“Wild Bill” & the O.S.S. – A C.I.A. Origin Story

In the early ears of World War II, FDR was convinced that the United States needed to develop an intelligence agency of their own.  He appointed William Donovan as the “Coordinator of Information”, which eventually developed into the “Office of Strategic Services”.  This organization becomes responsible for all sorts of spy craft, and when Stanley Lovell comes on board, things really kick into gear.  Over the course of the war, this group was responsible for a lot of pivotal innovations, including the invention of Napalm, a documents forging department, and a silent, flash-less pistol.  They also have some monumental duds, including bat bombs, kitty bombs, and a plan to remove Hitler’s mustache.  John Lisle documents them all in his new book “The Dirty Tricks Department”, and we get into some of the more fantastical elements in this episode.

The End of the O.S.S.

All good things must come to an end, although in this case it is really more like all good things must morph into something else.  The O.S.S. does become the C.I.A., but not before we talk about the search for a truth serum, their work with marijuana, and how Stanley Lovell turns his attention to refuting Shakespearean authorship.