NOMINATION OF LT. GENERAL VERNON A. WALTERS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE, FOR THE NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R002000080002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 24
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: May 11, 1976
• Content Type: MF

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MAY 1916
MEMORANDUM FOR: The Honorable Brent Scowcroft
Assistant to the President for
National Security Affairs
FRekl George -Bush'
Director
SUBJECT . Nomination of Lt. General Vernon A. Walters,
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence,
for the National Security Medal
1. Attached is a recommendation (Tab A) that the
National Security Medal be awarded. to Lt. General Vernon A.
Walters. This recommendation has been prepared in accord-
ance with Executive Order 10431 which establishes the
National Security Medal and the Regulations promulgated by
President Truman concerning its award. (Copy attached as
Tab B.)
2. General :alters' outstanding career began when he
enlisted in the U. S. krmy in 1941. He was commissioned and
assigned to an Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon the
following year. His military assignments included close
service to the nation's top military leaders, key attache
positions, and staff assistant assignment to Presidents.
Because of this unique background and experience he was
appointed Deputy Director of Central Intelligence in 1972
and has served in that capacity under four Directors of
Central Intelligence. Since that time, veteran intelligence
careerists have acclaimed his contribution to the intelli-
gence effort. His knowledge of foreign affairs, keen,
intellect, and unusual linguistic ability made him a strong
asset to the Intelligence Community and it is fitting that
his career, a model of dedication, integrity, and service
to country, should be capped by this outstanding performance.
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-wade: to ? the Agency, the intelligence Conru.ni ty, and his
coup t iy
3. If the President approves the award, it will be
necessary for hi: to sign the enclosed certificate, which
acconpanias the =edal. It would also be appro:~riate for
the President to present the award if his schedule Would
per uit.
4. 1 strongly support this recom ueadation. he
award is justly deserved and will appropriately recognize
'al tern has
the outstanding coatributions that General I
Distribution:
0 - 2 - Addressee
1 CI
1 ER
2 - DDA
1 - D/Bers
1 - DC/BSD
1 - Exec Sec/F+hLAB
LsL George BUSH
George Bush
Originator:
.DT-rector of Personnel
, Q-7
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Lt. General Walters' outstanding career began in 1941
when he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was commissioned
the following year and served with distinction in Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy. After the war he was selected"
for numerous key assignments at Attache posts, SHAPE Head-
quarters, NATO, and as staff assistant to Presidents. His
successes in these important positions were further recog-
nized when in 1972 he was appointed Deputy Director of
Central Intelligence.
General Walters brought to his new assignment not only
a keen intellect and an invaluable background in foreign
affairs, but he also possessed the highest degree of integ-
rity, initiative, and desire for preservation of his
nation's security. Serving under four Directors of Central
Intelligence, his accomplishments won the acclaim of veteran
intelligence careerists. At a time when the Central Intel-
ligence Agency withstood its severest test, General Walters
provided strength of character, high moral conviction, and
courageous leadership that reflect great credit on himself,
the Intelligence Community, and his country.
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Proposed Award of the National Security Medal
to Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
1. The National Security Medal was established by
President Truman via Executive Order 10431 on 19 January.-
1953 Under the Executive Order's provisions, the National:-
Security Medal may be awarded by the President (or by such
persons as he may designate) for "distinguished achievement
or outstanding contribution" in the field of."intelligence
relating to the national security." The implementing-re gu-
lations for the National Security Medal, also approved by
President Truman on 19 January 1953, provide that the con-
tribution of recipients of the award should consist of
"exceptionally meritorious service performed in a position
of high responsibility." It is our desire to nominate
Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters for this award. At
this writing, he is Deputy Director of Central Intelligence,
though he will relinquish that post a's soon as his suc-
cessor, Mr. Enno H. Knoche, is confirmed by the Senate and
sworn in. It is our oainion that General Walters' service
to his country in the field of intelligence more than meets
the criteria established for the National Security Medal.
