Marlborough Churchill

Marlborough Churchill (August 11, 1878 – July 9, 1947) was a U.S. Army officer. Together with Herbert Yardley, he was instrumental in establishing the joint U.S. Department of State and Department of War's cryptanalytic group, called the Black Chamber.

Early life and education He was born on August 11, 1878, in Andover, Massachusetts, a son of Professor John Wesley Churchill of Andover Theological Seminary and Mary (Cooper) Churchill. Churchill graduated from Phillips Academy in 1896 and then attended Harvard University, graduating in 1900.

Military career He was commissioned in the Field Artillery Branch on 17 September 1901 with date of rank 1 July 1901. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his service during World War I.

He was discharged as brigadier general on 30 June 1920 and reverted to the rank of major. He retired from the U.S. Army for disability in the line of duty with the rank of lieutenant colonel on 16 January 1924.

Awards He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. The citation for the medal reads:

His other decorations included Order of the Bath, officer of the Legion of Honor, commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy, and commander of the Order of Leopold. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Churchill is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.