Helms Letter
A future director’s note to his son. As Americans celebrated victory in Europe in May 1945, Office of Strategic Services (OSS) officer Richard Helms wrote this touching and eloquent letter to his young son on ... More
Les Marguerites Fleuriront ce Soir - Flickr - The Central Intelligence...
Les Marguerites Fleuriront ce Soir (the daisies will bloom at night) by Jeffrey W. Bass Oil on Canvas, 2006 Donated by Richard J. Guggenhime When France fell under the Nazi boot in June 1940, Great Britain stoo... More
William J. Donovan’s Whistle
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Intrepid - Close View (NHB Lobby) - Flickr - The Central Intelligence ...
Prior to America's entry in WWII, Sir William Stephenson, a Canadian entrepreneur, headed the New York Office of British Security Coordination. It was Stephenson who pressed President Franklin Roosevelt to esta... More
William J. Donovan’s Desk - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Gen. Donovan used this desk while he was Director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII. OSS offices were located at 2430 E Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For more information on CIA history ... More
William J. Donovan’s Whistle - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agenc...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Eyeglass Case
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
A-12 OXCART Flight Suit Boots - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agen...
A-12 OXCART Flight Suit Boots. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
A-12 OXCART Flight Suit Gloves - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Age...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
Civil Air Transport Wicker Basket - Flickr - The Central Intelligence ...
Civil Air Transport (CAT) baskets were promotional handouts for CAT travelers. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
Concealed Compass - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
American servicemen going into harm’s way had a variety of ingenious places to hide small, even miniature, compasses for escape and evasion—in combs or razors, uniform buttons or, as seen here, in cufflinks. F... More
Office of Strategic Services Compass
This was used by an Office of Strategic Services (OSS) officer who served with OSS Detachment 202 in the China-Burma-India Theater. After first commanding an OSS base at Kunming, China, he then established a n... More
William J. Donovan’s Saddle Bag
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Afghan Saddle - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Joint CIA and US Military Special Forces teams inserted into Afghanistan found the local terrain challenging. The joint US teams and their Afghan military allies found local transportation networks offered oppo... More
Cast of a Few, Courage of a Nation - Flickr - The Central Intelligence...
by James Dietz, Oil on Canvas, 2008 Donated by Alan Seigrist and Christopher Exline Cast of a Few, Courage of a Nation commemorates the Intelligence Community’s collaborative paramilitary intelligence collect... More
D-21 Tagboard (1-48 Scale Model) - Flickr - The Central Intelligence A...
CIA developed the D-21 Drone for surveillance missions over enemy territory. It was launched from a modified A-12. The D-21's engine propelled it to speeds over 2,000 mph. During missions, the D-21 would follow... More
William J. Donovan’s Boot Hooks - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Ag...
Used to pull up tall cavalry boots. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
CIA Museum - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The CIA Museum was established in 1988 to give employees a sense of the unique history of their profession. This collection focuses on the CIA’s World War II predecessor, the Office of Strategic Services, to th... More
CIA Semi-Submersible - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency (1)
CIA designed and manufactured this two-man semi-submersible in the 1950s. It carried no weapons, was cramped, had limited endurance, and required a "mother ship" for transport and recovery. However, the vessel ... More
CIASemi-Submersible
CIA designed and manufactured this two-man semi-submersible in the 1950s. It carried no weapons, was cramped, had limited endurance, and required a "mother ship" for transport and recovery. However, the vessel ... More
Civil Air Transport Bottle - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
This Taiwan Tobacco and Wine Monopoly bottle contained medicinal wine (intended for a strong and healthy heart) that was served on some CAT flights. For more information on CIA history and this artifact pleas... More
George H.W. Bush at CIA HQ (24401201150)
CIA Welcomes Former President George H.W. Bush Back to CIA to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Swearing-in as Director of Central Intelligence January 29, 2016
William J. Donovan’s Duffle Bag - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Ag...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Razor and Case
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Afghan Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency (1)
Through the exemplars of OSS and Operation Enduring Freedom unconventional warfare tradecraft and technologies, “On the Front Lines: The CIA in Afghanistan” presents artifacts and images relating to the global... More
Distinguished Service Cross, William Donovan, WWI - Flickr - The Centr...
