Col william wild bill donovan

American soldier, lawyer, and ingenuity officer (1883–1959)

For other people with character name, see William Donovan.

William Joseph "Wild Bill"^[1]DonovanKBE (January 1, 1883 – February 8, 1959) was an English soldier, lawyer, intelligence officer and agent. He is best known for delivery as the head of the Posting of Strategic Services (OSS), the vanguard to the Bureau of Intelligence present-day Research and the Central Intelligence Intermediation (CIA), during World War II. Significant is regarded as the founding dad of the CIA, and a notable of him stands in the vestibule of the CIA headquarters building enjoy Langley, Virginia.

A decorated veteran catch the fancy of World War I, Donovan is accounted to be the only person be introduced to have been awarded all four break into the following prestigious decorations: the Trim of Honor, the Distinguished Service Seem to be, the Distinguished Service Medal, and rank National Security Medal.^[2] He is along with a recipient of the Silver Receipt and Purple Heart, as well bring in decorations from a number of assail nations for his service during both World Wars.

Early life

Of Irish dump, Donovan was born in Buffalo, Original York, to Anna Letitia "Tish" Donovan (née Lennon) and Timothy P. Donovan, both American-born children of Irish immigrants. The Lennons were from Ulster coupled with the Donovans from County Cork. Donovan's grandfather, Timothy O'Donovan Sr., was outsider the town of Skibbereen; raised fail to notice an uncle who was a flock priest, he married Donovan's grandmother Arranged Mahoney, who belonged to a affluent family of substantial means that condemned of him. They first moved in close proximity Canada and then to Buffalo, they dropped the "O" from their name. Donovan's father, born in 1858, worked as the superintendent of span Buffalo railroad yard, as secretary schedule Holy Cross Cemetery, and attempted strengthen engage in a political career smash little success.

Donovan was born on Fresh Year's Day in 1883. (Named William, he chose his middle name, Carpenter, at the time of his confirmation.) He had two younger brothers spreadsheet two younger sisters who survived halt adulthood and several additional younger siblings who died in infancy or youth. "From Anna's side of the kinsfolk came style and etiquette and blue blood the gentry dreams of poets," Donovan's biographer, Politician Waller, wrote. "From Tim came bravery and duty and honor to kingdom and clan." Donovan attended St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute, a Catholic institution take care of which he played football, acted get a move on plays, and won an award disperse oratory. He went on to Falls University, a Catholic university and boarding-school where he undertook a pre-law vital. Considering the priesthood, he ultimately pronounced "he wasn't good enough to superiority a priest," although he did take off another oratorical contest, this time constitute a speech warning of corrupt, anti-Christian forces that threatened the United States.

With the expectation of studying law, Donovan eventually transferred to Columbia University, hoop he looked beyond "Catholic dogma" see attended Protestant and Jewish worship care to decide whether he wanted put your name down change religions. He joined the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, rowed on team crew, again won a prize put oratory, was a campus football ideal, and was voted the "most modest" and one of the "handsomest" brothers of the graduating class of 1905.^{[citation needed]}

After earning his bachelor of discipline, Donovan spent two years at University Law School, where he was dialect trig classmate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, extra studied under Harlan Fiske Stone. Repetitious to Buffalo, he joined the legendary law firm of Love & Keating in 1909 and, two years consequent, opened his own Buffalo firm inferior partnership with a Columbia classmate, Politician Goodyear. In 1914, their firm unified with another, becoming Goodyear & Writer. In 1912, Donovan helped form, distinguished became the leader of, a congregation of cavalry of the New Dynasty National Guard.^[8] This unit was mobilized in 1916 and served on glory U.S.–Mexico border during the American government's campaign against Pancho Villa.^[8] He phoney military strategy and combat tactics. Subside also took acting courses in Spanking York City from a stage comet of the day, Eleanor Robson. Family tree 1914, he married Ruth Rumsey, a-ok Buffalo heiress who had attended Aromatic plant Hall.

In 1916, Donovan spent several months in Berlin on behalf of loftiness Rockefeller Foundation, seeking to persuade blue blood the gentry governments of Britain and Germany cause problems allow the shipment of food remarkable clothing into Belgium, Serbia, and Polska. In July of that year, level the behest of the State Branch, he returned to the U.S. post took his cavalry troop to high-mindedness Texas border to join Brigadier Universal John J. Pershing's army in rectitude hunt for Pancho Villa. Promoted adjoin major in the field, he correlative to Buffalo, then joined the 69th Regiment, also known as the "Fighting Irish Regiment". This was the identical 69th of Civil War fame,^[13] consequent called the 165th, which was activity for America's expected entry into Imitation War I, and which became participation of the 42nd Division, also leak out as the "Rainbow Division".^[14]Douglas MacArthur was the 42nd Division's chief of standard. Donovan's son David was born copy 1915, and a daughter, Patricia, was born in 1917. (Patricia died increase by two an accident in 1940.)

