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Pinewood honors WWII code breaker with sculpture

Published Tuesday, February 02, 2010 12:17 PM

By Stefan Rogenmoser
Summerville Journal Scene ®

Pinewood Preparatory School honored World War II code breaker Frances S. Suddeth Josephson, of Summerville, with a sculpture unveiling and a tribute concert by the Summerville Community Orchestra on Jan. 24.

The sculpture of Josephson, made by Kris Parmele, was unveiled at the school’s Liberty Garden before a crowd of more than 50 people, including a number of military personnel in uniform. The garden was named after Josephson in January 2008 after she passed away in 2007.

Josephson never told anyone she was a code breaker, not even her son, Jed Suddeth, who was at the ceremony, along with his daughter-in-law Jessica Suddeth and grandchildren James H. Suddeth IV, Cokey Suddeth and Adelaide Suddeth.

Researchers eventually got the word out about code breakers. Josephson’s team broke the Japanese code that enabled the U.S. to find and shoot down the plane carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who planned the Pearl Harbor attack. His death had a huge symbolic significance for U.S. troops. Josephson was not recognized for her secret work until the information became declassified in the 1990s.

Suddeth, a Pinewood alumnus, said Parmele did a spectacular job in capturing the sparkle of his mother’s eyes with only one photograph of her in her 20s.

“Mom would have been very pleased,” he said. Suddeth said the three things she would have wanted to teach Pinewood students are: (1) freedom and liberty are not free, (2) duty to country and (3) resolve and determination.

“Without our freedom our system could not function,” Suddeth said. His mother advised to speak softy and carry a big stick, he added. “She was very soft-spoken. You could hardly hear her sometimes.”

When Josephson was called on by her country, she asked no questions and went straight to breaking codes, Suddeth said. “If she were here today she’d say keep on spying and shut your mouth.

“Mom, may you inspire Pinewood students for years to come. Thank you.”

Pinewood Head of Advancement Quince Cody and Headmaster Glyn Cowlishaw also spoke. The scuplture was unveiled just before the skies opened up to unleash heavy rain. The crowd entered Freedom Hall, watched a documentary on Josephson’s life and listened to the Summerville Community Orchestra concert.

Pinewood teacher Amy Hudock made the documentary with help from students. “We surround our students with silent reminders of people who have fought for freedom,” she said in Freedom Hall.

Hudock said Josephson shows what a woman could be. “Imperfect heroes can make perfect moments. The rest of the world cannot always be like the people it honors. Ideals can be manifested into reality. The reality we make is ultimately up to us.”

The orchestra played the James Bond theme song, followed by lively versions of “For Your Eyes Only,” “Live and Let Die,” and “Goldfinger.” They also played an armed forces salute medley and Brahms Hungarian Dances. Conductor Alexander Agrest played violin during a song by French composer Massenet.

“When music is played it awakens something special in your mind,” Agrest said.

The set ended with Earl Mays swing version of “Golden Memories,” which turned into a medley that included “Rock Around the Clock” and “I Want To Hold Your Hand.”

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