Upon his retire7.ent, General Walters will have completed 35
years of distinguished military service, most of which was
spent in Intelli;en_ce. His career encompasses unique close
service to Presidents, military leaders, high government
officials, and as deputy to four Directors of Central
Intelligence.
2. General Walters was born in New York City on
3 January 1917. He lived abroad with his parents and
.attended St. Louis Gonzaga School in Paris', France and
Stoneyhurst College in England. His military career began
on 2 May 1941 when he enlisted in the U. S. Army. In early
1942 he attended the Officers Candidate School at Fort
Benning, Georgia, and graduated as 2nd Lieutenant of
Infantry on 29 May 1942. After taking part in, the assault
landing at Safi in Morocco in November 1942, for which he
was awarded the Legion of Merit, he served in Algeria and
Tunisia. As a Captain, he was assigned as Aide to General
Mark W. Clark, Commanding General of the Fifth Army, and
subsequently became Combat Liaison Officer with the 1st
Brazilian Infantry Division, a position which he held until
the end of the war. He was then assigned as Assistant Army
Attache in Brazil from 1945 to 1948 and during this time
was called upon to accompany President Truman, General
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Eisenhower and General Marshall as Aide and interpreter on
various trips that they made.
3. Because of his keen intellect, remarkable linguistic
ability and unusual competence it was inevitable that General
Walters would be singled out for increasing positions of
responsibility. In June 1948 he was assigned to Ambassador
Averell Harriman as Assistant Military Attache-at-Large with
duty station in Paris, and in 1949 he was appointed Army
Attache-at-Large. Returning to the United States with
Ambassador Harriman in June 1950, he became Military Assis-
.tant to the Special Assistant to the President. In addition
to his subsequent selection for various key attache positions
and assignment at\SHAPE Headquarters and NATO, General Walters
was a Staff Assistant to President Eisenhower. Because of his
unique abilities he accompanied President Eisenhower and
President Nixon on numerous foreign visits.
4. General Walters was appointed by President Nixon to
be the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence in March 1972.
He took the oath of office and assumed the position on 2 May
1972. Within days of assuming office, General Walters was
the object of an attempt by individuals in high political
office to draw CIA into improper use of its special author-
ities in a domestic political matter. Although he had only
just taken up the job, General Walters' instinctive sense
of propriety aria igh personal integrity enabled him to
refuse to allow CIA to be used improperly.
5. In recognition of General Walters' key role in
preventing the Agency from being misused, Director
Schlesinger awarded General Walters the Distinguished Intel-
ligence Medal, the Agency's highest award.
6. The four years of General Walters' tenure as DDCI
coincided with the most turbulent years in the Agency's his-
tory.- Coping with this situation in Washington largely
preempted the time of the four Directors under whom General
Walters served as Deputy. In this strained situation for
the Agency, General Walters' unique talents and abilities
enabled him to render brilliant service in the essential task
of maintaining contact with the leaders of cooperating foreign
intelligence services, authoritatively reassuring them of the
Agency's continuing ability to perform the essential functions
of this country's foreign intelligence service, and to main-
tain the willingness of the foreign services to continue their
vital cooperation with the United States.
7. To speak of General Walters' unique abilities in
dealing with senior foreign officials fails to do adequate
justice to the very special talents of this man. He has not
only the exceptional ability to speak directly with great
fluency with most senior officials among friendly nations,
but also has the masterful warmth and style necessary to
deal effectively with leaders from various cultures in creating
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heavy responsibility.
8. If the United States has produced a complete
professional foreign intelligence officer in the broadest
sense of the term, with the widest possible range of
experiences and responsibilities,-surely General Walters'
name must come to mind.
th4W for extremely sensitive diplomatic missions involving
application of his special talents at home and. abroad,
General Walters has made an absolutely unique and invalu-
able contribution to the foreign intelligence mission of
the United States. These special talents have also caused
Gen oral Walters to be used by various national administra-
quickly a relaxed, constructive and friendly atmosphere.
