The "On-The-Roof" Gang
A total of 176 (150 Navy and 26 Marines) enlisted radio operators were specially trained at a unique school located on the roof of the old Navy Department Building during 1928-1941. Known as the "On-The-Roof" Gang (OTRG), they were trained to intercept and analyze foreign radio communications. This group of dedicated and skilled operators formed the vanguard of the U.S. Naval Communications Intelligence efforts and laid the cornerstone of Naval Cryptology. Of the original number of 176, there are now a total of 9 known survivors.
October 1, 1928 - The first class at school for enlisted Navy and Marine Corps radio intercept operators (The "On-the-Roof-Gang") is held.
The OTRG Association was dissolved in September 1992 and the administration of OTRG affairs is now being handled by the NCVA.
Known Survivors of the "OTRG" Last Name First Name Class # Year Graduated Amateur Radio
Call SignALBERTSON Maynard 25 1940 CAPRON JR James 24 1940 N4ITJ HAROLD Douglas 21 1938 JOSLIN Harold 23 1939 LAYMAN Harold 23 1939 SIMMONS Warren 21 1938 W6MI SMITH Martin 23 1939 WHITTEN Rodney 16 1935 W4BI YOUNG William 19 1937
Last Modified: Monday, 14-Jan-2008 07:13:52 EST