“IN HONOR OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY”

Memorial at the CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia

“For anyone who wants to understand the essence of the CIA, one need look no further than this hallowed wall. These stars, and the memories they hold, will forever inspire and sustain us as we carry on the work to which those whose stars find lasting peace in this finely chiseled constellation devoted their lives.”

 Director John O. Brennan — CIA annual ceremony (May 23 2016)

September 12 2019 — Currently, there are 133 stars carved into the marble of the CIA Memorial Wall; 93 are unclassified. Who are those men and women? When did they die? Why are they honored by a star?  Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

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In 1974,  the CIA dedicated the Memorial Wall with 31 stars in 1974 to honor those who had fallen since the Agency’s founding in 1947.

Since the attacks of September 11 2001, 55 stars have been added to the Book of Honor and the Memorial Wall.

During the 2016 CIA Memorial Ceremony, four stars were added to the Wall, bringing the total then to 117.

The four officers added to the Wall were James “Pete” McCarthy (1954), Marcell Rene Gough (1965), Ksawery “Bill” Wyrozemski (1967) and  Charles Mayer (1968).

All four were killed in either training or travel accidents.

According to a  CIA spokesman, the selection criteria for the Memorial Wall have evolved since its creation in 1974.

The four newest honorees were put forward by the Honor and Merit Awards Board, which regularly reviews its records for potential additions.

All additions to the Wall must be approved by the CIA director. John Brennan approved these four names.

NB. When the CIA honors several officers with a star during the same ceremony, I have no way of knowing the star number of a given individual. In this series,  I will assume that — in such case — the stars are ranked according to the year of death.

Star 116 : Ksawery “Bill” Wyrozemski (1967)

Ksawery “Bill” Wyrozemski, an air operations officer who died in a vehicle accident in Africa in support of operations in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1967.

Ksawery “Bill” Wyrozemski (C. 1939)

Bill was born in Poland amid the chaos of the First World War.

During the Second World War, Bill joined a Royal Air Force fighter squadron staffed by Polish pilots, and he flew Spitfires and P-51 Mustangs right up through the Allies’ victory in 1945.

With the advent of the Cold War, Bill brought his talent and expertise in aerial warfare to CIA.

Former CIA Director Richard Helms said Bill “was a man who, better than most, knew the meaning of freedom.”  [CIA Website]

Cuban pilot Juan Peron (Left) and “Big Bill” Wyrozemski (Right)

“There was one tragic postscript to the rescue effort. Several months after the February crash, “Big Bill” was transferred to Albertville on the Congo’s eastern border.

Shortly after his arrival, he was concerned about a possible rebel force moving toward Albertville from the west, and Bill got approval from Leopoldville to make a short reconnaissance of the area.

He had been instructed not to go alone, but no one else was readily available. Returning to Albertville, he was killed when his Land Rover was hit head on by a Congolese Army truck speeding on the wrong side of the narrow road.

Juan piloted the transport plane that brought Bill’s body back to Leopoldville.”  [Richard L. Holm ]

TIMELINE

July 1974 — The Memorial Wall is created; 31 stars chiseled into the marble.

1987 —  First Memorial Ceremony is held with Deputy Director Robert M. Gates presiding;  number of stars on the wall has grown to 50.

1997 — 70 stars, 29 of which had names

2002 — 79 stars

2004 — 83  stars

2009 — 90  stars

2013 — 107  stars

2014 — 111  stars

May 2015 — 113 stars

May 23 2016 — 117  stars

May 2017 — 8 new stars; 125 stars chiseled into the wall

May 2018 — 4 new stars; 129 stars

May 2019 — 4 new stars; 133 stars

REFERENCES

CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony — May 24 2016

Ksawery Wyrożemski — Wikipedia

A Close Call in Africa — A Plane Crash, Rescue, and Recovery by Richard L. Holm — CIA Website

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The CIA Book of Honor — Star 116 : Ksawery “Bill” Wyrozemski (1967)