Major General William “Wild Bill” Donovan is a true American hero who has left a legacy behind that has withstood the tests of time. A man who began with a humble upbringing, Donovan dedicated his entire adult life in service to the United States. He was a man who upheld the law and fought for what was right, regardless of the opinions of others. Major General Donovan served in both World Wars, during which he earned the Nation’s four highest honors. He was a visionary who established the basic framework that inevitably became today’s modern Intelligence Community, and truly understood that the US had to remain ever vigilant in order to prosper. Even after his service in the US Army, Donovan continued to serve the US in advisory roles to the …show more content…
In fact, it was introduced to me quite recently. My battalion commander had told some of my Soldiers to research his story to see how impactful his career was and still is to this day. I read along with them and could not believe the tale that had been presented to us. Donovan’s dedication to service, to doing the right thing regardless of the challenges he faced, is truly inspirational. He was an “outside of the box” thinker that was always planning ahead, and put as much enthusiasm as he could into everything he did. The personal sacrifices he made inspired his men to thrust their lives into danger to follow him into hostile fire. His actions didn’t just lead to the betterment of the US, but rather the betterment of the world as a whole. It was these things that really made me evaluate where I am now and where I hope to go with my career. I had never truly thought about the legacy that I want to leave behind me when I hang my beret in the next decade or so, but I can only hope that the people I have served with, as well as the individuals I will serve with in the future, remember me as someone who always did the right thing and did not take no for an answer, just like William Donovan. I hope that my Soldiers think back to me as a leader who was always next to them, whether it be during training or on a mission, just like Donovan did throughout his entire life. Finally, I hope to be known as a forward thinker who stuck to his ideas regardless of what other people thought or said about them, much like Donovan with his opinions on forming a standing intelligence body after the war. I do not expect to have as far reaching of an impact as “Wild Bill” did, but if even a few people remember me in those ways, I would be thrilled by the thought of
Born on September 23, 1953, Earl Edwin Pitts was a all-American, clean-cut citizen of the United States. Earl Edwin Pitts is a native of Urbana, Missouri, he has a Bachelors in Science Degree from Central Missouri State University, a Master's Degree from Webster College, and a law degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He served in the Army from 1975 to 1980. As a law school graduate and retired Army Captain (1), Earl Edwin Pitts had dreamed of working for the Federal Bureau of Investigations for two reasons, first to protect the United States and second, as a means of escaping his small town Missouri roots. On September 18, 1983 Earl Edwin Pitts joined the Federal Bureau of Investigations as a Special Agent taking the solemn oath of office and promising to support and defend the Constitution of the United States as well as to protect the secret information accessed during his tenure at the Federal Bureau of Investigations however, less than four years later, a disgruntled and angry Earl Edwin Pitts entered into a conspiracy with the Soviet Union to betray his country. Earl Edwin Pitts was a thirteen year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigations when he was caught selling information to the United States’ largest adversary; nine of those years were as a double agent. (2)
The Authors of The Ugly American, William J. Lederer and Eugene Burdick, wrote a fictional story, with fictional characters about a fictional country. The only thing that was not fictional was the message that they were trying to convey about what was wrong with America’s foreign policy. It is not a coincidence that their message directly correlates to the Special Operations (SO) Imperatives. I will discuss specific characters in The Ugly American and how their actions did or didn’t mirror those of certain SO Imperatives. Also, I will show that the actions of the characters that mirrored the SO Imperatives were able to achieve positive results.
For the American intelligence community, George Washington is considered the father of intelligence. The introduction of the intelligence concept and its application in some missions during the early days of America helped America’s Founding Fathers to succeed against t...
Richard Wright has been referred to me for therapy regarding his theft from the local theater, and I believe that he committed this crime because he believes that because of his station in society he would never be able to support himself and his family through honest means. Despite the fact that he does hold some remorse for his actions, it would appear that whatever remorse he holds is tempered by his justifications for stealing. A thorough analysis of his reasoning has been conducted and with testimony from the patient to serve as my proof, I will begin treatment to show him the error of his ways.
