NSA/CSS - National Security Agency - Central Security Service
01/23/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2026 21:41
NSA mourns the loss of former Deputy Director Barbara McNamara
Barbara McNamara, who served as NSA deputy director from 1997 to 2000 as part of a long and distinguished career at the Agency, passed away Saturday at age 83.
McNamara arrived at NSA as a Chinese linguist in 1963 during the height of the Cold War. Over her 40-year career, she rose to key positions where she helped improve NSA's relationships with the U.S. Intelligence Community and foreign partners, and helped shape an operational component at the Agency.
"The passing of Barbara McNamara is a profound loss for the NSA and the Intelligence Community," said NSA Deputy Director Tim Kosiba. "She was a remarkable leader and a true inspiration, paving the way for so many at NSA as the first woman to lead our Directorate of Operations in 1995. Her service as deputy director from 1997 to 2000, including her time as Acting Director in 1999, was defined by both strategic vision and a genuine care for the people she led."
Other positions McNamara held included NSA/CSS representative to the Department of Defense (1993-1994), NSA executive director (1994-1995), and deputy director of Operations (DDO) (1995-1997).
In 1997, NSA Director Kenneth Minihan selected McNamara to be NSA's deputy director. Then in 2000, she became the first woman to serve as the Special U.S. Liaison Officer, London.
McNamara - who was known throughout the Agency by her initials, "BAM" -had a reputation for being "strong-willed." This reflected her strong focus on the mission and on the jobs at hand.
In an interview, McNamara advised those just starting out at the Agency, "Work hard. Try and be personable. Try and be approachable. And things will happen."
Awards McNamara received during her career included NSA's Meritorious Service Award (1988), the Exceptional Civilian Service Award (1994), the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award (1995), and the Presidential Rank Award (1999). She was inducted into the Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2020.
McNamara arrived at NSA as a Chinese linguist in 1963 during the height of the Cold War. Over her 40-year career, she rose to key positions where she helped improve NSA's relationships with the U.S. Intelligence Community and foreign partners, and helped shape an operational component at the Agency.
"The passing of Barbara McNamara is a profound loss for the NSA and the Intelligence Community," said NSA Deputy Director Tim Kosiba. "She was a remarkable leader and a true inspiration, paving the way for so many at NSA as the first woman to lead our Directorate of Operations in 1995. Her service as deputy director from 1997 to 2000, including her time as Acting Director in 1999, was defined by both strategic vision and a genuine care for the people she led."
Other positions McNamara held included NSA/CSS representative to the Department of Defense (1993-1994), NSA executive director (1994-1995), and deputy director of Operations (DDO) (1995-1997).
In 1997, NSA Director Kenneth Minihan selected McNamara to be NSA's deputy director. Then in 2000, she became the first woman to serve as the Special U.S. Liaison Officer, London.
McNamara - who was known throughout the Agency by her initials, "BAM" -had a reputation for being "strong-willed." This reflected her strong focus on the mission and on the jobs at hand.
In an interview, McNamara advised those just starting out at the Agency, "Work hard. Try and be personable. Try and be approachable. And things will happen."
Awards McNamara received during her career included NSA's Meritorious Service Award (1988), the Exceptional Civilian Service Award (1994), the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award (1995), and the Presidential Rank Award (1999). She was inducted into the Cryptologic Hall of Honor in 2020.
NSA/CSS - National Security Agency - Central Security Service published this content on January 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 24, 2026 at 03:41 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]