States Military Academy

Prescott Hunt Currier (June 4, 1912 – January 12, 1995) was an American Naval officer and amateur cryptographer.

Biography

He was born in Holbrook, Massachusetts on June 4, 1912.[1]

He died on January 12, 1995, at his home in Damariscotta, Maine.[1]

Career

Between 1948 and 1950, he was Director of Investigations in the "Naval Security Group" (NAVSECGRU). During World War II, he served in the Philippines and Japan.[1]

In January 1941, Currier and Lieutenant Robert B. Weeks and Army representative Abraham Sinkov and Leo Rosen delivered American-built cryptographic devices to England. This included two copies of the PURPLE machine. In reciprocity they were supplied by the British with some information about the German ENIGMA system, and were provided modern direction finding equipment.[1] He played a major role in the Cryptanalysis of the Enigma.

He also made several attempts to decipher the Voynich manuscript, but he was largely unsuccessful.[2]

References