Helms, Richard McGarrah (1913-2002) director of the Central Intelligence Agency (1966-73), born in St. David's, Pennsylvania. His tenure came under increased scrutiny and criticism for its role in fomenting coups and assassinations in foreign countries, as well as for Watergate-related intrigue. Helms was indicted for perjury before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for testimony denying CIA involvement in Chile; he pleaded no contest, was fined $2, 000 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence. He was the first career intelligence officer to head the agency, and was also instrumental in its creation (1947).
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.