He is by practice and unparalleled experience a highly
skilled diplomat supported by an exceptional knowledge of
history and international affairs. By his tireless
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DRAFT ADDENDUM TO
BACKGROUND STATEMENT FOR GENERAL WALTERS' NSM
General Walters was appointed by the President
to be the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence in
March 1972. He took the oath of office and assumed
the position on 2 May 1972. Within days of assuming
office, General Walters was the object of an attempt
by individuals in high political office to draw CIA into
improper use of its special authorities in a domestic
political matter. Althouth he had only just taken up the
job, General Walters' instinctive sense of propriety and
high personal integrity enabled him to refuse to allow
CIA to be used improperly.
In recognition of General Walters' key role in
preventing the Agency from being misused (and contrary to
the media campaign of misleading innuendo;), Director
Schlesinger awarded General Walters the Distinguished
Intelligence Medal, the Agency's highest award.
The four years of General Walters' tenure as DDGI
coincided with the most turbulent years in the Agency's
history. Coping with this situation in Washington largely
preempted the time of the four Directors under whom General
Walters served as Deputy. In this strained situation for .
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Draft Addendum Page .2
the Agency, General Walters' unique talents and abilities
enabled him to render brilliant service in the essential
task of maintaining contact with the leaders of cooperating
foreign intelligence services, authoritatively reassuring
them of the Agency's continuing ability to perform the
essential functions of this country's foreign intelligence
service, and to maintain the willingness of the foreign
services to continue their vital cooperation with the
United States.
To speak of General Walters' unique abilities in dealing
with senior foreign officials fails to do adequate justice
to the very special talents of this man. He has not only
the exceptional ability to speak directly with great fluency
with most senior officials among friendly nations, but also
has the masterful warmth and style necessary to deal
effectively with leaders from various cultures in creating
quickly a relaxed, constructive and friendly atmosphere.
He is by experience and unparalleled experience a highly
skilled diplomat supported by an exceptional knowledge of
history and international affairs. By his tireless
application of his special talents at home and abroad,
General Walters has made an absolutely unique and invaluable
contribution to the foreign intelligence mission of the
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 7 -
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Draft Addendum Page 3
United States. These special talents have also caused
General Walters to be used by various national administra-
RVAPS
tems for extremely sensitive diplomatic missions involving
heavy responsibility.
If the United States has produced a complete professional
foreign intelligence officer in the broadest sense of the
term, with the widest possible range of experiences and
responsibilities, surely General Walters' :name must come
to mind.
;~? 7 -;;"&"
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SUGGESTED DRAFT PRESS STATEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH
GENERAL WALTERS' NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL
President Ford today awarded the National Security Medal
to Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, retiring Deputy
Director of.Central Intelligence, in recognition of a
unique and distinguished career in the intelligence services
of his country.
General Walters'.intelligence career started early in
World War II when he led an Army intelligence team ashore with
the American landings in Morocco. After the war, as an Army
officer, he held numerous responsible intelligence assignments
overseas, was a staff assistant to President Truman concerned
with national security questions, and served-brilliantly-as
Military and Defense Attache in Italy, Brazil and France. In
March 1972, General Walters was nominated by President Nixon
to be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. In this position
he has served with high personal integrity and exceptional
ability. Once again General Walters rendered unique and out-
standing service to his country by employing his unusual talents
in a series of delicate, unheralded intelligence missions and
assignments. In so doing, he has made a most valuable contribution
to the Central Intelligence Agency's vitally Important national
foreign intelligence mission. General Walters is the first
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence to receive this award.
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SUGGESTED DRAFT PRESS STATEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH
GENERAL WALTERS' NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL
President Ford today awarded the National. Security Medal
to Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, retiring Deputy
Director of Central Intelligence, in recognition of a
unique and distinguished career in the intelligence services
of his country.