William J. Donovan –Director of the Office of Strategic Services – received one of our countries highest honors while a lieutenant colonel with the 165th Infantry. On July 28-31, 1918 Donovan led his battalion... More
Languages of Afghanistan on modern Tyvek Blood Chit - Flickr - The Cen...
Blood chits are carried to request aid from people in enemy territory. An unspecified reward is promised to anyone helping the person to safety. This blood chit is made of waterproof Tyvek for use in Afghanis... More
Special Operations Forces Laser Marker (SOFLAM) - Flickr - The Central...
US Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan used the AN/PEQ-1A SOFLAM to direct exact delivery of ordnance. The SOFLAM was an important tool in the battle for Tora Bora where a CIA US Special Forces team direc... More
William J. Donovan’s Razor and Case - Flickr - The Central Intelligenc...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Mirror and Case
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Woodsman's Pal Knife
An essential part of the survival kit for American forces in the Philippines, China and Burma, this knife was ideal for cutting through jungle brush. It also had potential as a combat knife—its manufacturer pro... More
Blood Chit - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Blood chits are carried to request aid from people in enemy territory. An unspecified reward is promised to anyone helping the person to safety. This blood chit is made of waterproof Tyvek for use in Afghanis... More
Pan Am 103 Lapel Pin - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
This pin was designed by the widow of one of the victims of Pan Am 103. It is given to the victim’s family members and supporters by Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. This group is made up of family members ... More
William J. Donovan’s Boots - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan wore these boots during his pre-World War I service with the New York National Guard Calvary Troop. For more information on CIA history and this artifact ... More
William J. Donovan’s Metal Match Case - Flickr - The Central Intellige...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Saddle Blanket - Flickr - The Central Intelligenc...
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan’s 165th Infantry saddle blanket from WWI. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Desk
Gen. Donovan used this desk while he was Director of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during WWII. OSS offices were located at 2430 E Street, NW, in Washington, DC....For more information on CIA history ... More
Al-Qa’ida Training Manual
In 2001, US intelligence officers picked up this al-Qa’ida training manual outside Kandahar, Afghanistan. The officers found the manual while searching the ruins of a suspected chemical processing site. US ordn... More
FBIS Central Eurasia Program Mongolian Typewriter - Flickr - The Centr...
A Mongolian typewriter used on the Central Eurasia Program of FBIS during the 1950s. For more information on CIA history and this painting please visit www.cia.gov
OSS Escape and Evasion Map - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Printed on silk, which is durable, this map doesn’t rustle at night and can be folded up very compactly to be more easily concealed. The map is printed with waterproof dyes so the colors would not run if it got... More
OSS Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Gallery features the personal effects reflecting the career of Maj. Gen. William J. Donovan, the head of OSS, as well as numerous examples of OSS tradecraft (much of which... More
OSS Pin - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
To provide identification of the members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), General William J. Donovan arranged for the design and manufacture of insignia and made them available to former members of OS... More
William J. Donovan’s Saddle Bag - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Ag...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Belt
Belt from the New York National Guard Calvary Trooper’s dress uniform of Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan...For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( ... More
Afghan Hat - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
A gift from Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to former DCI George Tenet. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
BodywornSurveillanceEquipment
An intelligence officer’s clothing, accessories, and behavior must be as unremarkable as possible — their lives (and others’) may depend on it. This is a responsibility that operational artisans, technicians, a... More
CaltropTireSpikeCIA
No matter how the caltrop is tossed, it will land with one of its four prongs up. Whatever rolls over it will be punctured or injured. They are effective when left along enemy roadways or airport runways.
Civil Air Transport Souvenir Bag - Flickr - The Central Intelligence A...
CAT travelers received flight bags as complementary gifts. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
DCI Allen W. Dulles’s Stamps - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agenc...
