Ann Z. Caracristi

Ann Zeilinger Caracristi (February 1, 1921 – January 10, 2016) was an American cryptanalyst, former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency, where she served at various positions over a 40-year career. She served as a member of the Secretary of Defense Joint Security Commission and President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board. She became the first woman at NSA to be promoted to GS-18 rank, in 1975.

She was born in Bronxville, New York. She lived most of her adult life in a one-bedroom cottage in Georgetown, and her hobbies included birds and collecting pewter.

In 2002, her name was given to a Naval Intelligence Professionals' award. Caracristi died January 10, 2016, in Washington at the age of 94. She had dementia in her later years.

• 1980 - Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.