Historical Dictionary of United States Intelligence

Special Operations (OSO) to conduct espionage and the Office of Reports

and Estimates (ORE) to engage in analysis, both within the CIG.

1947 February: President Truman proposes National Security

Act. 12 March:President Truman enunciates “Truman Doctrine.”

19 April:Military Intelligence Service absorbs Military Intelligence

Division. 26 July:Congress passes National Security Act. August:

Rear Admiral Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter becomes DCI. 18 September:

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) established. December: Na-

tional Security Council (NSC) issues National Security Council

Directive (NSCD) 4-A, giving the CIA authority to engage in covert

actions.

1948 CIApropaganda campaign in Italy to keep the communists from

gaining power.May:George F. Kennan proposes independent Office of

Policy Coordination (OPC) to carry out covert operations; established

by National Security Council Directive 10/2 and headed by Frank Wis-

ner. 18 June:National Security Council (NSC) issues NSCD 10/2 au-

thorizing the creation of the Office of Policy Coordination. 1 Septem-

ber:OPC established to conduct covert operations.

1948–1949 Berlin Crisis; Berlin Airlift.

1949 Communist takeover in China. 4 April:North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO) is established.

1950 Radio Free Europe (RFE) goes on the air. DCI Smith establishes

Office of National Estimates (ONE); takes over the Office of Policy

Coordination. February: Wisconsin senator Joseph McCarthy assumes

chairmanship of the House Un-American Activities Committee. April:

National Security Council issues NSC 68, setting forth American prin-

ciples for confronting the Soviet Union in the Cold War. June 27:Ko-

rean War breaks out; surprises the CIA.19 October: The People’s Re-

public of China (PRC) enters the Korean War.

1952 OPC officially incorporated into the CIA. CIA’s Office of Pol-

icy Coordination combines with CIA’s Office of Special Operations to

form the Directorate of Plans (DP). November:Congress establishes

the National Security Agency (NSA).

1953 CIA establishes Photographic Intelligence Division. U.S. govern-

ment sets up United States Information Agency (USIA). April:Operation

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