Warner applauds House passage of bill to honor OSS veterans

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation authored by Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) to honor veterans of the Office of Strategic Services with a Congressional Gold Medal. The bill recognizes the members of the intelligence agency for their “superior service and major contributions during World War II.” It now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“For many years, the heroic contributions of the OSS – which included some of the most daring covert operations of World War II — remained shrouded in secrecy, their impact largely unknown to the American public. Today, Congress is able to publicly recognize the members of the OSS for their remarkable heroism and many sacrifices,” said Sen. Warner. “As the predecessor to the modern CIA, other elements of the U.S. intelligence community, and U.S. special operations forces, the OSS once boasted nearly 13,000 members, but more than 70 years after they won the war, fewer than 100 are still with us. I know how much it means to the veterans of the OSS, as well as their families, that this legislation is finally making its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Congress has now ensured that their courage of spirit and their love of country will long live on in our nation’s memory.”

The OSS conducted critical operations during the war including establishing intelligence networks, training resistance organizations throughout Europe and Asia, and carrying out “mercy missions” at the end of the war to save the lives of thousands of Allied prisoners of war. It was created in 1942 under the leadership of General William J. Donovan to better coordinate and oversee American intelligence operations. At its peak, 13,000 members served in the OSS including notable names such as Julia Child, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., John Ford, and James Donovan, who was depicted in the 2015 movie, “Bridge of Spies.” A number of OSS veterans were present in the House gallery when the legislation was approved.

Sen. Warner is the incoming Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. This summer, he lead an effort to recognize Virginia OSS veteran Stephanie Rader by posthumously awarding her the Legion of Merit.