In the annals of World War II history, there are countless stories of bravery and sacrifice. Among these, the tale of Julia Parsons stands out as a testament to the crucial role women played in the war effort, particularly in the realm of codebreaking. Today, at the remarkable age of 103, Julia Parsons is the last surviving codebreaker of World War II, and her story is one of patriotism, secrecy, and groundbreaking work that helped turn the tide of the war.
Joining the U.S. Navy WAVES
Born on March 2, 1921, Julia Parsons was a young woman when the United States entered World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Like many of her generation, she felt a strong sense of patriotic duty. “Everybody was so patriotic in those days,” Julia recalls. “It was just almost automatic. Everybody did something.”
In 1942, after graduating from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) with a degree in General Studies, Julia read a newspaper article about the Navy accepting women as commissioned officers for the first time. This led her to join the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
The Secret World of Codebreaking
Julia’s path to becoming a codebreaker was almost serendipitous. While waiting for her assignment, she raised her hand when asked if anyone knew German, having studied it for two years in high school. This simple act led her to the German section, where she would engage in some of the most critical and secretive work of the war.
“We decoded the Enigma machine. That was our job,” Julia explains. “It was fascinating work, and I never dreamed that I would get anything so complicated as the Enigma.”
The Enigma machine was a complex German invention used to encode messages. It used a series of rotors and letters, making it seemingly unbreakable. The Germans were confident that even if the Allies had the machine, they couldn’t possibly crack the code. However, they were unaware that the Allies had indeed acquired an Enigma machine and were working tirelessly to decipher their messages.
The Challenge of Codebreaking
Julia and her fellow WAVES faced the daunting task of decoding these encrypted messages. “We had to guess which messages were important and which ones were more breakable,” she recalls. Their work involved a mix of educated guesswork, pattern recognition, and sheer persistence.
The information they uncovered was vital to the war effort. It included details about submarine meeting points, mission destinations, weather conditions, and even personal messages about family events. This intelligence played a crucial role in the Allies’ strategy, particularly in combating the German U-boat threat in the Atlantic.
The Burden of Secrecy
One of the most challenging aspects of Julia’s work was the strict secrecy surrounding it. The codebreakers were sworn to absolute confidentiality, unable to share their experiences with anyone, not even their closest family members.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t trust him,” Julia says, referring to her husband, “but he was due to go overseas, and I thought if he doesn’t know about it, he won’t be tempted to confess.” This secrecy was so well maintained that it was later dubbed “the best-kept secret the Navy ever had.”
Life After the War
When the war ended, Julia, like many others, found it difficult to adjust to civilian life. The transition from such vital, secretive work to everyday routines was challenging. “I remember saying to the girls, ‘You know, we just worked ourselves out of a job,'” she recalls. “Oh, I missed it terribly. It was so nice to be part of something that nobody knew anything about.”
For nearly 50 years, Julia kept her wartime work secret, as the project wasn’t declassified until the 1970s. Today, she is rightfully celebrated for her invaluable contributions to the war effort. Her story serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the crucial role women played in World War II.
Quick Facts about Julia Parsons
Born: March 2, 1921, Forest Hills, Pennsylvania
Branch of Service: U.S. Navy – WAVES
Spouse: Don Parsons
Education: Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). Graduated 1942, degree in General Studies.
- Joined the U.S. Navy WAVES in 1942.
- Worked in the German section of the Naval Communications Annex in Washington, D.C., specifically in the Shark Division.
- Part of the team that decoded messages sent using the German Enigma machine.
- Kept her wartime work secret for nearly 50 years until the project was declassified.
- Considered the last surviving codebreaker of World War II.