World War I

During World War I, Major Donovan sticky the 1st battalion, 165th Infantry be fitting of the 42nd Division. Serving in Author, he suffered a shrapnel wound spitting image one leg and was almost blinded by gas. After performing a let go free under fire, he was offered representation Croix de Guerre, but turned cuff down because a Jewish soldier who had taken part in the salvage had not also been awarded goodness honor. When this insult was apochromatic, Donovan accepted the distinction. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross school leading an assault during the Aisne-Marne campaign, in which hundreds of people of his regiment died, including potentate acting adjutant, the poet Joyce Kilmer. The 1940 James Cagney movie, The Fighting 69th, dramatised the events hold this battle and the 69th Foot Regiment's role in it.

Donovan's singular level of endurance, which far exceeded that of the much younger joe public under his command, led those troops body to give him the nickname "Wild Bill", which stuck with him lend a hand the rest of his life. Allowing he "professed annoyance with the nickname", his wife "knew that deep lay over he loved it".

Assigned commanding officer match the 165th Regiment, Donovan fought awarding another battle that took place fasten Landres-et-Saint-Georges on October 14–15, 1918. Thickheaded into battle, Donovan "ignored the officers' custom of covering or stripping interval insignia of rank (targets for snipers) and instead sallied forth wearing wreath medals", according to Evan Thomas.^[22] "They can't hit me and they won't hit you!" he told his men.^[22] Struck in the knee by undiluted bullet, he "refused to be evacuated and continued to direct his general public until even American tanks were unsettled back under withering German fire".^[22] Tail end lobbying by his friend, Father Francis P. Duffy, a famous and away revered Army chaplain, Donovan was awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster of birth Distinguished Service Cross (i.e., a specially DSC) for his service in delay battle. After the Armistice of Nov 11, 1918, Donovan remained in Assemblage as part of the occupation. Rearward returning to New York in Apr 1919, Donovan, now a colonel, was widely discussed as a possible entrant for governor, but he rejected righteousness idea, proclaiming his intention to resurface to Buffalo and resume the apply of law.^[23]

Medal of Honor AWARDED Cooperation ACTIONS DURING World War I

Service: Army

Division: 42d Division

GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 56, December 30, 1922

CITATION: The Gaffer of the United States of Usa, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal chide Honor to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan (ASN: 0-102383), United States Army, for extraordinary courageousness on 14 and 15 October 1918, while serving as Commanding Officer, Clxv Infantry, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Revive, in action at Landres-et-St. Georges, Author. Lieutenant Colonel Donovan personally led blue blood the gentry assaulting wave in an attack prevail a very strongly organized position, contemporary when our troops were suffering compact casualties he encouraged all near him by his example, moving among men in exposed positions, reorganizing decimated platoons, and accompanying them forward well-heeled attacks. When he was wounded imprison the leg by machine-gun bullets, noteworthy refused to be evacuated and continuing with his unit until it withdrew to a less exposed position.^[25]

Noteworthy Service Cross AWARDED FOR ACTIONS At hand World War I

Service: Army

GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders 71 (1919)

CITATION: The President of distinction United States of America, authorized uninviting Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Special Service Cross to Colonel (Infantry) William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan (ASN: 0-102383), United States Army, for extraordinary firmness in action while serving with Ordinal Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, A.E.F., close Villers-sur-Fere, France, July 28 - 31, 1918. Colonel Donovan led his army across the River Ourcq and captured important enemy strong holds. He was in advance of the division hold up four days, all the while go down shell and machine-gun fire from description enemy, who were on three sides of him, and he was over again and persistently counter-attacked, being wounded have qualms. Colonel Donovan's coolness and efficient supervision rendered possible the maintenance of that position.^[26]

Army Distinguished Service Medal AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING World War Frantic

Service: Army

GENERAL ORDERS: War Division, General Orders No. 43 (1922)

CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act shop Congress, July 9, 1918, takes charge in presenting the Army Distinguished Benefit Medal to Colonel (Infantry) William Patriarch "Wild Bill" Donovan (ASN: 0-102383), Mutual States Army, for exceptionally meritorious at an earlier time distinguished services to the Government considerate the United States, in a goodwill of great responsibility during World Clash I. As Battalion Commander of high-mindedness 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, before its operations in the Baccarat Subdivision from 28 to 31 July 1918, Colonel Donovan demonstrated high professional scholarship and marked ability. He displayed perceptible energy and most efficient leadership include the advance of his battalion farm cart the Ourcq River and the catching of strong enemy positions. In Oct 1918, as Lieutenant Colonel he essential the same regiment with marked happiness and distinction in the Meuse-Argonne hostile. His devotion to duty, heroism, stomach pronounced qualities of a commander enabled him to successfully accomplish all missions assigned to him in this tingly operation. From 3 January to 3 March 1919, as Inspector Instructor, Justice of the peace Marshall General's Department, he rendered serving of great value to the Dweller Expeditionary Forces.^[27]

Interwar years

Following his return disclose the U.S., Donovan took his mate on a combined vacation, business talk, and intelligence mission to Japan, Husband, and Korea, then went on by oneself to Siberia during the Russian Secular War. He went back to run away with at his law firm, but along with took an extensive journey to Accumulation, where he did business on benefit of J. P. Morgan and collected intelligence about international Communism.

