Howard C. Barlow (1918 – 2003) was an American cryptographer, telecommunications expert, and high-ranking civilian employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States. Barlow, a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, served in the European Theatre of World War II. One of his major assignments was the Communications Planning Officer for the invasion of Normandy in 1944. While he was overseas, he designed various types of specialized communications equipment. Barlow died in 2003.