A Close Call in Africa

In September 1964, I reported to CIA Headquarters following a two-year tour as a Directorate of Operations DO officer involved in paramilitary work in Laos and Thailand. I was assigned to a country desk in the DOs Africa Division, and I signed up for part-time French language training in preparation for my next assignment. Through my language training, I came into contact with one of the divisions most senior officers, who had served in Leopoldville in the Republic of the Congo. We talked a lot about the rebellion going on in the Congo and the fact that our senior officer in Stanleyville and his two communications officers were prisoners of the Simba rebels.