The Secret Dayton Project that Broke the Enigma Code

Joseph Desch '29, 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award
Joseph Desch's groundbreaking work in Dayton played a critical role in the successful conclusion of World War II. The project was so secret that we are only now learning the details.

Joseph Desch was an electrical engineer and inventor, and a 1929 University of Dayton graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering. During World War II, he was Research Director of the project to design and manufacture the US Navy version of the bombe, a cryptanalytic machine designed to read communications enciphered by the German Enigma.

In a secret ceremony in 1947, Desch received the Medal for Merit from President Truman. Joseph Desch died in 1987 at the age of 80. It was only then that his daughter began learning more about her father’s secret work.

This video was produced for the 2017 University of Dayton Alumni Awards ceremony, where Joseph Desch was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award.