Overview

THE US NAVY'S ON-THE-ROOF GANG: VOLUME I - PRELUDE TO WAR is a narrative nonfiction account of the unknown true-life story of the ""On-The-Roof Gang,"" the U.S. Navy's fledgling radio intelligence organization in the years leading up to World War II. It is based on the real life of Harry Kidder, a U.S. Navy radioman who first discovered and deciphered Japanese katakana telegraphic code while stationed in the Philippines in the 1920s, discovering the he was listening to Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) radio communications. Kidder strongly believed in the future of radio intelligence and a chance meeting with Lieutenant Laurance Safford led to the birth of the Navy's Radio Intelligence community. Kidder taught others the nascent art of intercepting IJN communications on the roof of the Main Navy Building in Washington, DC. From 1928 to 1941, 176 Sailors and Marines attended this training and were then stationed as radio intercept operators around the Pacific. These men would become known as the On-The-Roof Gang and were charged with keeping track of the IJN as they prepared for war with the United States. The circumstances of America's entry into World War II hinged on success or failure of the On-The-Roof Gang, and Harry Kidder knew this. On-the-Roof Gang: Prelude to War concludes with the ""date which will live in infamy,"" December 7, 1941. The dit-dah combinations of telegraphic code boomed through Harry Kidder's headset, and he should have been able to copy it with his eyes closed. This transmission, however, baffled him, with characters he had never heard before. He was an expert U.S. Navy radioman-one of the best in the Asiatic Fleet-and eventually his curiosity led him to discover he was listening to Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) radio communications. He didn't know it at the time, but this discovery would set in motion events that would lead to the birth of the U.S. Navy's communications intelligence community. Kidder taught others the nascent art of intercepting IJN communications on the roof of the Main Navy Building in Washington, DC, and they became known as the On-The-Roof Gang. He recognized that the circumstances of America's entry into World War II hinged on success or failure of the On-The-Roof Gang. Follow the professional and personal life of Harry Kidder-full of intrigue, war, love, and loss-as he prepared the Gang for the U.S. Navy's confrontation with the IJN. On-the-Roof Gang: Prelude to War follows Kidder and the Gang along the inexorable path toward war, concluding with the ""date which will live in infamy,"" December 7, 1941. ""The narrative sparkles ... (an) illuminating chronicle ... a compelling read."" -Kirkus Reviews, Our Verdict: Get it! ""The characters and events absolutely came alive ... A fascinating and well-told story ... engaging and totally engrossing."" -Reedsy Reviews, 5 out of 5 stars, Must Read ""I loved every ounce of this book ... The narration is vivid and descriptive ... Matt Zullo is a gifted storyteller"" -Online Book Club Reviews, 4 out of 4 stars

Full Product Details

9781735152783

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Reviews

""An eye-opening narrative filled with new information about the birth of the U.S. Navy's communications intelligence. A must-read for anyone interested in the sailors and 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 ""The real deal, steeped with nautical flair. It 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."" -JIM ""DADDY"" REEB, CWO4/CTICM, USN (ret), Naval Security Group ""Career cryptologist Matt Zullo brings critical figures to life in a meticulously researched historical novel."" -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."" -ROBERT ""CRIS"" CRISPINO, US Dept of Defense, Senior Executive Service (ret) ""A fascinating read! As a former crypto-linguist, cryptologic analyst, and instructor, this book often made me feel I was back in the saddle again."" -DOUGLAS J. WALES, MASTER SERGEANT, USMC (ret) ""Master Chief Zullo has hit a home run on the origins of Navy cryptology. This book should be required reading for all sailors, officers, and marines in the Information Warfare career path."" -BRUCE DRAKE, Captain, USN (ret), Cryptologic Officer

Author Information

Matt Zullo is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief who has more than 40 years' experience in radio intelligence, now more commonly known as communications intelligence. He was first introduced to the On-the-Roof Gang in 2001, when he was selected for the prestigious ""On-the-Roof Gang"" award for career-long excellence in the field of naval cryptology. He holds a master's degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, where he researched and wrote his master's thesis on the On-The-Roof Gang. He is one of only a handful of quantifiable experts on the subject and continues his research into this group of intelligence pioneers.

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