Spy museum honors George H.W. Bush

Photo: Evan F. Sisley Former President George H.W. Bush holds up the International Spy...

Long before George H.W. Bush was president, he was the Director of Central Intelligence, advising the president and heading up the CIA.

Now the International Spy Museum is recognizing the 41st president for his work.

The Washington, D.C.-based museum has given Bush its first William H. Webster Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes "extraordinary contributions" to the intelligence community.

In 1976, when President Gerald Ford appointed Bush to head the CIA, it was an agency in upheaval. A congressional committee was investigating the agency for questionable activities, and the public hearings had diminished agency morale along with the public's trust.

Photo: Consolidated News Pictures, Getty Images In February 1976, George H.W. Bush took his oath of office as...

Bush, who was director for just a year, is credited with restoring confidence in the intelligence community. And he's the only Director of Central Intelligence who has gone on to become president.

"He was a pioneering, instrumental force in restoring confidence in the community and prioritizing education about the role and significance of intelligence," said Peter Earnest, the museum's founding executive director.

The award is named for Judge William H. Webster, the only person to have served as both director of Central Intelligence and director of the FBI.