VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM FRANCIS RABORN, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY (RET) TO BE NOMINATED BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON AS DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00001R000100070038-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 25, 2000
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: April 12, 1965
• Content Type: BM

Approved For Release 2000/06/13 : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000100070038-9
VICE ADMIRAL WILLIAM FRANCIS RABORN, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY (Ret)
To Be Nominated by President Johnson as DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
William Francis Raborn, Jr., United States Navy (Retired) will be
nominated to the Senate for Director of Central Intelligence,. President
Johnson announced yesterday (11 April 1965) in Texas. When confirmed,
he will be the third Naval officer to be Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency.
Admiral Raborn is a scientist, a proved administrator, a skilled
organizer, a cammand Naval officer who has been a combat avaitor, and has
served on destroyers and at gunnery schools. He devQop the Navy's
Polaris missile and ti eponsib3-en'or?,developing the Navy's fleet
ballistic missile system. He was retired from the Navy on 1 September 1963
and became vice president for program-management of the Aerojet General
Corporation in California.
With the successful firing of the Polaris in 1960 from the Fleet Ballistic
Missile Submarine "George Washington?B, Adl .F rrTl'clar
The United States Navy relates Admiral Raborn's biography as follows:
sent to President Eisenhower'
] Polaris, from out of the deep to targeto Perfect"
Get a,1 t,X
Approved For Release 2000106/1.3 _:._CJ_A-RDP75-00001 R0001S ZQO3B-9___.
 William Francis Raborn, Jr., was born on June 0, 1905 in Decatur, Texas,,,,-;..
son of r`dtclbihaL~d~~~tt''~d
gr. adc~g~id dcR~f ~%' 1~M~
the U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis,'Maryland, by Senator Elmer Thomas of
hems, in 1924. While a Midshpman he participated in tennis acid boxing.
Graduated and commissioned Ensign on June 7, 1920, he subsequently advanced - to
the rank of Captain, to date from March 25, 1945. His selection for the rams " '?
of Rear Admiral was approved by the President on July 25, 1955, his date of
rank January 1, 1956 and was later promoted to Vice Admiral, his date of rank
September 1, 1960.
,ffl
Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1928, he had gunnery duty
`aboard the USS TEXAS until December 1932, after which he had consecutive duty t,
in the destroyers' TWIGGS and DICIERSON until June 1933. Completing flight
training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida, he was designated ITaval`r'.
Aviator on April 16, 1934, and in June of that year ,joined Fighting Squadron
FIVE based aboard the USS LEXINGTON. While in that assignment he participated
..n the Experimental Cold Weather cruise to Alaska aboard the USS RANGER in
January 1936. He continued duty with Fighting Squadron FIVE-until June 1936,
and for a year thereafter.se::vod with Fighting Squadrons TEN and ELEVEN aboard
the USS PORTLAND.
Returning to the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, in June 1937, he served as
an Instructor with Training Squadron FIVE, folidued by successive duty with
Patrol Squadron ELEVEN and Patrol Wing ONE. In August 1942 he reported as
Officer in Charge of the Free Gunnery School, U, S. Naval Air Station, Kaneoha
-.'.`
Bay, T. H., and for services in that assignment received a Letter of Commando
tion, with authorization to wear the Commendation Ribbon, from. the Cotximdcr in
Chief, U. S..Pacific Fleet, which follows in part:
For meritorious service in the line of his profession as Officer in
Oharge of the Aviation Free Gunnery School ...du_-ng the period from December
10, 1941 to March 29, 1943. (Uc) initiated, developed and organized the Avia-',-`'.
tion Free Gunnery School in the Hawaiian area under difficult conditions pro- _+`
;, ` viding instructions to combat crows from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps whoso;
operations against the enemy have proved to be highly successful, thereby
,'a} rendering a direct and important contribution to the war effort."
?? C f
Assigned next to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for
Air, he served as Head of the Aviation Gunnery Training in the Training Divi-','Z"(.',
lion, from March 1943 to the fall of 1944, after which he joined the USS BAIT-
COCK as Executive Officer. For meritorious service in that carrier, he was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V," the Silver Star Medal, and is
',..'entitled to the Ribbon for and facsimile of the Ilavy Unit Commendation atuarded,:Y
the officers and men of the.HAI1COCK. The citations follow in part:
Bronze Star Medalt 'Tor meritorious achievement as Executive Officer of ."
the USS HANCOCK during operations against enemy Japanese forces.in the Philip-
pine Islands, the', South China Sea Jima, Okinawa and the,, Japanese Homeland
D)!' from .,Novembers 30, 1944 to September l 1945. r"; 1Demonstr:ating outstanding abL1ity91
~. :~ ~' Y :i_--'S1b
.l., ,le? r. ..., ... ?+; r. :.._,. ..~.. :1 .....;{1, }} 47 .{ i .:.6 -. b} ,.9,br a .f..M .. ....... _
 Approved For Release 200,0/0C/TS' : CIA-RDP75-00001 R000100070038-
Captain Raborn kept his officers and men efficiently organized, trained and
ready for combat during these campaigns, thereby contributing materially to
their outstanding record with carriers of the Pleat.,."
