RICHARD HELMS THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91-00901R000500120001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 45
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 14, 2003
• Sequence Number: 1
• Content Type: BIO

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The Director of Central Intelligence
Richard McGarrah Helms became the Director of Central
Intelligence on 30 June 1966. He had been the Deputy Director
since 28 April 1965. The oath of office was administered in
the East Room, The White House, following remarks by Lyndon B.
Johnson, the President of the United States. President Johnson
on 18 June 1966 Y~ad announced that Mr. Helms would be the new
Director and on ?_0 June he sent the nomination to the United States
Senate. Mr. Helms appeared before the Armed Services Committee in
a public hearing on 23 June and the Committee by unanimous vote
approved the nomination; on 28 June the Senate of the United States
unanimously confirmed the nomination.
On 30 June 1966 just prior to Mr. Helms taking the oath
of office in the East Room of The White House, President Johnson
said:
"It is a very special pleasure to me, to one who has
spent thirty-five years in the Federal Government (not
always under the protective arm of the Secret Service or
the Civil Service) to see one of the high positions in
this Government filled by a man who has devoted his entire
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02 :CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
career to the public service of his country. Dick Helms,
the man we are naming to this post, is such a man.
"Although he has spent more than twenty years in
public life attempting to avoid publicity, he has never
been able to conceal the fact that he is one of the most
trusted and most able and most dedicated professional career
men in this Capitol. No man has ever come to this high
critical office with better qualifications.
"I think it was Patrick Henry who said, TThe battle
is not to t:he strong alone, it is to the vigilant and to
the active and to the brave,T and it is to Dick Helms and
to the Agency that he will now head that we must look for
this vigilance . His own record and the past achievements
of his Agency give us full confidence in the future opera-
tion of the Central Intelligence Agency with judgment, with
intelligence and above all with great public integrity."
Mr. Helms was born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 30 March 1913.
He attended Carteret Academy in Orange, New Jersey; Le Rosey School
in Ro11e~Gstaad, Switzerland; and the Realgymnasium of Freiburg
i~Breisgau, Germany. He wa,s graduated in 1935 from Williams College
where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While in college he was
- 2 -
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editor-in-chief of the ye arbook, GULIELMENSIAN, and also editor-
in-chief of the college newspaper, THE WIZLIAMS RECORD. He was
a correspondent in Europe for the United Press. Mr. Helms inter-
viewed Hitler, and his story "Hitler and Mars Incorporated" was
published in the INDIANAPOLIS TIMFS. In 1937 he joined the
Indianapolis Times Publishing Company and later became its
national advertising manager. Mr. Helms was a member of the
Literary Club iri Indianapolis.
During the winter of 1942, he was active in the public
relations efforts of the Navy Relief Society fund-raising drive
in New York City.
Mr. Helms was coIInnissioned Lieutenant (fig), United States
Naval Reserve on 1 July 1942. After attending Naval Training
School, Harvard University, he was assigned as Operations Officer,
Headquarters, Eastern Sea Frontier. In August, 1943 he was assigned
to the Office of Strategic Services and served in Washington, England,
France, and Germany.
Upon discharge from the United States Naval Reserve in 1946,
Mr. Helms was a civilian employee in the Strategic Services Unit,
War Department, ~lhich was the successor organization to a ma.~or
part of the Office of Strategic Services. He was employed there
until the establishment of the Central Intelligence Group, to which
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
he was transferred. He was then assigned to the Central
Intelligence Agency when it was established on 18 September 19+7.
In August of 1952 he was appointed by General Walter Bedell Smith,
then Director of Central Intelligence, as Deputy to the Deputy
Director for Plays. Cn 17 February 1962, he was appointed Deputy
Director for Plans by John A. McCone.
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 1! e ~~~~
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C ?'~ ~. n i ~. t ~ .,
RICHARD HELMS
The Directox of Central Intelligence
Richard McGarrah Helms became the Director of
Central Intelligence on 30 June 1966. He had been the
Deputy Director since 28 April 1965. He was originally
appointed by President Johnson on 18 June 1966, then on
16 December 1968 President-elect Nixon announced that he
would be retained.
On 7 March 1969 President Nixon visited the Cen-
tral Intelligence Agency to address its employees. He
stated on that occasion:
"It has been truly said that the CIA is
a professional organization. That is one of
the reasons that when the new administration
came in and many changes were made, as they
should be made in our American political system
after an election, and a change of parties, as
far as the executive branch is concerned, I did
not make a change.
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"I surveyed the field. I checked the
qualifications of all of the men, or, for that
matter, any women who might possibly be the
Director of the CIA. That could happen.