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
Aldrich Ames was one of the most notorious spys in United States history, single handily crippling the United States spy network in the Soviet Union, and compromising hundreds of Intelligence Operations around the world. Ames’ impact on the national security of the United States was devastating and the ramifications of his actions can still be felt today in the Intelligence Community. This paper will provide details into the background and the events surrounding Ames’ espionage and subsequent arrest for treason.
Poet, journalist, essayist, and novelist Richard Wright developed from an uneducated Southerner to one of the most cosmopolitan, politically active writers in American literature. In many of Richard Wright's works, he exemplifies his own life and proves to “white” America that African American literature should be taken seriously. Before Wright, “white” America failed to acknowledge the role African American writing played in shaping American culture. It was shocking in itself that an African American could write at all. Thus, Richard Wright is well known as the father of African American literature mainly because of his ability to challenge the literary stereotypes given to African Americans.
Nedzi (D-Mich.), Luclen N. “Oversight or Overlook: Congress and the US Intelligence Agency.” A Congressman talk to the CIA senior seminar, November 14, 1979, https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/vol18no2/pdf/v18i2a02p.pdf (accessed January 7, 2014).
... army of the enemy and the capacities they had. Although US intelligence said they had improved their efficiency so another Pearl Harbor doesn’t happen again, the true is that there are still imperfections on the structure of the agencies, and the rival relationship between those, makes things worse.
Standing in a crowd of hundreds, anxious about what is to come—combat; waiting for a man whose reputation greatly precedes him…the man who will lead you into battle—into a nightmare. As he took the microphone and declared, “you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight.” These words are those of General George Patton…and he has your attention. Inspirational and blunt are just a couple of the many terms used to describe General Patton. General Patton was also a visionary in employment of combat forces; in fact, he was an expert on the subject. The manner in which he led his troops was in itself visionary. Despite his military prowess and formidable leadership, General Patton was humble in leadership and intellect. These three attributes will demonstrate that he was above all, a visionary and ethical leader.
The American Revolution saw the rise of the American spy, and the father of these spies was George Washington, commander in Chief of the Continental Army. The siege of New York demonstrated the importance and dire need for intelligence to General Washington. Unfortunately, the difficulty, at least initially, lies with finding people willing and able to serve in this manner. Upon recognizing the necessity for a network of subterfuge, Washington created the Culper spy ring. Housed in New York City under the command of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, its purpose was more than merely gaining intelligence.
?Espionage.? 2000-2004. The War to End All Wars. Michael Duffy. Original Material. Primary Documents Online.
The NCO Creed states, “I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army” (‘The NCO Creed’). That verse alone should be the most inspiring part that all Noncommissioned Officers should love to hear because it’s true in many aspects. The question to ask is, are we driving it in the right direction. There has never been a time in our history when Soldiers needed competent and strong leaders more than today. The social complications that our young Soldiers face are beyond what any generation before them has had to endure and learn and navigate. The military are looking for leaders who can be role models for these Soldiers. Anyone can tell a soldier what to do, but a good leader can show, direct and motiva...
...played an excellent model of military ethics. Finally, I showed how my leadership decisions, although not combat related, bear some similarity in vision and ethics to Chesty’s standard, as set seven decades earlier. I can think of no better leader for today’s officers, both commissioned and noncommissioned, to emulate than the most decorated and idolized marine in history.
... to be the backbone of the Army unless I am willing and able, to do what is right at all times. I must be the standard-bearer. I must be beyond reproach. I must, at all times, conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the corps, the military service, and my country, regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I have recited a creed daily that embodies what makes an NCO. I have lived by that creed and always placed the needs of my soldiers above my own. I have sacrificed in times when I should not have. I have made sure those around me are better off than myself whenever I was able. What I mean with these hollow words, what I hope rings true from the message I am trying to convey, is that I have LIVED with integrity. I have EMBODIED integrity, even when it meant it would harm me; because no one is more professional than I.