Silver Star Medal: "Tor conspicuous gall..ntry and intrepidity as Executive;
Officer of the USS HANCOCK ::.n action against enemy Japanese forces in the vi-'
cinity of the Nansei Islands on April 7, 1945. When an enemy bomb exploded on
the flight deck on his ship, (he) actively supervised the fire fighting and
damage.control units despite the blinding smoke and large fires that were
threatening ammunition on and around the flight deck...(and) rendered invalu-
able assistance to his commanding officer...and contributed in large measure
;:to the saving of his ship from further damage..."
r Navy Unit Commendation - USS- HANCOCK: "For outstanding heroism in action''
against enemy Japanese forces in the air, ashore and afloat in the Pacific war,.
area from October 10, 1944 to August 15, 1945. dperating continuously in the.,
most forward areas, the USS HMICOCK and her groups struck crushing blows to-
ward annihilating Japanese fighting power...Dari~g and dependable in combat,
the HMCOCK with her gallant officer and men rendered loyal service in achiev
ing the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire.".
For two years., June 1945 - June 1947 he served as Chief of Staff'to Com-
mander Task Force THIRTY EIGHT and Commander Carrier Division TWO (USS PRINCE-'
TON, Flagship) in the, Western Pacific. He not had duty as Operations Officex
on the staff of Commander Fleet Air, West Coast, with headquarters in San ='?;?
:Diego, California, and in July 1949.was assigned to the Bureau of Ordnance,
:.:1avy Department, Washington, D, C. In July 1950 he assumed command of. the USS
BAIROKO and for "meritorious service* (in that command) while that vessel was
Formosa from November 29, 1950 to August 1, 1951..." he was awarded a Gold
Star in lieu of a Second Bronze Star Medal. The citation continues in part:
"Charged with the responsibility of organizing a crew of officers and.mon
capable of conducting around-the-clock "Hunter Killer" operations, Captain
Reborn was highly successful in effectively coordinating his units into a
smoothly functioning team. A capable and inspiring leader, he was directly
instrumental in further developing the efficient operations of his ship dur?fng'
training exercises and in weld:.ng his command nto an effective unit capable
''of carrying out unlimited combat operations..."
From August 1951 to June 1952' he attended the Naval War College, Newport,'
Rhode Island, and the next month reported as Assistant Director of the Guided
I?iissiles Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department.
Ile continued to serve there until April 1954, when he assumed command of the
USS BENNINGTON. He received a Letter of Commendation,' with authorization-to
wear the Bronze Star in lieu of a Second Commendation Ribbon; for "meritorious
conduct as Commanding Officer of the USS BENNINGTON (CVA-20), when that vessel.-
experienced a series of violent explosions. while conducting air operations
seventy five miles south of Newport, Rhode Island, on Hay,26, 1954. With fire's
ship and causing death or, Injury.; to 220officers; and men, , Captain Raborn i;:
 v, Adip%ovedtFrrigeJ 4?;eJtOOO/b6/1S : CIA-R'DP75-00001 R0001000-AQ3$}9'.
s:sillfully and efficiently directed the efforts of personnel in clearing the
flight deck, combatting the fire, removing casualties and preventing further
spread of the damage. After assuring himself that everything possible vac be-
ing done to evacuate casualties and to control damage, he went below to aid
and comfort the injured. By his outstanding leadership, courage and inspiring
efforts throughout, Captain Reborn was instrumental in saving many lives and in
Ordered detached from the DENNINGTON in February 1955, he served as Assisw,
ant Chief of Staff for Operations on the staff of the Commander in Chief,
U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and on December 5, 1955 reported as Director of Spacial
Projects, Department of the Hairy.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Hedal for "exceptionally meri-
torious service...from December 2., 1955 to July 20, 1960..." The citation
further states in part: "In late 1955, Rear Admiral Reborn was charged with
the task of developing a Fleet Ballistic Missile' System. Exhibiting outstand-
ing organizational ability and technical competence, lie established the Special
Projects Office, Department of the Navy, and directed his attention to the in-
auguration of definitive management methods which would provide not only the
necessary degree of control but insure that expenditures would be in accord
with budgetary considerations as well as the urgency of the program. He cstab-.
lisaed a single yet forceful management system which encompassed all elements
of his responsibility, implementing a totally now management tool - the Progroac
Evaluation Reporting. Technique. The widespread adoption or this method of
evaluating the prpgreos of a complex research and development program by largo
.sections of American industry reflects his keen perception and resourcefulness.;;
Rear Admiral Rabornos dynamic leadership, enthusiasm and initiative were the
motivating factors in the successful accomplishment of this important tack
when, on July 20, 1960, the USC GEORGE WASHINGTOIT (SSLtT~-598) proved the opera-
,tional?readiness of the Fleet Ballistic Missile System by'launching two POLARIL;
missiles from the ocean depths. This deterrent signalled an historical con-
Itribution to the military .strength of the United States and attested to Rear
Admiral Raborn's extraordinary executive methods by bringing the Fleet Rallis
tic Missile System into' being in the short period'of three and. one half years.
Ca Warch 9. 1962 ho boor; Deputy Chief of Ilaval Operations (Develo s:aon
'"{' Ihwy Department?
In addition to the Distinguished Service Modal, Silver Star Medal,-the
Bronze Star Medal with Gold Star, the Commendation Ribbon with Bronze Star,
Medal with one silver star and one bronze star (six engagements); the World Warr
"XI Victory Medal; the. National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Modal
the United Nations Service Medal;,.and the Philippine Defense Ribbon.';:
 Approved For Release 2000/6, CIA-RDP75-000018000100070038-9
V. Adm. W. F. Raborn, Jr., USN Page 4
Vice Admiral Raborn's official home address was when he retired 434 Breese
Mildred T. Terrill of Baytown, Texas. He has two children, Barbara Priscilla
Boulevard, Terrill Heights,, San Antonio, Texas. He is married to the former
(Mrs. Be' E. Richardson), and William F. Raborn, III.
See also Who's Who, :L964-1965-;.P- 1634)