From 1922 save for 1924, while maintaining his private condemn practice, he also served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District stop New York. A high point came in 1923, when, as a objective of continued pressure from Father Duffy, Donovan was finally awarded the Adornment of Honor for his heroic experience in the battle at Landres-et-Saint-Georges. Throb with the medal at a New-found York City ceremony that was artful by about four thousand veterans, Donovan refused to keep it, saying consider it it belonged not to him on the contrary "to the boys who are plead for here, the boys who are rousing under the white crosses in Author or in the cemeteries of Original York, also to the boys who were lucky enough to come through.^[8]

As US Attorney, he was becoming on top form known as a vigorous crime-fighter. Blooper was especially famous (and, in many circles, notorious) for his energetic carrying out of Prohibition. There were a matter of threats to assassinate him captain to dynamite his home, but unquestionable was not deterred. The climax discern his war on alcohol came explain August 1923, when his agents raided Buffalo's upmarket Saturn Club (of which Donovan himself was a member) skull confiscated large amounts of illegal intoxicants. The club's members, who formed untold of the city's upper crust, were outraged, having assumed that Prohibition blunt not apply to people such chimpanzee themselves. Some regarded Donovan as swell traitor to their class, and blend with that Donovan had not, after label, been born to high station nevertheless was, in fact, an Irish Distended who had married into the sphere of privileged, professional Protestants. Donovan's batter partner, Goodyear, quit their firm plod anger over the raid, and Donovan's own wife never forgave him recognize it. Many working class residents good buy Buffalo cheered the raid as bully example of equal justice under description law, however.

In 1924, when President Theologian Coolidge cleaned house at the Offshoot of Justice in the wake be beneficial to the late President Warren G. Harding's Teapot Dome scandal, he appointed Donovan's former professor Harlan Stone as Barrister General and named Donovan as Stone's assistant, in charge of the improper division. Donovan and his wife air their time between Washington and Flummox, where he continued to run her majesty law firm. At the Justice Commitee, Donovan hired women and eschewed yes-men. He and his wife became straight popular Washington couple, although Donovan's association with the acting Director of magnanimity Bureau of Investigation, J. Edgar Even, briefly one of his underlings, was fraught with friction.

When Stone was tailor-made accoutred to the Supreme Court in 1925, Donovan was put in charge prescription the Department of Justice's antitrust split, often serving as de facto Counsel General during the frequent absences close Stone's successor, John Garibaldi Sargent. Donovan was admired for his energetic scold effective arguments before the Supreme Tedious, and was a favorite off-the-record set off for the Washington press corps. Unquestionable was talked up as a conceivable candidate for Governor of New Royalty in 1926 and for the Promote Presidency in 1928; Herbert Hoover engrossed to make him Attorney General postulate Hoover won the Presidency in 1928, but instead, under the influence slope anti-Catholic Southerners, among others, Hoover ballooned up offering him the governorship bequest the Philippines, a post Donovan graveolent down.

Resigning from the Department of Charitable act in 1929, Donovan moved to Spanking York City and formed a new-found law firm, Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine, in partnership with Frank Raichle. Despite the stock market crash, perform made a success of handling innumerable of the mergers and acquisitions impressive bankruptcies that then resulted; he additionally acquired celebrity clients, such as Mae West and Jane Wyman.

Donovan ran managing the Republican line in the 1932 state election to succeed Franklin Rotate. Roosevelt as Governor of New Royalty. Assisting Donovan in his campaign was journalist James J. Montague, who served as "personal adviser and campaign critic".^[38] But despite Donovan's offstage charm explode force, he proved to be potent uninspiring campaigner on the stump. Grace ran a disorganized, strategy-free campaign, playing field in the end lost to righteousness Democratic nominee, Herbert Lehman.

World War II

During the interwar years, as "part declining an informal network of American profession and lawyers who closely tracked near collected intelligence on foreign affairs," Donovan traveled extensively in Europe and Collection, "establishing himself as a player sight international affairs – and honing surmount skills as an intelligence gatherer overseas." He met with such foreign body as Benito Mussolini, with whom oversight discussed World War I, the expansionist ideology of Italian Fascism, and Roosevelt's prospects for re-election in 1936. Potentate granted Donovan permission to visit distinction Italian front in Ethiopia, where subside found Italy's military much improved by reason of the war and predicted an Romance victory. Donovan also made connections counterpart leading figures in Nazi Germany. On the other hand he was no friend of rank dictators, publicly assailing Hitler, Mussolini, stream Stalin as totalitarians and taking work to protect his Jewish clients accent Europe from the Nazis.

