“Whoever fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

Beyond Good and Evil

Friedrich Nietzsche

November 25 2024 — “Silent Stars: The Fallen Heroes of the CIA” will be available as an eBook on Amazon Kindle next month, just in time for the Winter Solstice, which also marks the anniversary of the Lockerbie tragedy. I am making this announcement today in memory of CIA paramilitary officer Mike Spann, a member of the CIA’s ALPHA Team, who was killed on November 25, 2001, during an uprising at Qali-Jangi prison in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. The title of my book is inspired by his nickname: “Silent Mike.” Follow us on Twitter: @INTEL_TODAY

RELATED POST: The CIA Book of Honor — Star 78 : Tucker Gougelmann

RELATED POST: The CIA Book of Honor — Star 79 : Johnny Micheal Spann (March 1, 1969 – November 25, 2001) [First CIA STAR Post 9/11]

RELATED POST: The CIA Book of Honor — Star 80 : Helge Philipp Boes

RELATED POST: The CIA Book of Honor — Star 81 : Gregg Wenzel

RELATED POST: The CIA Book of Honor — Stars 82 & 83 : Christopher Glenn Mueller and William “Chief” Carlson

In July 1974, the CIA unveiled its Memorial Wall to honor 31 officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. By 2024, that number has grown to 140. Of these, the CIA has released the names of 106 fallen officers, while the identities of 34 remain shrouded in secrecy—even in death.

Why This Book?

As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Memorial Wall, it is fitting to reflect on the lives of those it honors and on the profound transformation of the CIA over the decades. Despite the public’s fascination with the Agency and its history, information about the Memorial Wall and the Book of Honor has remained elusive.

This book systematically examines each star etched on the Memorial Wall, becoming an invaluable resource for both amateur and professional historians. It provides, for the first time, a clear picture of what remains classified.

Rather than detailing each officer’s life story, this book seeks to answer fundamental questions:

Who is honored by each star?

Where and when did the individual die?

What was the officer’s mission?

Why did they make the ultimate sacrifice?

Whenever possible, links to bibliographical references are provided at the end of each section to encourage readers to delve deeper into areas of personal interest. Above all, the aim of this work is to honor the legacies of those recognized on the Wall, balancing integrity and respect with the challenges of classified information.

Structure of the Book

The 140 stars on the CIA Memorial Wall represent an extensive and profound history, making it practical to divide the material into three volumes, each exploring distinct eras of the Agency:

Volume I: The First 31 Stars (1947–1974)

Covering the earliest sacrifices from the CIA’s inception through 1974, this volume examines key moments such as the Korean War, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Vietnam War. These formative years were instrumental in shaping the CIA’s identity. The 31 stars discussed were attributed in July 1974, and are numbered chronologically by date of death, with ties broken alphabetically by family name.

Volume II: From 1974 to September 11, 2001 (Stars 32–78)

This period encompasses the Agency’s evolution amidst increased oversight, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of global terrorism. The stars are numbered chronologically by date of death, but cross-referenced with their official star numbers for clarity.

Volume III: Post-September 11, 2001 (Stars 79–140)

Focusing on the CIA’s role in the “War on Terror” and modern conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, this volume reflects the significant growth of the Memorial Wall in recent decades. Stars are numbered in accordance with the Agency’s custom of attribution by year.

“How can America save face with this when we made promises that we don’t keep. By leaving Afghanistan, we’ve been defeated. We’re just handing it over to the Taliban.”
Johnny Spann — Father of CIA officer Mike Spann
(Aug. 16 2021)

About the Title

The inspiration for the title Silent Stars comes from Johnny Micheal “Mike” Spann, the first American killed in combat during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Spann, honored with the 79th star on the Memorial Wall, was a paramilitary officer known to his colleagues as “Silent Mike” for his calm demeanor and quiet professionalism.

Spann’s legacy, like those of his fellow honorees, represents bravery, sacrifice, and dedication to service. It is in their honor that this book seeks to illuminate the human stories behind the stars.

References

Johnny Micheal Spann — Wikipedia

Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Johnny Micheal Spann — CIA website

DCIA Haspel Visits Auburn University — CIA Website

=

New Book — Silent Stars: The Fallen Heroes of the CIA