Press Releases: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of the Founding of the Office of Strategic Services
Notice to the Press
On June 13, 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an Executive Order creating the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to “collect and analyze such strategic information as may be required by the United States…” and “plan and operate such special services as may be directed by the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff.” President Roosevelt appointed Buffalo, New York native William J. (“Wild Bill”) Donovan as the first Director of Strategic Services.
To commemorate the establishment of the OSS, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Mr. Mike Pompeo; the State Department’s Assistant Secretary of Intelligence and Research Ambassador Daniel B. Smith; and U.S. Special Operations Vice Commander Lt. Gen. Thomas J. Trask will join Mr. Charles Pinck, President of the OSS Society, on Friday, June 16, at 1:00 p.m. in front of the Navy Hill East Building at the Observatory Hill Historic District in northwest Washington, DC for a ceremony.
When the OSS was dissolved at the end of World War II, its core components were transferred to the War and State Departments. The Research and Analysis Branch was transferred to the State Department and became the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. The military elements became what is now the U.S. Special Operations Command. Many key OSS personnel later went on to join the Central Intelligence Agency upon its creation in 1947.
The East Building served as OSS headquarters from its inception and later became the first headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1947 until 1961.
The event is open to the press. Pre-set time for cameras is 11:00 a.m. from the Navy Hill North Gate entrance (located at 23rd and D Street). Final access time for writers and stills is 12:00 noon from the Navy Hill North Gate entrance.
Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued photo media credential (e.g., Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense or Foreign Press Center), or (2) an official photo identification card issued by their news organization, or (3) a letter from their employer on official letterhead verifying their current employment as a journalist.
Additionally, they must present an official government photo identification card (e.g., U.S. driver’s license or passport).
For further information, please contact a Public Affairs Specialist at leerh2@state.gov or 202-647-6561/202-351-9200.