9781422280225

An aerial view of the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters, Langley, VA.

together, operating independently, but reporting to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. On June 13, 1942, the COI became the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). By late 1944, the OSS had nearly 13,000 employees, and some people joked that OSS stood for “Oh So Social” because it hired so many distinguished people. Its agents used de- vices of a type now associated with James Bond, such as cameras disguised as matchboxes, messages in hollowed-out silver dollars, and coat buttons holding a compass inside. The OSS also joined with Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) to fight guerrilla campaigns in Europe and Asia.

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