History

Virginia Hall

Realizing a Goal

I got a job as a clerk in the American Embassy in Warsaw, but a hunting accident in Turkey resulted in the loss of my left leg and almost cost me the chance at this career. I wanted to take the exam that would make me a Foreign Service Officer--a diplomat--but I was turned down because of my leg. I refused to be held back and eventually found my way to England, where I joined the British Special Operations Executive. The British taught me about weapons, communications, resistance activities, and security measures. My first assignment was to establish a spy network in Vichy, France. I helped prisoners of war escape and kept contact with the French underground. I did this during 1941-42. When Germany overran France, I escaped through Spain, returning to England, where King George VI honored me with a Member of the Order of the British Empire--not bad for a girl from Baltimore!

Serving With the OSS . . .

In 1943 I joined General Donovan's Office of Strategic Services for more adventures with the French Resistance. I became proficient in Morse code and radio operation, which made me invaluable. During the day, I appeared to be a milkmaid. However, at night I directed the Resistance Forces under me in many acts of sabotage and guerilla warfare. I relayed important information from haylofts via my radio to London. I was always keeping ahead of the Gestapo, whose leaders knew of me and wanted me captured. I never gave them the opportunity, my spirit and devotion to the cause carried me on. At the war's end, my country rewarded my efforts with the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945, the only female civilian in the war to receive this nation's highest military honor after the Medal of Honor!

. . . and the CIA

My career didn't end here, I later went on to work for the CIA, serving in many capacities as one of the first female operations officers. My love for intelligence work and serving my country never ended; there was always something new to learn. It was a whole new world after World War II. In fact, I would've kept on going forever if it hadn't been for the then-mandatory retirement age! I look back with pride not only at what I have done for my country, but also at the work of those who followed after me. I look to the new achievements the next generation will accomplish as they carry the torch into the future, and I hope that they will follow my example and never let anything hold them back!


Sources:

Haines, Gerald K. "Virginia Hall Goillot, Career Intelligence Officer,"Prologue Quarterly of the National Archives. Vol. 26, No. 4 (Winter 1994): 249-260.

Index
History Introduction Page
Famous People
Historical Book List
CIA Exhibit Center
CIA Kids Page

[History Page] | [Famous People] | [Historical Book List] | [CIA Exhibit Center] | [CIA Kids Home Page]