Rash's Surname Index


Notes for Allen Welsh DULLES

Dulles, Allen Welsh, 1893–1969, U.S. public official, b. Watertown, N.Y.; brother of John Foster Dulles. He entered (1916) diplomatic service and became (1922) chief of the State Deptartment's division of Near Eastern affairs. In 1926 he resigned to practice law. During World War II he was a prominent member of the Office of Strategic Services. Returning (1951) to government service as deputy director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Dulles became director in 1953. Under his direction the CIA was strengthened and made a more effective element in the U.S. intelligence system. Dulles resigned in 1961 after a series of events (most notably the Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba) in which the CIA played a controversial role that aroused much criticism. His works include Germany's Underground (1947), The Craft of Intelligence (1963), and Secret Surrender (1966).

Allen Welsh Dulles - Birth: Apr. 7, 1893 - Death: Jan. 29, 1969 -- "Spymaster" OSS and CIA leader - He was born Allen Welsh Dulles the son of famous Presbyterian minister Reverend Allen Dulles in Watertown, New York. His father often stressed the merits of public Service with his five children. He was educated in the local school system then went on to Princeton with graduation entered the diplomatic service. He returned to George Washington University earning a law degree and with it in hand took a job at the New York firm owned along with a partner by his brother John Foster Dulles. During World War II, he was a station chief (spy) in Berne, Switzerland. Dulles supplied the U.S with much sensitive information about Nazi Germany, then played an important role in negotiations leading to the unconditional capitulation of German troops in Italy. Congress created the Central Intelligence Agency and Allen Dulles was closely involved with its development and named deputy director. Under President Eisenhower, he became its director. The CIA was instrumental in the overthrow of many governments through covert activities. The U-2 Plane was devised, gleaning important information with its flights over Russia. It discovered the hidden missiles in Cuba resulting in subsequent removal. However: They hit a snag when President John F. Kennedy held Dulles responsible for the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba because of faulty information and forced him to resign. In retirement, he wrote articles defending the CIA and rejected charges it was to blame for the Cuba failure. He closed out his amazing career by serving on the Warren Commission on the assassination of President Kennedy adding credibility to the final report. Eight years later, at the time of his death, he still carried the mythical tile of "Spymaster" and was still respected in the country and throughout the world as the most talented, effectual American spy in history. He contracted influenza which developed into pneumonia taking his life at age seventy five. Prior to his resignation he toured the newly constructed Central Intelligence Headquarters, a project he spearheaded, situated in a college campus-like atmosphere creating an ideal atmosphere in which to pursue intelligence work. He never was able to occupy the office of director. After his death a bas-relief sculpted by Heinz Warneke depicting him was placed on the north wall of the main lobby honoring his long service and contributions to the CIA. (bio by: Donald Greyfield) Burial: Green Mount Cemetery Baltimore Maryland, USA
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