Laurance Frye Safford | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 22, 1893 Somerville, Massachusetts, US |
| Died | May 15, 1973 (aged 79) Bethesda, Maryland, US |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1916–1953 |
| Rank |  Captain |
| Commands | Assistant Director of Naval Communications for Cryptographic Research |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Legion of Merit |
Captain, U.S.N. Laurance Frye Safford (October 22, 1893 – May 15, 1973) was a U.S. Navy cryptologist. He established the Naval cryptologic organization after World War I, and headed the effort more or less constantly until shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His identification with the Naval effort was so close that he was the Friedman of the Navy.