Editing William j. Donovan (section)

==William J. Donovan==

William J. Donovan (1883–1959), known as “Wild Bill,” was a towering figure in American military and intelligence history. A decorated World War I hero, earning the Medal of Honor, he later founded and led the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II, laying the groundwork for the modern CIA. His career in covert activities shaped U.S. intelligence during and after World War II.

Entry into Intelligence: Pre-WWII

In the 1920s and 1930s, Donovan, a successful Wall Street lawyer, conducted informal intelligence-gathering missions for the U.S. government. His travels to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, often under the guise of business, allowed him to report on political and military developments.

In 1919, he observed the Russian Civil War, assessing Bolshevik strength for the State Department.  In the 1930s, he met with European leaders, including Benito Mussolini, to gauge fascist regimes’ intentions, providing insights to U.S.   Donovan recognized the U.S.’s lack of a coordinated intelligence apparatus, unlike Britain’s MI6. His experiences convinced him of the need for a dedicated agency to conduct espionage and covert operations, especially as global tensions rose with Nazi Germany’s expansion.