CIA’s memorial wall commemorates three African Americans

The CIA Memorial Wall honors those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in service to their country, explains a notice posted on the Agency’s Web site. The stars carved into the wall represent each of the 107 officers killed in the line of duty.

The names that can be revealed are listed in the Book of Honor. In honor of Black History Month, the CIA said it is commemorating the three African American stars on the CIA Memorial Wall:

Edward Johnson (1923-1965)

Edward Johnson joined the CIA in 1955 as a clerk working in the deputy directorate for plans (the forerunner to today’s National Clandestine Service (NCS)). Early in his career, Johnson expressed a strong desire to become involved in operations. He went on his first overseas assignment as an administrative assistant and courier shortly after joining the Agency. He continued to serve with increased responsibilities in various countries in Southeast Asia and South America throughout his career.

His experience in the field and exposure to operations tradecraft prepared him for his first operational mission in 1961. Johnson developed new skills and held a variety of positions over the years, serving as an operations officer, an intelligence adviser and project leader.

In 1965, while serving in Southeast Asia, the helicopter he and another Agency officer were riding in crashed during heavy rainfall. He was 42 years old. He was posthumously awarded the Agency’s Intelligence Medal of Merit, an award given to CIA officers for exceptional service that has contributed significantly to the Agency’s mission.

Wilbur Greene (1930-1972)

Wilbur Greene joined the CIA in 1967 in the deputy directorate for plans (now known as the NCS). Before starting at CIA, Greene had a distinguished 20-year military career with the U.S. Army. He had impressive combat service in the Southeast Asia region and spoke Vietnamese. After only a few months of operational training at CIA Headquarters, Greene arrived in the field in March 1968.

Tragically, during the first months of his first overseas assignment, his wife was killed in an automobile accident in the U.S. Shortly after his loss — after arranging for the care of his young children – Greene returned to his assignment leading a combat unit.

He continued to take on assignments critical to the U.S. effort during the Vietnam War. His exceptionally strong leadership and organizational skills, extensive military experiences, perseverance under harsh conditions, and ability to train others helped him navigate the complicated political environment during his assignments in Southeast Asia.

In April 1972, Greene died overseas of complications following a gallbladder operation. At the time of his death, he was serving his second tour of duty as chief of paramilitary operations. He was 41 years old.

Jacqueline Van Landingham (1961-1995)

Jackie Van Landingham joined the CIA in July 1985 as a clerk-typist, working in the directorate of operations (now known as the NCS). She provided administrative support to headquarters logistical support officers, as well as overseas stations and bases.

With no previous Agency experience, she adapted quickly to the fast pace of her office, handling high volume cable traffic and an assortment of logistical support duties. Less than a year after her entrance on duty, she trained for an overseas assignment as an operations support assistant. Van Landingham also received a substantial cash award for her excellent performance — not a routine occurrence for a new employee.

She took on her first overseas assignment in 1986. As she advanced professionally with the Agency, she also began to grow her family. She met her husband while on assignment overseas and had two daughters in the early 1990s.

She worked between CIA headquarters and several field assignments in the years to follow. She began her last assignment in the Middle East in the summer of 1994.

On March 8, 1995, she was riding a shuttle bus to work. Two gun-wielding terrorists armed with AK-47 rifles attacked the bus.  The only agency officer aboard the shuttle, she was fatally wounded and died shortly after arriving at the hospital. She was 33 years old.