Donovan openly putative during this time that a erelong major European war was inevitable. Her highness foreign experience and realism earned him the friendship of President Roosevelt, their extreme differences in domestic game plan and despite the fact that Donovan, during the 1932 election campaign, abstruse harshly criticized Roosevelt's record as Controller of New York. The two soldiers were from opposing political parties, however were similar in personality. Roosevelt legendary Donovan's experience, felt that Hoover esoteric done Donovan wrong on the Lawyer General appointment, and believed that pretend Donovan had been a Democrat misstep could have been elected president. Too, Donovan's national profile had risen entirely thanks to the 1940 Warner Brothers film The Fighting 69th, in which Pat O'Brien played Father Duffy refuse George Brent played Donovan, and President recognized a useful opportunity to feat Donovan's newfound popularity. As the four men began exchanging notes about developments abroad, Roosevelt recognized that Donovan could be an important ally and adviser.

Roosevelt came to place great value cry Donovan's insight. Following Germany's and character USSR's invasions of Poland in Sep 1939 and the start of Existence War II in Europe, President Writer began to put the United States on a war footing. This was a crisis of the sort stroll Donovan had predicted, and he sought after out a responsible place in decency wartime infrastructure. On the recommendation hold Donovan's friend, Secretary of the NavyFrank Knox, Roosevelt gave him a broadcast of increasingly important assignments. In 1940 and 1941, Donovan traveled as cease informal emissary to Britain, where put your feet up was urged by Knox and Writer to gauge Britain's ability to ride out Germany's aggression.

During these trips, Donovan fall over with key officials in the Nation war effort, including Winston Churchill captain the directors of Britain's intelligence services.^[45] He also had lunch with Smart George VI. Donovan and Churchill got along famously, sharing war stories highest reciting in unison the nineteenth-century song "The Cavalier's Song" by William Motherwell.^[22] Impressed by Donovan and cheered fail to notice his eagerness to help Britain, Town ordered that he be given casing access to classified information. Donovan shared to the U.S. confident of Britain's chances and enamored of the prospect of founding an American intelligence audacity modeled on that of the British.^[45] He strongly urged Roosevelt to supply Churchill the aid he requested. Fdr wanted to provide such aid, existing asked Donovan to use his participation of the law to figure strengthen how to skirt the congressional outlaw on selling armaments to the Pooled Kingdom.^[22]

British diplomats, who shared Churchill's revere for Donovan, expressed the wish restage State Department officials that Donovan alternate U.S. Ambassador to Britain Joseph Proprietress. Kennedy, who favored the appeasers bid was defeatist regarding British prospects. Hobble the view of Walter Lippmann, orderly political columnist, Donovan's findings about Britain's fighting capability "almost singlehandedly overcame nobility unmitigated defeatism which was paralyzing Washington." Donovan also examined U.S. naval defenses in the Pacific (which he throw wanting) and visited several countries wayout the Mediterranean and in the Halfway East, serving as an unofficial courier for both the U.S. and Kingdom and urging leaders there to bump up up to the Nazis. He further met frequently in New York narrow British Security Co-ordination head William Businessman, a spy for MI6 who was known as "Intrepid", and Stephenson's proxy, Australian-born MI6 intelligence officer Dick Ellis, who has been credited with handwriting the blueprint for Donovan's new Earth intelligence agency.

Donovan and Stephenson, according to Thomas, "eventually became so initiate that they were known as 'Big Bill' and 'Little Bill'."^[22] Donovan, Jazzman has said, "could not have consider the OSS without the British, who provided intelligence, trainers, organizational charts squeeze advice – all with the plan of making OSS an adjunct average British intelligence. But Donovan wanted reach mount his own operations."^[47]

According to Ellis, quoted in his biography by British-Australian author Jesse Fink: ‘I was before long requested to draft a blueprint on the side of an American intelligence agency, the help of BSC [British Security Co-ordination] current based on these British wartime improvisations... detailed tables of organisation were forbidden to Washington... among these were grandeur organisational tables that led to nobility birth of General William Donovan’s OSS.’^[48]

Said United States Assistant Secretary of Position Adolf Berle: ‘The really active belief of the intelligence section in [William] Donovan’s [OSS] group is [Ellis] . . . in other words, [Stephenson’s] assistant in the British intelligence [sic] is running Donovan’s intelligence service.’"^[49]

OSS

On July 11, 1941, Roosevelt signed an systematize naming Donovan Coordinator of Information (COI). "At the time," Thomas wrote, "the U.S. government had no formal fifth columnist agency. In 1929, the Secretary come close to State, Henry L. Stimson, had examine the highly effective Black Chamber, trig code-breaking organization left over from Field War I." In Stimson's view, "Gentlemen do not read each other's mail."^[22] The Army, Navy, FBI, State Wing, and other entities all ran their own intelligence units, but they were feeble and isolated from one on. They also saw Donovan's new manner as a threat to their turfs.

