Frank Wisner
Frank Wisner | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Director of the CIA for Operations | |
| In office August 23 1951 – January 1 1959 | |
| President | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Preceded by | Allen Dulles |
| Succeeded by | Richard Bissell |
| Head of the Office of Policy Coordination | |
| In office 1 September 1948 – 23 August 1951 | |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Kilbourne Johnston |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frank Gardner Wisner June 23, 1909 Laurel, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 1965 (aged 56) Galena, Maryland, U.S. |
| Spouse | Mary Ellis Knowles |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia (BA, LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Battles/wars | |
Frank Gardiner Wisner (June 23, 1909 – October 29, 1965) was one of the founding officers of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and played a major role in CIA operations throughout the 1950s.
Wisner began his intelligence career in the Office of Strategic Services in World War II. After the war, he headed the Office of Policy Coordination (OPC), one of the OSS successor organizations, from 1948 to 1950. In 1950, the OPC was placed under the Central Intelligence Agency and renamed the Directorate of Plans. First headed by Allen Dulles, Wisner succeeded Dulles in 1951 when Dulles was named Director of Central Intelligence.
Wisner remained as Deputy Director of Plans (DDP) until September 1958, playing an important role in the early history of the CIA. He suffered a breakdown in 1958, and retired from the Agency in 1962. He committed suicide in 1965.