"But I concluded that Dick Helms was
the best man in the country to be the Director
of the CIA. and that is why we have him here."
Mr. Helms took the oath of office in 1966 in the
East Room, The White House, following his unanimous con-
firmation by the Senate, Lyndon B. Johnson, then Presi-
dent of the United States, said on that occasion:
"It is a very special pleasure to me, to
one who has spent thirty-five years in the Fed-
eral Government (not always under the protective
arm of the Secret Service or the Civil Service)
to see one of the high positions in this Govern-
ment filled by a man who has devoted his entire
career to the public service of his country.
Dick Helms, the man we are naming to this post,
is such a man.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
"Although he has spent more than twenty
years in public life attempting to avoid publicity,
he has never been able to conceal the fact that
he is one of the most trusted and most able and
most dedicated professional career men in this
Capitol. No man has ever come to this high crit-
ical office with better c{ualifications."
Mr. Helms was born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania,
30 March 1913. He attended Carteret Academy in Orange,
New Jersey; Le Rosey School in Rolle/Gstaad, Switzerland;
and the Realgymnasium of Freiburg i/Breisgau, Germany.
He was graduated in 1935 from Williams College where he
was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While in college he was
editor-in-chief of the yearbook, GULIELMENSIAN, and also
editor-in-chief of the college newspaper, THE WILLIAMS
RECORD. He was a correspondent in Europe for the United
Press. Mr. Helms interviewed Hitler, and his story "Hitler
and Mars Incorporated" was published in the INDIANAPOLIS
TIMES. In 1937 he joined the Indianapolis Times Publishing
Company and later became its national advertising manager.
Mr. Helms was a member of the Literary Club in Indianapolis.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
During the winter of 1942, he was active in the
public relations efforts of the Navy Relief Society fund-
raising drive in. New York City.
Mr. Helms was commissioned Lieutenant (j g), United
States Naval Reserve on 1 July 1942. After attending Naval.
Training School, Harvard University, he was assigned as
Operations Officer, Headquarters, Eastern Sea Frontier.
In August 1943 he was assigned to the Office of Strategic
Services and served in Washington, England, France, and
Germany.
Upon discharge from the United States Naval Reserve
in 1946, Mr. Helms was a civilian employee in the Strategic.
Services Unit, War Department, which was the successor
organization to a major part of the Office of Strategic
Services. He was employed there until the establishment
of the Central Intelligence Group, to which he was trans-
ferred. He was then assigned to the Central Intelligence
Agency when it was established on 18 September 1947. In
August of 1952 he was appointed by General Walter Bedell
Smith, then Director of Central Intelligence, as Deputy to
the Deputy Director for Plans. On 17 February 1962, he was
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appointed Deputy Director for Plans by Jahn A. McCone.
In 1965 he received the career service award of
the National Civil Service League.
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. STATINTt ~
RICI-{ARD HELMS
The Director of Central Intelligence
-___r_r._-- ____ __.__~
Richard McGarrah Helms became the Director of
Central Intelligence on 30 June 1966. He had been the
Deputy Director since 28 April 1965. He was originally
appointed by President Johnson on 18 June 1966, then on
16 December 1968 President-elect Nixon announced that he
would be retained.
Having been unanimously confirmed by the Senate,
Mr. Helms took the oath of office in the East Room, The
White House, fallowing remarks by Lyndon B. Johnson, the
President of the United States, who said on that occasion:
"It is a very special pleasure to me ~ to
one who has spent thirty-five years in the Federal
Government (not always under the protective arm
of the Secret Service or the Civil Service) to see
one of the high positions in this Government
filled by a man who has devoted his entire career
to the public service of his country. Dick Helms,
the man we are :naming to this post, is such a man.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
"Although he has spent more than twenty
years in public life attempting to avoid publicity,
h? has never been able to conceal the fact that he
is one of the most trusted and most able and most
dedicated professional career men in this Capital.
No man has evex come to this high critical office
with better qualifications,
"I~think it was Patrick Henry who said, 'The
battle is not to the strong alone, it is to the
vigilant and to the active and to the brave,' and
it is to Dick Helms and to the Agency that he will
now head that we must look for this vigilance. His
own record and the past achievements of his Agency
give us full confidence in the future operation of
the Central Intelligence Agency with judgment, with
intelligence and above all with great public
integrity .10
Mr, Helms was born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 30 March
1913. He attended Carteret Academy in Orange, New Jersey;
Le Rosey School in Rolle/Gstaad, Switzerland; and the
Realgymnasium of Freiburg i/Breisgau, Germany. He was
graduated in 1935 from Williams College where he was elected
Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIAZRDP91-009018000500120001-2
 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
to Phi Beta Kappa. While in college he was editox-in-
chief of the yearbook, GULIELMENSIAN, and also editor-
in-chief of the college newspaper, THE WILLIAMS RECORD.