Nevertheless, Donovan began to lay the donkey-work for a centralized intelligence program. Fundamental closely with Dick Ellis, it was he who organized the COI's In mint condition York headquarters in Room 3603 be partial to Rockefeller Center in October 1941 gift asked Allen Dulles to head it; the offices Dulles took were state of affairs the floor immediately above the removal of the operations of Britain's MI6. Thomas has described the OSS introduction an "informal" and "freewheeling" place veer "[r]ank meant little." David Bruce consequent recalled: "Woe to the officer who turned down a project because, get-together its face, it seemed ridiculous umpire at least unusual  ... His [referring to the ideal officers in probity OSS, contrasting with the aforementioned organization, who turned down such projects] belief was unlimited. Ideas were his toy. Excitement made him snort like regular race horse." Throughout the war, loftiness OSS would endure criticism by segments of the U.S. media and next to many highly placed figures in greatness U.S. government and military. General Martyr Marshall was an early critic nevertheless later changed his mind. Eisenhower was always supportive, as was General Martyr Patton.^[47]

On December 7, after the Asiatic attack on Pearl Harbor, Donovan reduction privately with Roosevelt and Edward Publicity. Murrow, and FDR told Donovan, appropriate of the COI, "It's a fair to middling thing you got me started spill the beans this." When Hitler gave a talk declaring war on the United States, he mentioned Donovan, whom he cryed "utterly unworthy". Donovan urged Roosevelt need to intern Japanese-Americans, warning that much an action would address a question that did not exist, do injury to loyal Americans, and provide dignity Japanese with ammunition for their propaganda.

Donovan set up espionage and sabotage schools, established front companies, arranged clandestine collaborations with international corporations and the Residence, and oversaw the invention of in mint condition, espionage-friendly guns, cameras, and bombs. Donovan also recruited agents, selecting individuals pick a wide range of backgrounds – ranging from intellectuals and artists inspire people with criminal backgrounds. He chartered a great many female spies, dismissing criticism by those who felt platoon were unsuited to such work. In the middle of his prominent recruits were film pretentious John Ford, actor Sterling Hayden, father Stephen Vincent Benét, and Eve Physicist, daughter of the scientists Marie instruction Pierre Curie. Other OSS recruits objective poet Archibald MacLeish, banker Paul Financier, businessman Alfred V. du Pont (son of industrialist Alfred I. du Pont), chef Julia Child, psychologist Carl Psychologist (who helped with the effort amplify analyze the psyches of Hitler queue other Nazi leaders), author Walter Ruler, and members of the Auchincloss tube Vanderbilt families. There were so multitudinous aristocrats in the agency that significance joke went around that OSS ordinary for "Oh So Social".^[22]

In 1942, picture COI ceased being a White Habitation operation and was placed under interpretation aegis of the Joint Chiefs business Staff. Roosevelt also changed its term to the Office of Strategic Rite (OSS). Donovan was returned to hidden duty in the U.S. Army bolster his World War I rank show colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general in March 1943 and regain consciousness major general in November 1944. Bring round his leadership the OSS would one of these days conduct successful espionage and sabotage story in Europe and parts of Aggregation, but continued to be kept under the weather of South America owing to Hoover's hostility to Donovan, which also abstruse a deleterious impact on efforts afflict share information between the two agencies. In addition, the OSS was impenetrable from the Philippines by the distaste of General Douglas MacArthur, the commanding officer of the Southwest Pacific Theater. Intersect espionage and other on-site activities helped prepare the ground for the 1942 Allied invasion of North Africa, dispel, and Donovan himself took part quick-witted the Allied landing at Salerno, Italia, on September 3, 1943, and conclude the Anzio landing on January 22, 1944.

Donovan was in fact very resting in virtually every theater of Planet War II. He spent a beneficial deal of time in the Peninsula, to which he had urged both Roosevelt and Churchill to pay a cut above attention. He met in Europe make sense highly placed anti-Nazi Germans to stockbroker an early peace that would wet behind the ears for occupation by the Western Alliance, establish a democratic Germany, and walk out on the Soviets out in the frosty. In China, he struggled with Chiang Kai-shek and his underlings for give the go-ahead to carry out espionage activities strike home their territory. He inspected OSS rivalry in Burma, met with Vyacheslav Solon in Moscow to arrange for relation between the OSS and NKVD, advocate was present for MacArthur's successful Apr 1944 invasion of Hollandia on justness northern coast of New Guinea. All-embracing, the OSS was most effective shore the Balkans, China, Burma, and France.^[47]

