GAROFALO-ARCHIE
ARCHIE RUSSELL GAROFALO
CT3
DIED DURING SERIOUS LOSS OF NSG PERSONNEL
The Naval Security Group was an organization tasked with intelligence gathering and denial of intelligence to adversaries. A large part of the organization’s work was signals intelligence gathering, cryptology and information assurance.
September 23, 1965, was a typical day for the men and women stationed at the Naval Security Group Activity, Kamiseya, Japan. The weather had been a comfortable 75 degrees with bright sunshine and sunset occurred at 1743 as personnel began reporting for the mid-watch duty. Records reveal that over 110 personnel reported for the mid-watch that evening, entering the operations complex through Building 25, a two-story wooden building at the front of “the tunnel” where the actual work was performed.
In the early hours of the 24th, a fire broke out in Building 25 and thick black smoke began filtering into both floors and also tragically entered the air conditioning system of the operations area. The cause of the fire has never been established. Some blamed faulty wiring and others attributed the fire to an overheated incinerator. As fire began to consume Building 25 a serious and life threatening situation developed. Although the command was informed of the fire it was not until almost an hour after the fire had started that orders were given to evacuate the area and Building 25 was engulfed in flames.
Fire units finally arrived, and the blaze was brought under control but not before twenty-five men had to be carried out of the building and fourteen were eventually hospitalized. Most tragically, twelve members of the watch perished that night in the conflagration. Unfortunately, Cryptologic Technician Third Class Archie Russell Garofalo was one of the fatalities. Review of readily available historical records revealed no information concerning him in addition to the details of his death.
Military service is demanding and can be fraught with peril both on and off the battlefield. CT3 Garofalo’s death is the loss of a member of the cryptologic service who gave his life during the Cold War.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)