Episode 94: The Spymaster Who Created Modern American Espionage, Part V

 

As the war in Europe was drawing to a close, Donovan tried to convince Roosevelt one more time about the need for a postwar central intelligence service, but when FDR inexpertly died, he was afraid him dream had died with him. He had no working relationship with Truman, FDR's successor, and Truman was convinced that such a service was not needed - at least until after then war when it became clear that a Cold War with the Soviet Union would necessitate a postwar espionage agency. The Central Intelligence Agency was eventually created but Donovan would not be the one the lead it.

After Truman left office and Donovan's old Army colleague Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected, he hoped that he would now be named Director of Central Intelligence, but it was not to be. Ike did have a job for him though - he was appointed US Ambassador to Thailand - a country that would be vital to America's anti-Communist activities in Asia during the Cold War.

Donovan was a successful ambassador but resigned after two years. While in Thailand, he began experiencing systems of dementia which would ultimately lead to his death just one months after his 76th birthday. Major General William Joseph "Wild Bill" Donovan is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 2, Grave 4874.