By 1943, Donovan's relations with British administration were becoming increasingly strained as span result of turf wars, strategic prep added to tactical disagreements, radical differences in proportion and temperament (the British accused magnanimity OSS of playing "cowboys and lowclass Indians"), and contrasting visions of interpretation postwar world. (The British wanted achieve retain their empire; Donovan saw ethics empire, at least in some time, as an impediment to democracy brook economic development.) MI6 chief Stewart Menzies was extremely hostile towards the answer of OSS operations anywhere in illustriousness British Empire, and categorically forbade excellence OSS to operate within the UK, or to deal with allied governments in exile which were based play a role London. Nonetheless, as of May 1944, Donovan had "some eleven thousand Inhabitant officers and foreign agents scattered reveal every important capital." During the clash he also received intelligence from capital network of Catholic priests across Aggregation who engaged in espionage without magnanimity Pope's knowledge.

On D-Day, Donovan was mystification one of the ships that took part in the Normandy landing. Churned up ashore, he and his commander bear witness covert operations in Europe, Colonel King K. E. Bruce, were shot dubious by a German plane, then distressed on toward the American front hang around and encountered German machine-gun fire. Chimpanzee they lay on the ground, Physician later recalled, Donovan said, "David, astonishment mustn't be captured. We know in addition much." Donovan said that he confidential two suicide pills, but then determined he didn't. "I must shoot first," Donovan said. Bruce replied, "Yes, sir, but can we do much admit machine guns with our pistols?" Donovan explained: "Oh, you don't understand. Unrestrainable mean, if we are about let fall be captured, I'll shoot you cardinal. After all, I am your high officer."^[22]

Eventually, they found their way manage General Omar Bradley's newly set-up well-mannered headquarters on the beach. Upon recurring to Washington, Donovan reported directly quality Roosevelt on what he had empirical. The success of the invasion, sharptasting said, showed that German naval stomach air forces were definitely no person "Big League" and that "something has died in the German machine. Previously the month was over, he was in Italy, implementing reforms in nobleness OSS operation in that theater. Put your feet up also met with Pope Pius Dozen, telling him about the activities warning sign intelligence agents working out of influence Japanese embassy at the Vatican. Lasting the weeks leading up to grandeur Valkyrie plot to kill Hitler, Diplomat, Donovan's man in Switzerland, who was in contact with the plotters, spoken for him abreast of developments.

A particular winner for the OSS was the comport yourself it played in conveying intelligence vary southern France in the run-up become the Allied landing on the Gallic Riviera on August 15, 1944. Acknowledgment to Donovan's spies, said Colonel William Wilson Quinn, the invading army "knew everything about that beach and at every German was." Donovan was gain for that invasion, too, after which he returned to Rome for systematic secret meeting with Hitler's envoy fifty pence piece the Vatican, Ernst von Weizsäcker. Soon afterwards, he met with Marshal Statesman to discuss OSS operations in Jugoslavija. Also in August 1944, Donovan came into conflict with Churchill over goodness OSS's support for Greek anti-royalists.

In honourableness closing days of the war moniker Europe, Donovan spent much of top time in London, where he diseased out of a command center think it over took up an entire floor get the picture Claridge's Hotel. He fielded reports escape across the continent, where the Wehrmacht was in such chaos that closure "knew their positions on the field of battle better than German generals did." Satisfy one of many initiatives, he purport out "teams of French, Danish, European, and Polish nationals" to identify Gestapo officers who had tortured them service who now were trying to weave in with civilians in Allied-controlled areas of Germany. Acting on Donovan's give instructions, Dulles oversaw the surrender of prestige remaining Nazi forces in Italy a sprinkling days in advance of the rearmost German capitulation.^[77]

Postwar plans

As World War II began to wind to a rapid in early 1945, Donovan began shield focus on preserving the OSS before the end of the war. Well-ordered February 19 article in the Washington Times-Herald revealed his plans for undiluted postwar intelligence agency and published boss secret memo he had sent cue Roosevelt proposing its creation. The clause compared the proposed agency to probity Gestapo. Knowing that Americans wanted wonderful smaller federal government after the conflict, Roosevelt was not entirely sold bewilderment Donovan's proposal, although Donovan felt moderately confident he could talk the head into the idea. Hoover disapproved do admin Donovan's plan, which he saw since a direct threat to FBI clout, even though Donovan had stressed drift his agency would operate only far, not domestically. After Roosevelt's death imprison April, however, Donovan's political position was substantially weakened. Although he argued hammer and tongs for the OSS's retention, he misjudge himself opposed by the new big cheese, Harry S. Truman. While the Infuriated got "glowing reviews" from many wartime commanders, notably Eisenhower, who described warmth contributions as "vital", critics dismissed speedy as "an arm of British intelligence" and, like the Times-Herald reporter, calico dark pictures of it as key American Gestapo in the making.

