How One Spy Betrayed the US Navy to Soviet Russia | History 101

Описание: John Anthony Walker sold U.S. Navy secrets and intelligence to the Soviet Union. What started out as a means of recovering from debt, turned into a full-scale business operation; one that even included the hiring of his own son. Today, we uncover the chilling true story of the man who sold America's Navy.

🕵️ In 1955, John Anthony Walker joined the U.S. Navy. Training as a communications specialist, John's career quickly became something else as he had access to sensitive information, such as crypto systems and classified naval codes. Fast forward to 1960, and John's life is unravelling. Plagued by debt and a spiralling marriage, he needed a way out. That way out came in a shocking way; one that would change U.S. intelligence forever.

💼 In December 1967, with a briefcase full of stolen documents, John walked into the Soviet Embassy in Washington. These stolen documents included secret Navy communications, encryption manuals, and code settings. He also left a note; he wanted to become a frequent supplier of such information, in exchange for cash. The Soviets couldn't believe it, and snapped at the chance. Over the coming months, John passed on key lists, cipher cards, and naval routing instructions, all of which aided the KGB in decrypting real-time U.S. military traffic. Every piece of information gained insight into troop movements, nuclear strategy, and global operations.

🔍 After retiring from the Navy in 1976, Walker took on a civilian job as a communications specialist. He had access to sensitive systems once again. He kept in contact with active-duty personnel and maintained a network of sources who could provide classified materials. He was offered cash payments, gold coins, and even a pension agreement by the Soviets. It’s estimated that he was paid over $350,000 in total, equivalent to over a $1,000,000 in today's economy. Business was booming, so to speak. However, business needed to grow. The next decision John took would ultimately cause the most damage, as he brought his family into the fold.

💰 He recruited his older brother, Arthur Walker, a retired Navy lieutenant commander who had taken a civilian job at a defense contractor, convincing him to pass on internal memos, classified technical documents, and submarine designs. He then recruited Michael Walker, a young sailor stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, and more importantly, his own son. Michael helped access sensitive fleet movement data and communications logs. The final piece of this puzzle involved Jerry Whitworth, a fellow Navy communications expert who had served with John years earlier. Whitworth had access to cryptographic materials, critical to U.S. Navy operations in the Pacific. Once he was on board, John's spy ring now had access to secrets from both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

❌ His marriage had ended years earlier, but ex-wife Barbara Walker would still be involved in his life, but in a way that John couldn't imagine. She’d already seen mysterious cash, and secretive behavior. As Michael became more involved, Barbara grew alarmed. In 1984, she contacted the FBI. The FBI monitored his movements, and placed wiretaps. Eventually, they caught him in the act. On May 20, 1985, John Walker was arrested in rural Virginia, caught red-handed. In federal court, John Walker pleaded guilty to espionage in exchange for a reduced sentence for his son Michael.John Walker was sentenced to life in prison. His son Michael received a 25-year sentence, while Arthur and Jerry were also convicted.

History 101 is your home for cinematic history documentaries that reveal the real stories they never taught you in school. From the history of ancient empires to the Cold War’s covert operations, we bring the most gripping, shocking, and unforgettable moments in history to life.

We explore the history of war, from ancient battlefields to modern global conflicts, exposing the brutal truth behind power, politics, and survival. Dive into the history of espionage, where spies, assassins, and secret missions shaped the modern world. Discover the Cold War standoffs, intelligence agencies, and nuclear near-misses that defined an era.

But history isn’t just about war. We also uncover lost civilizations, unsolved mysteries, and forbidden truths—from forgotten revolutions to strange rituals and hidden relics. Whether it’s pharaohs and emperors, presidents and revolutionaries, or everyday people caught in extraordinary times, we tell the stories of those who made history—and those who tried to erase it.

This isn’t just history. It’s raw, revealing, and cinematic history—made for the curious, the skeptical, and the seekers of truth.

👉 Subscribe now for raw, revealing, and unforgettable history: https://bit.ly/43cZt3j

🌍 Produced by Dose of Society