He was a correspondent in Europe for the United Press. Mr.
Helms interviewed Hitler, anal his story "Hitler and Mars
Incorporated" was published in the INDIANAPOLIS TIMES.
In 1957 he joined the Indianapolis Times Publishing Company
and later became its national advertising manager. Mr, Helms
was a member of the Literary Club in Indianapolis.
During the winter of 1942, he was active in the public
relations efforts of the Navy Relief Society fund-raising
drive in New York City.
Mr. Helms was commissioned Lieutenant (j g), United
States Naval Reserve on 1 July 1942. After attending Naval
Training School, Harvard University, he was assigned as
Opexations Officer, Headquarters, Eastern Sea Frontier.
In August, 1943 he was assigned to the Office of Strategic
Services and served in Washington, England, France, and
Germany.
Upon discharge from the United States Naval Reserve
in 1946, Mr. Helms was a civilian employee in the Strategic
Services Unit, War Department, which was the successor
organization to a majox part of the Office of Strategic
Approved- For Release 2003/12/02 :-CI~--RDP91-009018000500.120001-2
 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
Services. Fle was employed there until the establishment
of the Central Intelligence Group, to which he was trans-
ferred. He was then assigned to the Central Intelligence
Agency when it was established an 18 September 1947. In
August of 1952 he was appainted by General Walter Bedell
Smith, then Director of Central Intelligence, as Deputy
to the Deputy Director for Plans. On l7 February 1962, he
was appointed Deputy Director for Plans by John A. McCane.
- 4 -
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STATINTL
r~-~~_ ~~
STATINTL
STATINTL
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STATINTL
The Director of Central Intelligence
Richard McG arrah Helms became the Director of Central
Intelligence on 30 June 1966. He had been the Deputy Director
since 28 April 1965. The oath of office was administered in
the East Room, The White House, following remarks by Lyndon B.
Johnson, the President of the United States. President Johnson
on 18 June 1966 had announced that Mr. Helms would be the new
Director and on 20 June he sent the nomination to the United States
Senate. Mr. Helms appeared before the Armed Services Committee in
a public hearing on 23 June and the Committee by unanimous vote
approved the nomination; on 28 June the Senate of the United States
unanimously confirmed the nomination.
On 30 June 1966 just prior to Mr. Helms taking the oath
of office in the East Room of The White House, President Johnson
said:
"It is a very special pleasure to me, to one ~iho has
spent thirty-five years in the Federal Government (not
always under the protective arm of the Secret Service or
the Civil_ Service) to see one of the high positions in
this Government filled by a man who has devoted his entire
Approved For Release 2003/12/02 :CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
 Approved For Release 2003/12/02 :CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
career to the public service of his country. Dick Helms,
the man we are naming to this post, is such a man.
"Although he has spent more than twenty ye ars in
public life attempting to avoid publicity, he has never
been able to conceal the fact that he is one of the most
trusted and most able and most dedicated professional career
men in this Capitol. No man has ever come to this high
critical office with better qualifications.
"I think it was Patrick Henry who said, TThe battle
is not to the strong alone, it is to the vigilant and to
the active and to 'the brave,' and it is to Dick Helms and
to the Agency that he will now head that we must look for
this vigilance. His own record and the past achievements
of his Agency give us full confidence in the future opera-
tion of the Central Intelligence Agency with judgment, with
intelligence and above all with great public integrity."
Mr. Helms wa,s born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 30 March 1913.
He attended Carteret Academy in Orange, New Jersey; Le Rosey School
in Ro11e~Gstaad, Switzerland; and the Realgymnasium of Freiburg
i~Breisgau, Germany. He was graduated in 1935 from Williams College
where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While in college he was
- 2 -
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02 :CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
editor-in-cYiief of the yearbook, GULIELMENSIAN, and also editor-
in-chief of the college newspaper, THE WILLIAMS RECORD. He was
a correspondent in Europe for the United Press. Mr. Helms inter-
viewed Hitler, and hia story "Hitler and Mars Incorporated" was
published in the INDIANAPOLIS TIMES. In 1937 he joined the
Indianapolis Times Publishing Company and later became its
national advertising manager. Mr. Helms was a member of the
Literary Club in Indianapolis.
During the winter of 19+2, he was active in the public
relations efforts of the Navy Relief Society fund-raising drive
in New York City.
