Sounding the Alarm on Cuba
As head of the NSA’s Cuba desk during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Juanita Moody uncovered alarming intelligence. Her team intercepted Soviet communications revealing military shipments and suspicious activities in Cuba. In early 1962, she urged her superiors to distribute a detailed report on the buildup, warning it was far from defensive.
Pivotal Role During the Crisis
When U.S. reconnaissance flights confirmed nuclear missile sites in Cuba, Moody’s team monitored Soviet ships, submarines, and radar systems. Her coordination of real-time intelligence ensured President Kennedy and military leaders had up-to-the-minute information, including Soviet ships turning back from the U.S. naval blockade.
Direct Action to Prevent Disaster
In a critical moment, Moody bypassed bureaucracy, calling U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson directly to inform him of key intelligence. Her bold action ensured leaders had the insights needed to prevent miscalculations during the tense standoff.
Averting Catastrophe
Moody’s relentless efforts to track Soviet movements and share intelligence helped prevent a nuclear war. Her work during those critical 13 days in October 1962 exemplified the life-saving importance of intelligence in global crises.
In 1962, NSA codebreaker Juanita Moody led the effort to uncover Soviet military activities in Cuba. Her team intercepted communications revealing secret shipments of weapons and personnel. She compiled a report warning of an imminent threat, which reached President Kennedy. pic.twitter.com/ach5kFevIJ
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) November 27, 2024