LCDR Kenneth Earl “Mike” Carmichael, USN
November 11, 1913 – April 9, 1991
Kenneth Earl “Mike” Carmichael enlisted in the United States Navy in December 1932. Following basic training, he attended radio school and was designated a Radioman. During an impressive rise in the enlisted ranks from Seaman to Chief radioman in 1942, he served aboard the USS PENSACOLA; attended Naval security Group training in Washington, D.C. as a member of the “on The roof Gang” class seventeen; served with the 16th Naval District in Cavite, Philippines; the 4th U.S. Marines in Shanghai, China; and the 14th Naval district, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was commissioned an Ensign in January 1944.
His assignments as an Intelligence/Cryptologic Officer included two tours at the Communication Training Center, Bainbridge Island, Washington (Mar 43-Mar 44/Mar 46-Aug 49); Guam; the 14th Naval district, Honolulu Hawaii; Officer-in-Charge of the Communications Technicians “A” School, first in San Diego and then at Imperial Beach, California; Naval Communications Facility, Port Lyautey, Morocco; National Security Agency (NSA), Washington, D.C.; NSA Europe; and Executive Officer at the Communication Training Center, Imperial Beach, California. During his tour at Imperial Beach from 1957 to 1960, LCDR Carmichael, along with Naval Security Group members and Bureau of Naval Personnel representatives, made the first visit to Naval Air Station, Corry Field, Florida for survey as a possible Naval security Group School site. He subsequently drafted the initial plans for the establishment of what is now Information Warfare Training Command, Corry Station, Pensacola. He retired in March, 1960 with over 28 years of faithful and dedicated naval service.
His decoration included the World War II victory Medal; American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp); Naval Defense Service Medal; China Service; American Theatre; Asiatic-Pacific (four states); good Conduct Medal (2 awards); and Navy Unit commendation.
LCDR Kenneth Earl “Mike” Carmichael, USN, (Ret) was a member of the small pioneering cadre of cryptologists who contributed to our early victors in the Pacific during World War II. He was equally noted for his long term impact and pervasive influence on the development of naval cryptologic training. His initiative and significant contributions greatly enhanced training and increased operation readiness for thousands of cryptologists.
On January 13, 1993, building 3744 on Corry Station was dedicated “Carmichael Hall” to honor LCDR Kenneth Earl “Mike” Carmichael. Carmichael Hall is used to train Navy Cryptologic Technicians as well as other military services in basic and advanced communication signals and computer theory.
Source: Building 3744 Dedication Program, January 13, 1993.
Station HYPO 
12 November 2021 at 04:21
I was at Corey field before it opened for school. Worked on everything to get it opened
up. I started school in the first class at Corey.
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12 November 2021 at 12:23
I was stationed at Corry from September, 1960 to completion of “R” school in 1961. I was a SA and worked under Capt. R. Fabian, Capt. Pelletier, CTCRS Nordt, CTCR Green, Sgts Fisher & Zerbato, PA3 Compton, SKSA DelMonte, CPL Mancuso, and a number of others this mind can’t fill in, but let me think about it! I was ship’s company at the time awaiting “R” school at Imperial Beach, CA but the chiefs said we’ll change your orders. I was part of the start up crew, scratched every weed out of every crack in the sidewalks with a pointed blade shovel, filled a dumpster with sand several times to drop in a sink hole in the runway trying to fill it up, got up on the windsock out on the runway and scavanged light bulbs for the MAT Shop, walked the base in the dark on mid-watch because we didn’t have flashlights, We saluted Capt. Fabian once in the morning as he was “hands on” an kept EN1 Nichols busy emptying the back of his car with trash the Capt.picked up throughout the day. I drove a towmotor moving electronic gear from the hangers, i wired and assembled brand new Teletypes following a color coded schematic (seven boxes). There were only a handfull of SAs (boots) and a lot of Indians (Chiefs). When I look back, I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
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14 November 2021 at 19:24
A very very good history lesson.
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