TAPS: Barry Leven

TAPS: Barry Leven


09 February 2018, Mr. Barry K. Leven, passed away from complications of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had been suffering from the disease for several years but was alert and active, passing suddenly the evening of 09 February.  Barry was a major player in the development of Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT) at the Navy Scientific and Technical Intelligence Center  in the 70s and early 80s then was sent out to CIA by Navy to make sure they worked on National Estimates that they understood. and correctly assessed the Acoustic Threats and advantages.  

His distinguished career began as the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) began hiring civilian experts in a wide
range of fields to diversify its technical expertise. The development of the
Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) and the establishment of a dedicated acoustic
intelligence facility added important new capabilities to U.S. Navy efforts to
deter the threat posed by Soviet submarines armed with strategic nuclear
missiles. (NAVST) was established in 1968 and merged with the Navy Reconnaissance and Technical Support Center (NRTSC) in 1972.

In the 1980s the synergistic efforts of the Navy’s operational and scientific and technical intelligence organizations
led to an era of major analytic success against the  Soviet Navy.
 
During the Cold War, Barry's mastery of operational intelligence,
deep technical knowledge and leadership in the Navy’s global Ocean
Surveillance Information system (OSIS) ensured the U.S. Navy held a consistent
advantage over the Soviet Navy.

Contemporaries ADM Bill Studeman and Rich Haver noted that Barry was "a wonderful professional in days that were simpler, less noisy and seemingly not so politically tortured and exposed."

The IC, numerous colleagues, friends and family mourn his loss.  Memorial and interment details were incomplete at press time, but will be posted as soon as available.