Al Pelletier graduated from On-the-Roof Gang Class #18 in November 1936 and was assigned to Station CAST Cavite, Philippine Islands as an intercept operator, traffic analyst, and cryptanalyst. In 1938, he transferred to Bainbridge Island, Washington to help commission the new station. In January 1940, he transferred to Washington, DC, where he was designated a cryptographer to work on solving the Japanese Naval Code (JN-25). He received a commission to Ensign 15 August 1943. In June 1944, he served with FRUPAC Pearl Harbor, as a cryptographer and worked in code recovery. In December 1945, he transferred to Naval Security Station, Washington.

He reported for duty at the Armed Forces Security Agency in October 1950 while the agency was still located at Arlington Hall Station in Virginia. In January 1952, he transferred to the Naval Security Group Activity, Kami Seya, Japan and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In June 1954, he was assigned to the National Security Agency. In August 1957, he transferred to London, England to serve on the staff of Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, and then promoted to Commander. In July 1960, he had instructor training, and was transferred to Naval Communications Training Center in Pensacola, Florida to serve as Training Officer. He was on the commissioning crew of the new station.

In June 1963, he transferred to Naval Communications Station, Guam, Marianas Islands to serve as executive officer. In July 1965 he was selected for promotion to captain and transferred to staff, commandant, 9th Naval District as district officer for reserve training. He retired 1 September1968 with 36 years of service.

Al Pelletier as a Chief Petty Officer, circa 1940 and later, as a Commander

Pelletier was identified at the following locations on the OP-20-G Annual Reports of Radio Intelligence Personnel:

06 Jan 1937:   En route Navy Yard Cavite, P.I.

12 Jan 1938:   Navy Yard Cavite, P.I.

09 Jan 1939:   16th Naval District

14 Feb 1940:   Navy Dept.

24 Feb 1941:   Navy Dept.

You can read more about Al Pelletier in On-the-Roof Gang, Volume 1 – Prelude to War.

Additionally, the NCVA published a Special Publication in Spring 2003, entitled “The Pelletier Story.”

Al Pelletier’s obituary was published in the NCVA’s Cryptolog magazine, Volume 20

ALBERT J. PELLETIER, JR. FORMER NCVA PRESIDENT

Captain Albert J. Pelletier, Jr. USN, (retired), died Sunday, 9 May 1999 in Pensacola, Florida. Captain Pelletier was born in Superior, Wisconsin and had resided in Pace, Florida since 1968. He was trained in Japanese Morse intercept "On-the-Roof."

He was an early member of Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, hosted a national reunion, and was a President of the Association.

After graduation from High School, he enlisted in the Navy on 9 March 1932 and went to basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois.

He attended Radio Operators school in San Diego, California. He was Chen ordered to USS PENNSYLVANIA (BB-38) for duty with the Flag of CINCUS. He was advanced to RM3 15 August 1934. He transferred to Flag Compliment USS NEW MEXICO (BB-40), and then to USS NEW YORK, and then back to USS PENNSYLVANIA. In August 1935, he was advanced to RM2.

In 1936 he shipped over for embassy duty. After TAD in USS DAYTON (DD-128) embassy duty was changed to duty with OP-20G for training as an intercept operator in Japanese Morse code. Thus, he was a member of the revered and pioneering "On-the-Roof' gang.

In December 1936 he was assigned to Station CAST Cavite, Philippine Islands as an intercept operator and traffic analyst, plus some cryptographic duties. He advanced to RM1 in Cavite 15 August 1939. In November 1938, he transferred to Bainbridge Island, Washington to commission the new station.

January  1940 found Captain Pelletier transferred to Navy Department with OP-20-QZ, where he was designated a cryptographer to work on solving the Japanese Naval Code (JN25).

He was advanced to Chief Yeoman 16 December 1942,then to Ensign 15 August 1943.

In June 1944, he served with FRUPAC, (Fleet Radio Unit Pacific) Pearl Harbor, as a cryptographer and worked in code recovery. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) in November 1944. In December 1945 he was transferred to Naval Security Station, Washington. In January 1919 Captain Pelletier was under instruction at George Washington University. He was promoted to Licutcnant20 October 1949.

He reported for duty at the Armed Forces Security Agency in October 1950 while the agency was still located at Arlington Hall Station in Virginia. In January 1952, he transferred to the Naval Security Group Activity, Kami Seya, Japan and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. In June 1954, he was assigned to the National Security Agency. In August 1957. he was transferred to London, England to serve on the staff of Commander in Chief, U. S. Naval Forces Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, and then promoted to Commander.

In July 1960, he had instructor training, and was transferred to Naval Communications Training Center in Pensacola, Florida to serve as Training Officer. He was on the commissioning crew of the new station.

In June 1963, he was transferred to Naval Communications Station, Guam, Marianas Islands to serve as executive officer. In July 1965 he was selected for promotion to captain and transferred to staff, commandant, 9th Naval District as district officer for reserve training. He retired 1 September1968 with 36 years of service.

A funeral mass was held in Milton, Florida and he was buried with military honors in Barrancas National Cemetery. He is survived by his wife Fay, his son A.J. "Spike" Pelletier III, three daughters, Peggy, Ruth, and Sally. He had 12 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was also a member of the NCVA Radio Amateur Network "FRUPAC."

His obituary was also published in the Pensacola News Journal (Pensacola, Florida), 11 May 1999

Pertinent data:

Born: 29 January 1914

Location: Superior, Wisconsin

Died: 9 May 1999

Location: Milton, Florida

Internment Location: Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida