The armistice ending active combat in the Korean War was signed on July 27, 1953, halting a brutal three-year conflict that claimed over 3 million lives—including 33,000 American soldiers. Though it brought a ceasefire to the Korean peninsula, the war itself technically remains unresolved to this day.
While we honor the service and sacrifice of those who fought, this anniversary also brings to light a chilling espionage story buried closer to home—literally.
In Alexandria’s Presbyterian Cemetery lies William Weisband, a former U.S. Army Signal Corps officer who became one of the most damaging Soviet spies in American history.
Operating under the codename “Zhora,” Weisband revealed in 1948 that the United States had secretly cracked Soviet encrypted communications via the Venona Project. After his disclosure, the Soviets abruptly changed their encryption systems—cutting off America’s window into Soviet military strategy.
This intelligence blackout left U.S. and allied forces dangerously unprepared when North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. Many historians directly connect Weisband’s betrayal to the surprise and success of that initial assault.
Despite the magnitude of his actions, Weisband was never prosecuted for espionage. He served a brief sentence for contempt of court and died of a heart attack in 1967. In an ironic twist, his military gravestone was paid for by the very government he betrayed.
👉 Read more about William Weisband and the espionage that shaped the Korean War »