Noel Gayler

Noel Arthur Meredyth Gayler (pronounced /ˈɡaɪlər/ gy-lər; December 25, 1914 – July 14, 2011) was an Admiral in the United States Navy, who served as the sixth Director of the National Security Agency from 1969 to 1972, and ninth Commander of Pacific Command from 1972 to 1976. Gayler was awarded three Navy Cross medals as a World War II flying ace and is credited with five aerial victories while flying for VF-2 and VF-3. Gayler was an ardent advocate for nuclear disarmament. Gayler was born in Birmingham, Alabama, entered the United States Naval Academy on June 6, 1931, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 6, 1935. His first assignment was as an Engineering Officer on the battleship Maryland, then the destroyer Maury,...