Wilbur Crane Eveland
Encyclopedia
Wilbur Crane "Bill" Eveland (1918 - January 2, 1990) was a World War II
veteran
, a CIA station chief, and critic of US foreign policy in the Middle East
. His autobiographical book, Ropes of Sand (1980), details the many failures of the CIA vis-a-vis the Middle East
during the Cold War
.
, in 1918. He lied about his age in order to join the Marine Corps Reserve at 17, and spent his first reserve duty summer at Puget Sound Navy Yard. After failing the West Point examinations, Bill took a job in San Francisco and studied at the University of California, Berkely. His studies were interrupted when the Marines moved him to San Diego.
By 1939, Bill grew restless and hitchhiked across the country, enduring a grueling winter-time journey across the northern states. He found refuge in New Jersey
, his father's native state. There he learned of his paternal heritage, particularly of his great-grandfather, Major Nathaniel Crane (United States Army
). Inspired by his family's history, Bill hitchhiked to Boston
and joined the army on February 13, 1940.
His first post as a young soldier was Fort Banks, Massachusetts, just outside Winthrop. While there, Bill took courses at Harvard University
to prepare for another attempt at West Point.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
, a CIA station chief, and critic of US foreign policy in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. His autobiographical book, Ropes of Sand (1980), details the many failures of the CIA vis-a-vis the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
Early years
Wilbur Crane Eveland, or Bill, the name he was most commonly known by, was born in Spokane, WashingtonSpokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, in 1918. He lied about his age in order to join the Marine Corps Reserve at 17, and spent his first reserve duty summer at Puget Sound Navy Yard. After failing the West Point examinations, Bill took a job in San Francisco and studied at the University of California, Berkely. His studies were interrupted when the Marines moved him to San Diego.
By 1939, Bill grew restless and hitchhiked across the country, enduring a grueling winter-time journey across the northern states. He found refuge in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, his father's native state. There he learned of his paternal heritage, particularly of his great-grandfather, Major Nathaniel Crane (United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
). Inspired by his family's history, Bill hitchhiked to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and joined the army on February 13, 1940.
His first post as a young soldier was Fort Banks, Massachusetts, just outside Winthrop. While there, Bill took courses at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
to prepare for another attempt at West Point.