Harry L. Rashbaum significantly enhanced the role of language analysis at NSA, improving the quality of language work and increasing the understanding of both practitioners and the Agency’s leadership about the work. As a working linguist himself, he displayed high standards and enabled the use of new technology in what was in his day considered an old-fashioned craft.
He began his career as a Vietnamese linguist in the Army Security Agency and rose to become the senior Vietnamese linguist at NSA. After the Vietnam War ended, he cross-trained in Arabic, and became expert in it. He was deeply committed to accurate translation, and worked with those in the field to refine definitions for Vietnamese terminology that could not be found in existing references. He then issued a newsletter to the field to provide the latest findings on vocabulary and military word usage.
Rashbaum harnessed the technology of his day to improve language analysis. He developed a cassette-tape series for individual language instruction, and harnessed recording technology to enable language analysts to dictate translations. His concentration on vocabulary led him to develop innovations like RICEBOWL, an on-line Vietnamese dictionary. This proved so effective in improving language work and translation speed that it was soon applied to Spanish and Arabic.
Rashbaum demanded the highest standards for linguists, and for greater understanding of the role of linguists by those who supervised them. He took every opportunity to remind NSA leadership about the roles and needs in the language field. His advocacy was an important factor in increasing the promotion possibilities for linguists and for incentives to maintain/increase language proficiency, critical tools in recruiting and retaining the best minds in the field.
Rashbaum was also influential in the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Program. He was an early advocate of a Holocaust memorial observance, and chaired the committee that planned the first official NSA program. He was one of the founders of the Crypto-Linguistic Association, the Agency’s professional society for language workers. Its most prestigious annual service award is named in his honor. Harry Rashbaum’s accomplishments made NSA a world leader in language work, and his efforts still are felt today.
Harry L. Rashbaum was inducted into NSA's Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2023. The Cryptologic Hall of Honor was created in 1999 to pay special tribute to the pioneers and heroes who rendered distinguished service to American cryptology.