May 29, Fort Meade, MD - Today, GEN Keith B. Alexander, USA, Director, National Security Agency/Chief, Central Security Service, paid special tribute to SGT Andrew J. Creighton, USA; SSG Michael W. Hosey, USA; SGT Christopher L. Muniz, USA, at a memorial ceremony held here. These service members gave their lives, "serving in silence," in the line of duty. The service was attended by family, friends, and distinguished guests.
SGT Creighton, a cryptologic linguist, was assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), when he died in Afghanistan on July 1, 2010. He was operating as a member of a Special Operations Team Alpha (SOT-A) (voice intercept team) supporting U.S. Special Forces and Afghan Commando Forces. While on a high-priority mission, SGT Creighton's unit's location was compromised by insurgents. During an exfiltration maneuver, the unit attempted to cross a river, and SGT Creighton and another Soldier were swept off their feet by the current. Both men struggled against raging waters, but only one made it to the river bank. SGT Creighton would be found days later on the 4th of July. He died performing his cryptologic mission under imminent hostile fire while supporting his comrades.
SSG Hosey was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), as a cryptologic linguist. He was killed in action on September 17, 2011 while serving as a member of a Special Forces Operations Team Alpha (SOT-A) (voice intercept team) in Afghanistan. During the operation, his detachment was struck by small arms fire. Without regard for his safety, SSG Hosey left the safety of his vehicle to help his fellow Soldiers and received a fatal gunshot.
SGT Muniz, a signals intelligence analyst assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, was killed in action in Afghanistan on December 11, 2011. SGT Muniz was attached to the 2-35 Infantry Battalion as a voice intercept operator having provided critical signals intelligence support to over 60 combat missions. When returning from the mission, SGT Muniz was killed when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED).
The ceremony included a traditional wreath laying and the unveiling of all three Soldiers' names on the NSA/CSS Cryptologic Memorial Wall. The wall, dedicated in 1996, now lists the names of 169 Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and civilian cryptologists who have made the ultimate sacrifice, "serving in silence," in the performance of their duties since World War II.
Additional information on the Memorial Wall and a special historical monograph highlighting Hosey's, Muniz's, and Creighton's lives, service, and sacrifice can be viewed via the NSA/CSS web site at the National Cryptologic Memorial web page.
NOTE: Media outlets interested in receiving photographs from the ceremony or additional information should contact the NSA Public and Media Affairs Office via phone at 301-688-6524 or via email at nsapao@nsa.gov.