General Walters'.intelligence career started early in
World War II when he led an Army intelligence team ashore with
the American landings in Morocco. After the war, as an Army
officer, he held numerous responsible intelligence assignments
overseas, was a staff assistant to President Truman concerned
with national security questions, and served brilliantly as
Military and Defense Attache in Italy, Brazil. and France. In
March 1972, General Walters was nominated by President Nixon
to be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. In this position
he has served with high personal integrity and exceptional
ability. Once again General Walters rendered unique and out-
standing service to his country by employing his unusual talents
in a series of delicate, unheralded intelligence missions and
assignments. In so doing, he has made a most valuable contribution
to the Central Intelligence Agency's vitally important national
foreign intelligence mission. General Walters is the first
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence to receive this award.
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,uumfle
Once (1 again he has been able to render unique and outstanding
service to his country by employing his unusual talents in a series of delicate
unheralded missions and assignments,
General Walters is the first deputy
di
rector of Central Intelligence to rece
this award.
'
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SUGGESTED DRAFT PRESS STATEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH
GENERAL WALTERS' NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL
President Ford today awarded the National Security Medal
to Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, retiring Deputy
Director of Central Intelligence, in recognition of a truly
unique and distinguished career in the intelligence services
of his country.
General Walters' intelligence career started early in
World War II when he led an intelligence team ashore with the
American landings in Morocco. After the war, he held numerous
responsible intelligence assignments overseas, was a staff
assistant to President Truman concerned with national security
questions, and served brilliantly
as Military
and Defense Attache in Italy, Brazil and France. In March 1972,
General Walters was nominated by President Nixon to be Deputy
Director of Central Intelligence position he has
served with high personal integrity
~- ce ri h ~I?t~ enfi?s
e r 1~~~etVs p 1 re ~.ea
e11`ge to re -ve ' --ata -pd
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1 July 76/ 1500
Notified by Sam Hoskinson's office that President Ford will present
National Security Medal to General Walters on Thursday, 15 July 76,
at 1430.
Instructed to go ahead and invite people on list submitted to Hoskinson
on 11 June 76. White House will invite any others they wish to include.
Invitees should drive tb SW Gate, enter, and park at Diplomatic Entrance
under the SW Portico. Congregate there. Will be ushered into Oval Office.
Must be there by 2:20.
STAT
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 Guests Present Invited by White House:
Vice President Rockefeller
Secretary of State Kissinger
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld
Deputy Secretary of Defense Ellsworth
Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Brown
A sst to the President for National Security
Affairs General Scowcroft
Deputy Asst to the President for National
Security Affairs William Hyland
L
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11 June 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Sam Hoskinson
SUBJECT : Award of the National Security Medal to
Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, USA
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
1. General Walters would be grateful if the award could be made on
the 23, 29th, or 30th of June. Oh the 29th he would not be available
between 1030 and 1400 due to his participation in a Retirement Parade
and luncheon in his honor hosted by the Chief of Staff of the Army at
Fort Myer. He prefers to receive it before the end of the month., but,
of course, if the President's schedule will not allow it,, it can be
scheduled later in July.
2. General Walters prefers to wear his military uniform for the
ceremony. Please let us-know if this r .eets with the approval of the
White House Ceremonies Office.
3. Attached is a proposed guest list. General Walters understands
that it should not exceed 25 persons and he has limited it to 20, thereby
allowing the White House Ceremonies Office the flexibility of including
other guests whose attendance they may feel appropriate (such as the
Vice President, Secretary of State, Assistant to the President for
National security Affairs, Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of
the Joint Chiefs). The DDCI's staff is prepared to do the actual inviting
of the guests. If that is appropriate, please furnish the instructions to
be conveyed to the guests (date, time, place, etc,)*
4. A proposed Press Statement is being prepared and. will be forwarded
as soon as it is completed.