Nuremberg trials

While British authorities and the US martial and State Department were relatively disinterested to the question of trying contention criminals after the war, Donovan was lobbying Roosevelt as early as Oct 1943 to arrange for such prosecutions. Roosevelt tasked Donovan with looking feel painful the legalities and technicalities, and affluent the months that followed Donovan controlled testimonies about war criminals and connected information from a wide range tip off sources. In addition to seeking excellence, Donovan wanted to exact retribution schedule the torture and killing of Stumble upon agents. When Truman named Supreme Dreary Justice Robert H. Jackson to attend to as chief U.S. counsel in greatness prosecution of Nazi war criminals, Politico, discovering that the OSS was honourableness only agency that had seriously explored the issue, invited Donovan to watershed his trial staff.

On May 17, 1945, Donovan flew to Europe to coach for the prosecutions, and eventually overpower 172 OSS officers onto Jackson's cast, interviewing Auschwitz survivors, tracking down Money and Gestapo documents, and uncovering additional evidence. Donovan, whose idea it was to hold the trials in Nurnberg, also introduced Jackson to useful fantastic officials and even released OSS capital to bankroll the prosecution effort. One of these days, Jackson, who had been a administrative rival of Donovan's in New Royalty State, considered him a "godsend"; stop in mid-sentence return for Donovan's help, but along with because the OSS had proven "vital for the prosecution team," Jackson lobbied Truman in person to approve panic about Donovan's plans for a permanent postwar intelligence agency. The effort was abortive, however. On September 20, 1945, President signed an executive order abolishing illustriousness OSS.

As was only revealed 60 ripen later, Donovan succeeded in getting high-mindedness Americans to block the Soviet beginning to add the Katyn massacre reach the list of German war crimes. He had been convinced by excellence German opponent of Hitler, Fabian von Schlabrendorff, unofficially included on his rod, that it was not the Germans but the Soviet secret service NKVD that had murdered some 4,000 Mastery officers in the Katyn forest.^[83] Nevertheless shortly afterwards Donovan came into opposition with Jackson.

In Nuremberg, Donovan interrogated many prisoners, including Hermann Göring, whom he spoke with ten times. Nevertheless eventually Donovan fell out with General. The latter wanted to indict glory entire German High Command, not evenhanded men who had personally ordered order about committed war crimes; Donovan considered that a violation of American principles mention fairness. Donovan, a former prosecutor, besides criticized Jackson's lack of skill ground experience at putting together a muscular case and at courtroom examination become more intense cross-examination. Jackson removed him from justness team, and Donovan returned to class U.S., where in January 1946 President presented him with the Distinguished Referee Medal.

CIA

In 1946, Donovan resumed the explore of law and began writing swell history of American intelligence since interpretation Revolutionary War – a book blooper never completed. He traveled extensively entice Europe and Asia and ran greatly for the Republican nomination for rectitude US Senate.

He also became chairman tinge the newly founded American Committee sock United Europe (ACUE), which worked get to the bottom of counter the new Communist threat touch Europe (→ Cold War) by spurring European political unity. The vice-chairman was Dulles, and Walter Bedell Smith sat on the board as well. Primacy ACUE financed the European Movement, blue blood the gentry most important federalist organization in birth immediate postwar years. (In 1958, decency ACUE provided 53.5% of the movement's funds.) In addition, the ACUE undersupplied all of the funding for picture European Youth Campaign, in which Carpenter Retinger, Robert Schuman, and Paul-Henri Spaak were involved.^[86]

Meanwhile, Truman moved forward introduce plans for a new intelligence authority, finally giving approval in 1946 support a watered-down interdepartmental "Central Intelligence Group." Donovan warned that it would skin ineffectual – he compared it lecture to a "debating society" – and flair soon proved to be right. Though the Cold War quickly intensified, President recognized the need for a distance off stronger intelligence service, and in Feb 1947 asked Congress to approve display for a Central Intelligence Agency cutting edge the lines Donovan had proposed. Donovan himself lobbied Congress privately to wrapping the enabling legislation, the National Custody Act of 1947.^[77] It was, elaborate Waller's words, "a vindication of Donovan's vision". Among the OSS members who went on to become major CIA figures were Dulles, William Casey, William Colby, and James Jesus Angleton.^[47]

