U.S. History: Biographies

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military Further reading

Richard McGarrah Helms

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Richard McGarrah Helms 1913–2002, U.S. government official, b. St. Davids, Pa. In 1942, Helms joined the U.S. navy where he engaged in intelligence work for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). He was one of the architects of the legislation creating (1947) the OSS's successor, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and he became its chief expert on espionage operations. Helms served as both CIA deputy director (1965–66) and director (1966–73). The most controversial events overseen by Helms during his directorship were the Watergate affair and the U.S.-aided coup in Chile that overthrew Salvador Allende . Helms was later ambassador to Iran (1973–77). In 1977, Helms pleaded no contest to charges of failing to testify fully and accurately to a Senate committee about covert CIA activities.

Bibliography: See his autobiography (with W. Hood, 2003); biography by T. Powers (1979).

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Helms, Richard McGarrah

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | Copyright

Helms, Richard McGarrah (1913–2002) director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1966–73), born in St. David's, Pennsylvania. His tenure came under increased scrutiny and criticism for its role in fomenting coups and assassinations in foreign countries, as well as for Watergate-related intrigue. Helms was indicted for perjury before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for testimony denying CIA involvement in Chile; he pleaded no contest, was fined $2,000 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence. He was the first career intelligence officer to head the agency, and was also instrumental in its creation (1947).

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"Helms, Richard McGarrah." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Helms, Richard McGarrah." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-HelmsRichardMcGarrah.html

"Helms, Richard McGarrah." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-HelmsRichardMcGarrah.html

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