STA
EA / DDCI
Enclosure
Proposed Guest List
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Proposed Guest List
for
Presentation of National Security Medal
to
Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, USA
c
Secretary of the Army, Martin R. Hoffmann
"Chief of Staff of the Army, General Fred C. Weyand
"Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Lieutenant General.
Samuel Y.. Wilson, USA
/ Deputy Director, Defense Intelligence Agenc
y
1 Lieutenant General Eugene Tighe, USAF
v/ Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army for Intelligence
Major General Harold R. Aaron, USA
~/^ / Director of Central Intelligence, George Bush
/Deputy Director-Designate of Central Intelligence
Henry Knoche
-Deputy to the Director of Central Intelligence for the Intelligence
ommunity Admil Dil J M
,raane.urphy ~f--~ CIA Deputy Director for Administration, John Blake
s1,,P VCIA Deputy Director for Operations, William Wells
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Next 1 Page(s) In Document Exempt
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
17 June 1976
Mr. Hoskinson, '
Herewith the promised draft press
statement in connection with the award
of the NSM.to General Walters. Please
keep me posted re time and date
presentation can be made by the President.
Thanks.
STAT
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SUGGESTED DRAFT PRESS STATEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH
GENERAL WALTERS' NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL
President Ford today awarded the National Security Medal
to Lieutenant General Vernon A. Walters, retiring Deputy
Director of Central Intelligence, in recognition of a
unique and distinguished career in the intelligence services
of his country.
General Walters' intelligence career started early in
World War II when he led an Army intelligence team ashore with
the American landings in Morocco. After the war, as an Army
officer, he held numerous responsible intelligence assignments
overseas, was a staff assistant to President Truman concerned
with national security questions, and served brilliantly as
Military and Defense Attache in Italy, Brazil and France. In
March 1972, General Walters was nominated by President Nixon
to be Deputy Director of Central Intelligence. In this position
he has served with high personal integrity and exceptional
ability. Once again General Walters rendered unique and out-
standing service to his country by employing his unusual talents
in a series of delicate, unheralded intelligence missions and
assignments. In so doing, he has made a most valuable contribution
to the Central Intelligence Agency's vitally important national
foreign intelligence mission. General Walters is the first
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence to receive this award.
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 roved rig~ 0800
I UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
EA DDCI
7 D 6013, Hq,
ACTION
APPROVAL
COMMENT
CONCURRENCE
FILE
INFORMATION
Attached is a copy of the National
Security Medal recommendation concerning
General Walters.
 FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
F PHONE NO. DATE
EA DDCI
1IJune
R14 [ &O4/ 2 : I @~R J 002
rov d FORM FNO. r 2) 7 Use previous editions (40)
1-67 J
S N LA I A A
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
IN kTJALS
1
Asst. to the Director
2
(Mr. Thuermer)
3
4
5
6
X
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
F
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
Angus,
Per our conversation, here is a first
cut of a proposed press statement for the
White House to use in connection with the
award of the National Security Medal to
General Walters. Please make any changes
you feel appropriate, clear with DCI and
return to us for delivery to the White
House by June 17 if possible, please.
 EA/DDCI
~?If~Qal~31 00
pr,pv d FORM FNO. r 237 ItliUse previous 04/ 2editions: Ib HH
1-67
SENDER WILL CHECK CLASSIFICATION TOP AND BOTTOM
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
4
5
ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
Attached is a draft proposed press statement
for the White House to use in connection
with President Ford's award of the NSM to
General Walters.
The draft has been cleared with Falkiewicz.
Please obtain Mr. Bush's approval together
with any desired changes and we will send
to Sam Hoskinson.
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME. ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
16June76
02
4
(40)
 Andrew,
Attached for your review is a suggested
revised draft statement for use by the
White House in connection with General
Walters' NSM. Please make any changes
you believe appropriate and return to this
office for forwarding to Sam Hoskinson
in the ti ite House. We can get DCI clearance
through unless you prefer tom.
-7