“We stand before these 140 stars not only with gratitude but with reverence for our fallen heroes. We’ll never forget their sacrifice. We’ll never forget their devotion.”

CIA Director William Burns

May 23 2023

May 25 2023 — On May 23 2023, the Central Intelligence Agency held its annual memorial ceremony to pay tribute to the men and women of the CIA who have died in the line of duty. One star was added to the Memorial Wall this year. 

The Memorial Wall now has 140 stars. Before 9/11, the number of stars per year was 78/54 = 1.4. After 9/11, the rate greatly increased. Actually it doubled to 62/22 = 2.9. What can possibly explain this inflation? Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

RELATED POST: CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony — May 22 2017

RELATED POST: CIA — Memorial Ceremony 2018

RELATED POST: CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony [May 21 2019]

RELATED POST:  CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 21 2019) — [UPDATE : 135 STARS?]

RELATED POST: The CIA Memorial Wall — The First 78 Stars

RELATED POST : CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 25 2021)

RELATED POST : CIA Memorial Wall — A quick note about the 37 classified stars

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A special page  “CIA Book of Honor” has been created. This will allow you to find easily the references to the stars we have already written about. I will try to keep this page up to date.

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On May 23 2023, the Central Intelligence Agency held its annual Memorial Ceremony to remember, honor, and celebrate the courageous CIA officers who died serving their country.

This year, the CIA added one star to the Memorial Wall, honoring Jon Evans, a medical doctor who was killed in a plane crash in Southwest Asia in 1969. This addition brings the total number of stars to 140.

Jon Price Evans was born and raised in Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Temple University Medical School in 1942 and went on to serve as an Army physician during World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

During his military career, he also served as a medical officer for the CIA, where he worked alongside the Iranian and Korean military. In 1967 he retired from the Army as a Colonel and began his work for the State Department as their Southeast Asia medical officer.

On January 5, 1969, Evans was killed while on orders, along with three others, when his chartered DC-3 airliner suffered mechanical problems and crashed in northern Thailand while en route to Vientiane, Laos. His wife Dorothea was also onboard and survived the crash. He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

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

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

September 2020 — ??? 2 new stars; 135 stars ???

May 25 2021 — 4 new stars; 137 stars

May 23 2022 — 2 new stars; 139 stars

May 23 2023 — 1 new star; 140 stars

REFERENCES

CIA Honors Its Fallen at Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 25 2021) — CIA Website

Star 136 — Twitter : https://twitter.com/vcdgf555/status/1331861995876859905

CIA Honors Fallen Officers in Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 23 2022) — CIA Website

CIA Honors Fallen Officers in Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 23 2023) — CIA Website

According to the CIA, “Inclusion on the Memorial Wall is awarded posthumously to employees who lose their lives while serving their country in the field of intelligence. Death may occur in the foreign field or in the United States. Death must be of an inspirational or heroic character while in the performance of duty; or as the result of an act of terrorism while in the performance of duty; or as an act of premeditated violence targeted against an employee, motivated solely by that employee’s Agency affiliation; or in the performance of duty while serving in areas of hostilities or other exceptionally hazardous conditions where the death is a direct result of such hostilities or hazards.” Of the 140 stars, 39 remain classified and forever unknown.

CIA Adds Another Star to its Memorial Wall, Bringing Total to 140 — ATLAS NEWS

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CIA Honors its Fallen in Annual Memorial Ceremony (May 23 2023)

“This year (2021) marks the beginning of a somber chapter in the legacy of the Memorial Wall. The Agency carved new stars for the first time above the inscription.”