Anthony Poshepny
| Anthony Alexander Poshepny | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 18, 1924 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 27, 2003 (aged 78) California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps and Central Intelligence Agency |
| Unit |
2nd Marine Parachute Battalion |
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Permesta Rebellion Vietnam War Laotian Civil War |
| Awards | Intelligence Star (twice), Purple Heart (twice), Air Force Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol, Order of the White Elephant, Border Service Medal (Thailand) Parachutist Badge |
2nd Marine Parachute Battalion
5th Marine Division
Anthony Alexander Poshepny (September 18, 1924 – June 27, 2003), known as Tony Poe, was a CIA paramilitary officer in what is now called Special Activities Division. He is best remembered for training the US-funded secret army in Laos during the Vietnam War.
An accurate accounting of Poshepny's career is complicated by government secrecy and by his tendency to embellish stories. For example, he often claimed to be a refugee from Hungary, but he actually was born in Long Beach, California. Shortly after turning 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, serving in the 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion and fighting in the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. He received the Purple Heart twice and was a sergeant by the time he was honorably discharged. Returning to civilian life, he enrolled at Saint Mary's College, before transferring to what is now San Jose State University. He contemplated going to work for the FBI. On graduating in 1950, he instead joined the CIA, where he was part of the first recruit class to receive all of its training at the new Camp Peary. He was active in Korea during the Korean War, training refugees for sabotage missions behind communist lines. He also helped train Chinese Nationalist commandos for missions on the mainland.
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Wikipedia