Mr. Helms was commissioned Lieutenant (fig), United States
Naval Reserve on 1 July 19+2. After attending Naval Training
School, H arsrard University, he was assigned as Operations Officer,
Headquarters, Eastern Sea Frontier. In August, 19+3 he was assigned
to the Office of Strategic Services and served in Washington, England,
France, and Germany.
Upon discharge from the United States Naval Reserve in 1916,
Mr. Helms was a civilian employee in the Strategic Services Unit,
War Department, which was the successor organization to a major
part of the Office of Strategic Services. He was employed there
until the establishment of the Central Intelligence Group, to which
Approved For Release 2003/12/02 : CIA~RDP91-009018000500120001-2
 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
he was transferred. He was assigned to the Central
Intelligence Agency when it was established on 18 September 19k'7.
In August o:P 1952 he was appointed by General Walter Bedell Smitri,
then Director of Central Intelligence, as Deputy to the Deputy
Director for Plans. On 17 Feb ruary 1962, he was appointed Deputy
Director for Plans by John A. McCone.
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 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009011-6,9-5TOI~d$~.001-2
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Richard McGarrah Helms was selected Deputy Director of Central
Intelligence by President Johnson, who announced the appointment on
11 April 1965. The Senate confirmed his nomination and he was sworn
in at the same time as Admiral Raborn, who became Director. Mr. Helms
has been an intelligence officer for over twenty years, having been
with the CIA since its establishment in 19-7.
Mr. Helms was born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 30 March-1913. He
attended Carteret Academy in Orange, New Jersey; Le Rosey School in
Ro11e~Gstaad, Switzerland; and the Realgymnasium of Freiburg i~Breisgau
in Germany. He was graduated in 1935 from Williams College where he
was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. While in college he was editor-in-chief
of the yearbook, GULIELMENSIAN, and also editor-in-chief of the college
newspaper, THE WILLIANLS RECORD. He later became a correspondent for the
United Press in Europe. In this capacity, Mr. Helms interviewed Hitler,
and later his story "Hitler and Mars Incorporated" was published in the
INDIANAPOLIS TIMNS. In 1937 he joined the Indianapolis Times Publishing
Company and later became national advertising manager.: Mr. Helms alsq
was a member of the Literary Club in Indianapolis.
During the winter of 19+2, he was connected with the public relations
effort of the Navy Relief Society fund raising drive in New York City.
Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2.
 Approved For Release 2003/12/02: CIA-RDP91-009018000500120001-2
On 1 July 19.2 Mr. Helms was commissioned Lieutenant (,fig), United
States Naval Reserve, and after attending Naval Training School, Harvard
University, was assigned as Operations Officer, Headquarters, Eastern
Sea Frontier. In Au~.st of the following year he was assigned to the
Office of Strategic Services and saw service in Washington, England,
France, and Germany.
Upon discharge from the United States Naval Reserve in 19+6, Mr.
Helms was employed as a civilian in the Strategic Services Unit, War
Department, which was the successor organization to a mayor part of the
Office of Strategic Services. He was employed there until the establish-
ment of the Central Intelligence Group, to which he was transferred.
He was then assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency when it was
established on 18 September 19+7. In August of 1952 he was appointed
by General Walter Bedell Smith, then Director of Central Intelligence,
as Deputy to the Deputy Director for Plans. On 17 February 19x2, he was
appointed Deputy Director for Plans by John A. McCone.
Mr. Helms and Julia Bretzman Shields of Indianapolis, Indiana, were
married in 1939. Their family includes one son, and a son and a daughter
born to Mrs. Helms during a previous marriage.
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 ~GIA I.01 1-~e1MS, ~ichar~( IM.
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STATINTL
Richard McGarrah Helms was selected Deputy Director of Central
Intelligence by P~?esident Johnson, who announced the appointment on
11 April 1965. The Senate confirmed his nomination and he was sworn
in at the same time as Admiral Raborn, who became Director. Mr. Helms
has been an Intel"ligence officer for over twenty years, having been
with the CIA since its establishment in 19-7.
Mr. Helms was born in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 30 March 1913. He
attended Carteret Academy in Orange, New Jersey; Le Rosey School in
Rolle~Gstaad, Switzerland; and the Realgymnasium of Freiburg i~Breisgau
in Germany. He w ;`.: ,;, - ,, -0 J~ ~. #... C :f t i is f l fie` _ ~~ .?
1r-,~~,kr.t'j.: ~='i i. i~tt~~:f4i~:r,#~ L~~re-~;r `_?r;rvio~ ~~i~ard ,~aats ~1vi I
~. C'cl~a. G".v~~ ~;r,~~