William J. Casey (CIA Director)

William J. Casey (1913-1987) was born in Queens NY on March 13, 1913. Casey served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from January 28, 1981, until his death on January 29, 1987.

October 27, 1986 Biography from the Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs at Ashland University

"William J. Casey heads the United States' foreign intelligence community and directs the Central Intelligence Agency, a position he has held since appointed by the Ronald Reagan Administration in 1981.

"Casey is the first Director of Central Intelligence to be designated by the President as a cabinet officer. Also, he managed Ronald Reagan's successful primary and presidential election campaigns in 1980.

"A native of Long Island, New York, Casey graduated from Fordham University and St. John's University School of Law. After law school, he joined the Research Institute of America, rising to become chairman of the institute's board of editors.

"He was commissioned in the U.S. Naval Reserve during WW II, joining the wartime staff of William J. Donovan, founder of the Office of Strategic Services, the CIA's predecessor. Assigned to the European theatre, Casey received the Bronze Star for his work in coordinating French Resistance forces in support of the invasion of Normandy and the liberation of France.

"Later, in 1944, he became chief of American secret intelligence operations in Europe. After the war, he served as associate general counsel at the European headquarters of the Marshall Plan. Between 1949 and 1980, he practiced law and engaged in various publishing and entrepreneurial activities in New York City.

"Casey served in the early 70's as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (1971-1973) and later became Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs and president and chairman of the Import-Export Bank of the United States. Returning to private life, he became counsel to the New York and Washington, D.C. law firm of Rogers and Wells.

"Casey has authored a number of books on legal and financial subjects, as well as a history of the American Revolution.

"He received the Distinguished Intelligence Medal in 1983. Also, Casey has received the William J. Donovan Award and honorary degrees from Fordham University, St. John's University, Chung Ang University, New York Law School, Molloy College, Adelphi University, Polytechnic Institute of New York, Bryant College and Westminster College." -- William J. Casey Biography from the The William J. Casey Institute of The Center for Security Policy web site:

"William J. Casey was -- to the enormous benefit of our nation -- a man consistently ahead of his time. From his vital role as Chief of Secret Intelligence in Europe for the Office of Secret Services to his extraordinary stewardship of Ronald Reagan's Central Intelligence Agency, Bill Casey's strategic vision shaped several of the defining moments in America history. His passionate commitment to freedom -- and the subtle, rarified strategies he used to help bring it to hundreds of millions of victims of fascist and communist repression -- is one of the truly great stories of our time.

"Mr. Casey came to accomplish his great feats for America's security by a rich and varied background of senior positions in both the public and private sectors. Indeed, it was the highly successful merger of Bill Casey's Wall Street and national security experiences that largely gave birth to the field of International Economic Security--the overarching focus of the Casey Institute's work program and raison d'etre.

"In the public sector, Bill Casey served as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs and President of the U.S. Export-Import Bank. He likewise served in pivotal positions for the election campaigns of both Presidents Richard M. Nixon and Reagan. His final period of public service was as Director of Central Intelligence under President Reagan.

"Bill was likewise a luminary in the private sector where he translated his Fordham and St. John's degrees into an outstanding career in law and finance. He understood the uniqueness of the skills he possessed and undertook to share them through lecture series and many publications.

"The blending of this extraordinary man's life experiences made an incalculable difference in both restoring American power and prestige around the world and providing 'early warning' for the coming abuses and security concerns associated with international trade, financial, energy and technology flows. The Center for Security Policy recognized Casey's myriad achievements by awarding him its 1996 'Freedom Flame.' --

Time Magazine Archives

 * Ed Magnuson, "Old Skeletons Rattle the CIA", Time Magazine, July 27, 1981
 * "Casey's Shadow", Time Magazine, August 03, 1981
 * Ed Magnuson, "Anatomy of a Sad CIA Affair", Time Magazine, August 10, 1981
 * Ed Magnuson, "Vanishing Act by a Popular Spook", Time Magazine, May 03, 1982
 * Walter Isaacson, "Uneasy over a Secret War", Time Magazine, May 16, 1983
 * Kurt Andersen, "Overt Actions, Covert Worries", Time Magazine, June 20, 1983
 * George J. Church, "Explosion over Nicaragua", Time Magazine (Cover Story), April 23, 1984