Donovan required to lead the CIA, and challenging many supporters who urged Truman optimism put him in charge. Instead, goodness president gave the job to Admiral Roscoe Hillenkoetter, whom Waller described primate "lackluster". Meanwhile, Donovan accepted a President appointment to head a committee work the country's fire departments. But why not? worked behind the scenes to encourage in the formation of the CIA, recommending that Hillenkoetter hire Dulles fairy story other OSS veterans, suggesting various implied operations, and sharing contacts and background from behind the Iron Curtain. Back end returning from abroad, U.S. businessmen essential ambassadors passed information to Donovan give it some thought he shared with the CIA. Rather than of being grateful for Donovan's facilitate, Truman was furious, considering him solve intrusive meddler. In the 1952 statesmanlike election, Donovan campaigned for Eisenhower, who had become a good friend in that the war. After his victory, Donovan hoped to be named CIA intellect, but instead Eisenhower appointed Dulles, whose brother, John Foster Dulles, was excellence new Secretary of State. Eisenhower offered to make Donovan the Ambassador have a high opinion of France, but Donovan turned down high-mindedness offer, not wanting to work believably with John Foster Dulles, for whom he had little respect. In Grand 1953, however, he did accept grandeur post of Ambassador to Thailand, due to the country was an important Ironic War front and the position was one in which he felt closure could operate with relative independence unapproachable Secretary Dulles.

Donovan took up that peg on September 4. While in Siam, he frequently traveled to Vietnam, which he thought could become a collectivist country, a possibility he felt interpretation U.S. ambassador to that country, Donald Heath, lacked the energy and make up to prevent. One source says dump he "was deeply involved in environment up C.I.A. operations in Vietnam significant throughout Southeast Asia."^[22] Although his execution as ambassador received glowing reviews give birth to the Thai government, he resigned get round his position effective August 21, 1954.^[91][92]

After returning to the U.S., he resumed his law practice and registered little a lobbyist for the Thai rule. Eisenhower made him chairman of significance People to People Foundation, a piece that arranged international citizen exchanges; Donovan also worked with the International Come to rescue Committee, co-founded American Friends of War, and in 1956 raised a ample sum of money for Hungarians who fled their country after the Land Army had crushed the Hungarian Revolution.

Death and legacy

Donovan had begun experiencing symptoms of dementia while in Thailand, playing field he was hospitalized in 1957. Size in the hospital, he "imagined subside saw the Red Army coming keep at bay the 59th Street bridge, into Borough, and in one memorable last excretion, fled the hospital, wandering down dignity street in his pajamas." Shortly beforehand his death, he was visited mass Eisenhower, who later told a partner that Donovan was "the last hero".^[22]

Donovan died at the age of 76 from complications of vascular dementia forgery February 8, 1959, at Walter Caste Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.^[23] Upon learning of his death, distinction CIA sent a cable to cast down station chiefs: "The man more answerable than any other for the world of the Central Intelligence Agency has passed away."^[22] He is buried consign Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.^[23] After his death, Donovan was awarded the Freedom Award of the Cosmopolitan Rescue Committee.^[94] The law firm loosen up founded, Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine, was dissolved in 1998.^[95] His population in Chapel Hill near Berryville, Town, was listed on the National Record of Historic Places in 2004.^[96]

In 2011, it was suggested that a additional federal courthouse in Buffalo be christened after Donovan, but, instead, it was named after Robert H. Jackson, crown rival prosecutor at Nuremberg. In 2014, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer asked class U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to name an upstate New Royalty cemetery after Donovan. In 2016, dispel, the VA decided against using Donovan's name. "It is outrageous that fall to pieces has been done to honor Forecast. Donovan, one of America's greatest patriots, in Buffalo or western New York," declared Charles Pinck, president of loftiness OSS Society, who had thought decency naming of the cemetery after Donovan was "a done deal".^[97]

Donovan is tidy member of the Military Intelligence Entry of Fame.^[95] He is also get out as the "Father of American Intelligence" and the "Father of Central Intelligence".^[94][98] "The Central Intelligence Agency regards Donovan as its founding father," according condemnation Thomas in a 2011 Vanity Fair profile. The George Bush Center fetch Intelligence, the CIA headquarters building alter Langley, Virginia, has a statue detail Donovan in the lobby. Thomas empiric that Donovan's "exploits are utterly unlikely but by now well documented flowerbed declassified wartime records that portray straighten up brave, noble, headlong, gleeful, sometimes odious pursuit of action and skulduggery."^[22]

William Specify. Donovan Award

The William J. Donovan Furnish was created by the OSS Companionship, which was founded by Donovan break down 1947. The award is presented encourage the OSS Society to "someone who has exemplified the distinguishing features desert characterized General Donovan's lifetime of leak out service to the United of States of America as a citizen explode a soldier". Notable recipients include Filmmaker W. Dulles, President Dwight D. President, Margaret Thatcher, President George H. Helpless. Bush, and former Director of nobility Central Intelligence AgencyGina Haspel.^[99]

Personal life

Donovan's bunkum, David Rumsey Donovan, was a nautical officer who served with distinction be given World War II. His grandson, William James Donovan, served as an enlisted soldier in Vietnam and is very buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and decorations

U.S. awards

Foreign awards

See also