While Turing's connection to the war as a scientist may not be a completely new subject (see: Feyman and Einstein), it certainly is a unique one. While our previous scientists have had some significant roles in the development of wartime technology, Turing's work with the Enigma and deciphering code was directly related to the Allies chance at winning the war. The importance of this is that, situationally, we can look at what virtues were beneficial to Turing as a scientist involved in war. The first virtue that comes to mind after reading these chapters is Turing's patience and perseverance. With the German's altering the Enigma several times during the war, it took incredible perseverance to continue the work when all previous work was rendered useless. Turing also collaborated often, including his work at Hut 8 with others, accepting ideas for his Bombe, and serving as a liaison to America. Turing's focus on the subject at hand was also intense, shown by a comment from an associate at Bell Labs about how Turing could not even give his mind time to give the conventional "hello!" in the lab hallways. Turing's restlessness also helped. In times when the capture of a German U-boat was necessary for the cipher work at Hut 8 to continue, Turing did not remain idle. Instead, he continued to find ways to exploit the full potential of the existing Bombes. All of these qualities were both beneficial and necessary for Turing to succeed as a scientist at this time.
At first, I though it would be impossible to speak of Turing without mentioning the impact of his sexuality. Yet, Hodges only mentions Turing's sexuality a few times during the chapters on the World War. When Hodges does mention this, it seems to be disconnected from Turing's professional work. Turing may have been a gay, atheist scientist. In the end, though, only the latter part of that title really matters in a discussion of his scientific virtues.
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