Former OSS officer Allen W. Dulles was the longest serving DCI from 1953 to 1961. To many, this period was the “Golden Age” of the CIA, for it was under Dulles that the Agency matured and developed its charact... More
William J. Donovan’s Ammunition Clip and Case - Flickr - The Central I...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Mirror and Case - Flickr - The Central Intelligen...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
William J. Donovan’s Monogrammed Leather Shoulder Bag
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
A-12 Suit - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
A-12 pilots wore a type of protective pressure suit with thermal insulation, pressure control, cooling, and a life support system. The suit offered protection from heat radiating through the windshield and from... More
Afghan Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Through the exemplars of OSS and Operation Enduring Freedom unconventional warfare tradecraft and technologies, “On the Front Lines: The CIA in Afghanistan” presents artifacts and images relating to the global... More
Air America Formal Pilot Hat - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agenc...
During the Vietnam War, Air America, a CIA proprietary airline, flew a variety of missions in the Far East. These missions ranged from undercover CIA operations to overt air transportation. The Republic of Viet... More
Al-Qa’ida Training Manual - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
In 2001, US intelligence officers picked up this al-Qa’ida training manual outside Kandahar, Afghanistan. The officers found the manual while searching the ruins of a suspected chemical processing site. US ordn... More
CIA Semi-Submersible - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
CIA designed and manufactured this two-man semi-submersible in the 1950s. It carried no weapons, was cramped, had limited endurance, and required a "mother ship" for transport and recovery. However, the vessel ... More
Concealment Device (Modified Ladies Make-Up Compact) - Flickr - The Ce...
A code is a system of communication in which groups of symbols represent words. Codes may be used for brevity or security. Here, a code is concealed inside the mirror of a lady's make-up compact. By tilting the... More
Concealment Device (Modified Ladies Make-Up Compact) - Flickr - The Ce...
A code is a system of communication in which groups of symbols represent words. Codes may be used for brevity or security. Here, a code is concealed inside the mirror of a lady's make-up compact. By tilting the... More
Enigma Machine - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency (1)
During World War II, the Germans used the Enigma, a cipher machine, to develop nearly unbreakable codes for sending messages. The Enigma's settings offered 150,000,000,000,000,000,000 possible solutions, yet th... More
William J. Donovan’s Uniform Jacket - Flickr - The Central Intelligenc...
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan wore this jacket during World War I when he was with the 165th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Division—renamed from the renowned "Fighting 69th" of New York’... More
William J. Donovan’s Metal Match Case
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Admiral Calland’s Desert Combat Uniform Top - Flickr - The Central Int...
Vice Adm. Albert “Bert” M. Calland III was the first US military flag officer to set foot in Afghanistan in 2001. He served as commander of all Special Operations Forces for US Central Command during Operation ... More
Bodyworn Surveillance Equipment - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Ag...
An intelligence officer’s clothing, accessories, and behavior must be as unremarkable as possible — their lives (and others’) may depend on it. This is a responsibility that operational artisans, technicians, a... More
Continental Air Service's Pilatus Turbo Porter Landing Up Country in L...
Keith Woodcock Oil on Canvas, 2010 Donated Courtesy of Owen Lee Gossett Continental Air Service, Inc. (CASI) provided essential contract flying during the war in Southeast Asia in support of the CIA and other U... More
DI Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
In November 2002, the Directorate of Intelligence (DI) and the CIA Museum opened the only exhibit on intelligence analysis in the country to commemorate the DI’s 50th anniversary. Some of the unique items displ... More
E Street Complex Sign with CIA Seal - Flickr - The Central Intelligenc...
“2430 E St. NW” was the address of the original CIA Headquarters located in Washington, D.C., in the E Street complex that had been used by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. The E Stre... More
Miniature Volume of Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago - Flickr - The Central ...
Copy of the original Russian-language edition of Doctor Zhivago, covertly published by the CIA. The front cover and the binding identify the book in Russian; the back of the book states that it was printed in ... More
StereoscopeAndCase
The stereoscope was used during World War II. This tool helped allied photo interpreters, who analyzed images of enemy territory taken by airplane-mounted cameras, to view the film in 3-Dimension.
