“Those who fell yesterday were far from home and close to the enemy, doing the hard work that must be done to protect our country from terrorism. We owe them our deepest gratitude, and we pledge to them and their families that we will never cease fighting for the cause to which they dedicated their lives—a safer America.” Former CIA Director Leon Panetta — December 31, 2009

The Memorial Wall is a memorial at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia. the wall honors CIA employees who died in the line of service. Today, there are 117 stars carved into the white Alabama marble wall. [WIKIPEDIA]. Eleven represent women. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

The Wall bears the inscription:

“IN HONOR OF THOSE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY”

The Wall is flanked by the flag of the United States on the left and a flag bearing the CIA seal on the right.

Elizabeth Hanson

“Elizabeth Hanson was a gifted innovator in fighting terrorists; a woman with boundless energy and a quick wit who relished the challenge of her work and was committed to excellence and integrity in everything she did.” [CIA Website]

Hanson was born in February 1979 in Rockford, and was the daughter of Duane Hanson Jr.

She graduated from Keith Country Day School in 1997, and attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine, majoring in economics with a concentration in financial markets and Russian language and culture.

After the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York, Hanson was prompted to explore the relationship between religion and economics.

Hanson joined the CIA as a specialist and was charged with the tasks of finding Islamic extremists and gathering information about militant networks in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Hanson was one of several CIA agents killed December 30 in a suicide bombing while gathering intelligence on al-Qaida at a remote base in the mountains of Afghanistan.

The four CIA agents, along with three American security guards and a Jordanian intelligence officer, died after the bomber had been invited to a meeting, supposedly to pass along important information. Officials said he turned out to be a double agent.

Memorial Ceremony (December 30 2014)

During the Agency’s Annual Memorial Ceremony on June 7, 2010 former Director Panetta explained why the heroes of Khowst, the fallen and the survivors alike, risked their lives and why their work lives on within the vital mission of the Agency.

“They remind us, as do the losses suffered by our brothers and sisters in uniform, that our nation’s liberty and security is not free. It must be fought for by every generation. Their stories reaffirm that America is blessed with brave and selfless patriots who are willing to put their lives on the line: who are willing to shoulder that great responsibility.”

Director Brennan, in a message to the workforce on the five year anniversary of Khowst, spoke of the tremendous risks inherent in intelligence work and of the courage of the women and men of CIA who serve on the front lines to keep our country safe, despite the risks.

PS: Did you know Elizabeth Hanson? Would you like to share a story? Just let us know.

Director Leon E. Panetta Honors First Agency Officer Killed in Vietnam at (2011) Annual Memorial Ceremony

During the Agency’s annual memorial ceremony on Monday, May 23, (2011) Director Leon E. Panetta paid tribute to the first American woman killed in the Vietnam War.

REFERENCES

Women of the CIA — Newsweek

The Mystery of Jane Wallis Burrell: The First CIA Officer To Die in the Agency’s Service — CIA news & Information

Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Barbara A. Robbins — CIA Website

Barbara Robbins: A slain CIA secretary’s life and death — WP

Tribute to Women Who Have Died — STUDIES IN INTELLIGENCE

CIA discloses names of 15 killed in line of duty — LA Times

CIA Holds Annual Memorial Ceremony to Honor Fallen Colleagues — CIA Website

Phyllis (Nancy) Faraci — Human Rights & Democracy for Iran

REAGAN SAYS BLAST WON’T DETER PEACE EFFORTS — NYT 21 April 1983

Memorial Service 1983 — CIA Website

Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Jacqueline K. Van Landingham — CIA Website

U.S. Seeking 3 Gunmen In Karachi — NYT March 10 1995

Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Leslianne Shedd — CIA Website

LESLIANNE SHEDD, 1968-1996

Keeping Secrets

Osama raid avenged CIA deaths, a secret until now — TODAY

CIA Adds Four Stars to Memorial Wall — CIA website May 21 2006

Khowst – 5 Years Later — Cia Website

Who was Elizabeth Hanson? — COLBY Magazine

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CIA : A Few Good Women — Elizabeth Hanson ( February 14 1979 – December 30 2009)