ORIGINAL CIA SEAL RETURNS TO AGENCY

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06902716
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-02358
• Publication Date: May 14, 1998

6/15/2021 Approved for Release: 2022/01/10 C06902716vN#523a8)
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(U) Original CIA Seal Returns to Agency (WN#523a8)
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On May 14, 1998 @ 12:00 am
UNCLASSIFIED
(U) Original CIA Seal Returns to Agency
In a ceremony on May 4, former DCI and Ambassador Richard Helms
presented DCI George Tenet with the original CIA Seal, signed by President
Harry Truman.
Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence, reminded the
audience that the 1947 National Security Act, which established the Agency,
also authorized the DCI to commission an official Agency seal. It was
designed and painted by the Heraldic Branch of the Quartermaster General's
Office in the Department of the Army. President Truman approved the now
familiar design in an Executive Order on February 17, 1950, signed several
copies of the seal at a ceremony at the White House, and presented a copy to
DCI Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter. The seal hung in the offices of DCIs from Walter
Bedell Smith to Richard Helms. The seal was inadvertently packed in Helms'
belongings by his staff when he was leaving office. It has since been reframed
and restored.
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(U) Former DCI Richard Helms presents DCI George Tenet with the original CIA Seal.
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Approved for Release: 2022/01/10 C06902716
6/15/2021 Approved for Release: 2022/01/10 C06902716vN#523a8)
Ambassador Helms, speaking "in the interests of truthful history," traced the
location of the seal as it passed through various offices of the DCI and DDCI
during the years. DCI Tenet noted that "this is a bit of history important for
everyone," and vowed to return it to its traditional place.
(This is UNCLASSIFIED.)
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Approved for Release: 2022/01/10 C06902716