William Francis Buckley
| William F. Buckley | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Francis Buckley |
| Born |
May 30, 1928 Medford, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | June 3, 1985 (aged 57) Lebanon |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America |
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Central Intelligence Agency
|
| Years of service | 1947–1985 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant colonel
|
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Silver Star Soldier's Medal Bronze Star with Valor device Purple Heart (2) Meritorious Service Medal Combat Infantry Badge Parachutist Badge Vietnam Gallantry Cross Distinguished Intelligence Cross Intelligence Star Exceptional Service Medal |
William Francis Buckley (May 30, 1928 – June 3, 1985) was a United States Army officer and CIA station chief in Beirut from 1984 until 1985. His cover was as a Political Officer at the US Embassy. He died on or around June 3, 1985—five months before the date claimed by his captors—while in the custody of Hezbollah. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery and is commemorated with a star on the Wall of Honor at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
Buckley was born in Medford, Massachusetts on May 30, 1928. After graduating from high school in 1947, he joined the United States Army. He began as a military police officer and served in that capacity for two years, but then attended Officers Candidate School and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in Armor. He continued his military education at the Engineer Officer's Course at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, the Advanced Armor Officer's Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the Intelligence School at Oberammergau, Germany.
During the Korean War, Buckley served as a company commander with the 1st Cavalry Division. Next, he returned to Boston University and completed his studies, graduating with a degree in Political Science. It was during this time that Buckley began his first employment with the Central Intelligence Agency, from 1955 to 1957. He was also employed as a librarian in the Concord, Winchester and Lexington public libraries. In 1960, Buckley joined the 320th Special Forces Detachment which became the 11th Special Forces Group and attended both Basic Airborne and the Special Forces Officers Course. He was assigned as an A-Detachment Commander and later as a B-Detachment Commander. Colonel Buckley served in Vietnam with the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, or MACV, as a Senior Advisor to the South Vietnamese army.
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