U-2PressureSuitHelmet
This is a S-1010 pressure suit for an U-2R plane. High-altitude pilots wear pressure suits as protection from cockpit depressurization. At altitudes above 63,000 feet without artificial air pressure, human bloo... More
William J. Donovan’s Eyeglass Case - Flickr - The Central Intelligence...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
Office of Strategic Services Escape & Evasion Knife
This knife was used by British and American demolitionists during WWII. A member of an Office of Strategic Services Jedburgh team carried this on his first mission as he parachuted into Nazi-occupied France...... More
William J. Donovan’s Boots
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan wore these boots during his pre-World War I service with the New York National Guard Calvary Troop....For more information on CIA history and this artifact ... More
Bodyworn Surveillance Equipment - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Ag...
An intelligence officer’s clothing, accessories, and behavior must be as unremarkable as possible — their lives (and others’) may depend on it. This is a responsibility that operational artisans, technicians, a... More
Civil Air Transport Cigarette Lighter - Flickr - The Central Intellige...
This Civil Air Transport (CAT) lighter is from the Hong Kong-to-Bangkok inaugural flight of Civil Air Transport on July 20, 1957. For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
Civil Air Transport Picture - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
This graphic is from one of the Tang Horse calendars published by CAT. It is a reproduction of a stone rubbing of a miniature replica of one of the six bas-reliefs adorning the entrance to the tomb of Emperor ... More
Cold War Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The Cold War Gallery is located near the Original Headquarters Building main lobby. The staff of the Center for the Study of Intelligence, working in collaboration with collector and historian H. Keith Melton, ... More
DS^T Gallery - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
“The Directorate of Science & Technology — People & Technology In the Service of Freedom” commemorates the 40th Anniversary of the DS&T (established in 1963) and provides a glimpse into this secret world. The i... More
M-209 - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The M-209 is a mechanical cipher device. Designed by Boris Hagelin, the machine was widely used by the U.S. Army during World War II. Compact and portable, it used a series of rotors to encode and decode secret... More
President Eisenhower Trowel - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The CIA celebrated the construction of its new headquarters building with a cornerstone ceremony on Nov. 3, 1959. This trowel was used by President Eisenhower to lay the cornerstone. For more information on... More
Office of Strategic Services Blood Chit
This silk blood chit was issued for use by the Office of Strategic Services in the China-Burma-India Theater. Written in several native languages, it reads, “This foreign person (American) has come to China to... More
William J. Donovan’s Uniform Jacket
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan wore this jacket during World War I when he was with the 165th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Division—renamed from the renowned "Fighting 69th" of New York’... More
William J. Donovan’s Saddle Blanket
Office of Strategic Services Director William Donovan’s 165th Infantry saddle blanket from WWI....For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
William J. Donovan’s Boot Hooks
Used to pull up tall cavalry boots....For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov ( http://www.cia.gov )
Air America Cap - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
During the Vietnam War, Air America, a CIA proprietary airline, flew a variety of missions in the Far East. These missions ranged from undercover CIA operations to overt air transportation. The Republic of Viet... More
CAT Notepad - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
Given as a souvenir to guests on CAT’s Mandarin Jet, this notepad includes a calendar from 1967. For more information on CIA history and these artifacts please visit www.cia.gov
DragonflyInsectothopter
Developed by CIA’s Office of Research and Development in the 1970s, this micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was the first flight of an insect-sized aerial vehicle (Insectothopter). It was an initiative to expl... More
MinoxCamera
Walter Zapp, a Latvian engineer, developed a portable camera that would fit easily into the palm of the hand and yet take high quality, spontaneous pictures. The Minox subminiature camera, in its various models... More
One-Time Pads - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
One-time pads (OTP) are used to encode/decode agent communications. They are issued in matching sets of two: one for the encoder and one for the decoder, and no two pages are alike. Each sheet contains a rando... More
OSS Patch - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
The patch was designed by General William J. Donovan, founder of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), as the insignia for OSS. This patch is thought to be one worn by a CIA courier and based on Donovan’s OSS... More
William J. Donovan’s Monogrammed Leather Shoulder Bag - Flickr - The C...
For more information on CIA history and this artifact please visit www.cia.gov
“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” - Flickr - The Central Intelligence Agency
“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” was a television show on NBC in the mid-1960s. The fictitious international law-enforcement agency, U.N.C.L.E., worked to protect the world from sinister forces like Thrush, another fa... More