Everette Howard Hunt Biography

Birth of Everette Howard Hunt

Joins the Special Activities Division

Hunt joined the Office of Policy Coordination, where his work focused on covert political action, influence, and psychological operations.

Hunt entered CIA service and began a career in covert operations and political action that continued until his retirement in 1970.

Appointed Chief of Station in Mexico City

Hunt supervised William F. Buckley Jr. during Buckley's CIA service in Mexico, beginning a friendship that lasted for decades.

Hunt became involved in planning political and psychological warfare for the CIA operation that targeted the government of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz.

Hunt helped oversee anti-Arbenz cartoons, pamphlets, newspaper material, and other propaganda intended to weaken support for Guatemala's government.

Supports Operation PBSUCCESS, the CIA-backed overthrow of Jacobo Arbenz in Guatemala.

Hunt handled propaganda responsibilities for Operation PBSUCCESS as the CIA intensified political and psychological pressure against the Arbenz government.

Hunt oversaw psychological-warfare projects that included the clandestine Voice of Liberation broadcasts directed at Guatemala.

Hunt's propaganda work supported a broader CIA psychological campaign designed to magnify the apparent strength of forces opposing Jacobo Arbenz.

Arbenz resigned as the CIA-backed operation reached its decisive stage, ending the political-warfare campaign in which Hunt had served.

After his Guatemala work, Hunt served in Japan as a CIA covert-action officer before later assignments in the Western Hemisphere.

Hunt served in Uruguay during his overseas CIA career, working on political and intelligence operations in Latin America.

Hunt continued CIA station work in Uruguay, applying political-action experience gained during earlier assignments in Mexico and Guatemala.

Hunt visited the Cuba project's Florida headquarters and worked with officers coordinating propaganda aimed at Cuban and Latin American audiences.

Hunt became chief of political action for the CIA Cuba project and was tasked with organizing an exile political structure to replace Castro's government.

Hunt worked with representatives of several Cuban exile organizations to create a political coalition for the anti-Castro operation.

Hunt shifted the exile political organization from Mexico to Miami after Mexican scrutiny made continued activity there increasingly difficult.

Hunt developed plans for a Cuban government-in-exile that could claim political authority if the invasion succeeded and Castro's government collapsed.

Hunt helps recruit Cuban exiles for political and paramilitary preparation.

Hunt helps organise recruitment of Cuban exiles for the covert programme.

After visiting Cuba, Hunt recommended disabling major radio and television transmitters around the time of an invasion to hinder government mobilization.

Hunt made an undercover visit to Cuba to assess political conditions, public attitudes, and communications facilities before reporting to CIA superiors.

After the Bay of Pigs failure, Hunt was reassigned within CIA as the Agency reviewed the operation and reorganized responsibilities.

Hunt helped prepare the exile political structure that evolved into the Cuban Revolutionary Council before the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Hunt continued negotiations among rival Cuban exile leaders as the CIA tried to present a unified political alternative to Fidel Castro.

Hunt helps organise the political component of the failed exile operation.

Hunt advises exile contacts that military training must occur outside United States territory.

Hunt became chief of covert action in CIA's Domestic Operations Division, a position he held during the early 1960s.

Hunt continued managing covert-action responsibilities within the Domestic Operations Division during the middle of the 1960s.

Hunt's period directing covert-action work in the Domestic Operations Division concluded after several years in that assignment.

Later records link Shaw to CIA Domestic Contacts Service reporting.

A document surfaced which seemed to imply that Shaw was cleared for "Project QK/ENCHANT.."

Other persons cleared for this project include J. Munroe Sullivan, Shaw's "alibi," Peter Maheu (son of Robert), and no less than CIA officer E. Howard Hunt.

The nature of this project is still classified; what little information there is suggests that those cleared for the project may possibly have been "unwitting," and that it may have been related to gathering information from businessmen.

After leaving CIA, Hunt joined the Robert R. Mullen Company, a Washington public-relations firm that maintained a relationship with the Agency.

Hunt voluntarily retired from CIA after more than twenty years of Agency service and later entered private public-relations work.

Hunt served as an adviser connected with preparations for President Nixon's planned trip to China while working outside his former CIA career.

Hired by Charles Colson, special counsel to President Richard Nixon, and joins the President's Special Investigations Unit (alias White House Plumbers)

Hired by Charles Colson, special counsel to President Richard Nixon, and joins the President's Special Investigations Unit (alias White House Plumbers)

Colson authorized Hunt to travel to New England to seek potentially scandalous information on Senator Edward Kennedy, specifically pertaining to the Chappaquiddick incident and to Kennedy's possible extramarital affairs. Hunt sought and used CIA disguises and other equipment for the project. This mission eventually proved unsuccessful, with little if any useful information uncovered by Hunt

CIA technical officers provided Hunt with a commercial tape recorder concealed in a typewriter case during the period of White House support.

Colson authorized Hunt to travel to New England to seek potentially scandalous information on Senator Edward Kennedy, specifically pertaining to the Chappaquiddick incident and to Kennedy's possible extramarital affairs. Hunt sought and used CIA disguises and other equipment for the project. This mission eventually proved unsuccessful, with little if any useful information uncovered by Hunt

CIA supplied Hunt with a small Tessina camera concealed in a tobacco pouch for photographic work connected with his White House assignment.

Colson authorized Hunt to travel to New England to seek potentially scandalous information on Senator Edward Kennedy, specifically pertaining to the Chappaquiddick incident and to Kennedy's possible extramarital affairs. Hunt sought and used CIA disguises and other equipment for the project. This mission eventually proved unsuccessful, with little if any useful information uncovered by Hunt

CIA's morning meeting recorded that John Ehrlichman had informed Deputy Director Robert Cushman that Hunt had become a White House security consultant.

Hunt asked Deputy CIA Director Robert Cushman for alias identification and physical disguise materials for what he described as a sensitive White House mission.

CIA gave Hunt a wig, glasses, and a device for altering his speech as part of the technical assistance requested by the White House.

CIA technical officers supplied Hunt with identification documents in the alias Edward Joseph Warren for use in his White House assignment.

Hunt brought G. Gordon Liddy to CIA technical officers, who provided Liddy with disguise material and alias documents under another name.

Hunt supplied material during White House contacts that contributed to CIA work on a psychological assessment of Daniel Ellsberg.

Hunt requested temporary use of a CIA secretary he had known during his Agency career, but the request was refused.

CIA technical officers developed film Hunt had brought back from California after reconnaissance connected with the Ellsberg investigation.

Deputy Director Robert Cushman told the White House that CIA would provide no further technical assistance because Hunt's requests had expanded beyond acceptable limits.

Hunt asked CIA for a New York mail address and telephone-answering service, but senior officers refused the expanded request.

Hunt contacted CIA technical officers seeking a credit card for operational use after other support had been terminated, and the request was refused.

Hunt's White House duties included assassinations-related disinformation. In September 1971, Hunt forged and offered to a Life magazine reporter two top-secret U.S. State Department cables designed to prove that President Kennedy had personally and specifically ordered the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu

Hunt's first assignment for the White House (Special Investigations Unit) was a covert operation to break into the Los Angeles office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis J. Fielding. In July 1971, Fielding had refused an FBI request for psychiatric data on Ellsberg. Hunt and Liddy cased the building in late August. The burglary, on September 3, 1971, was not detected, but no Ellsberg files were found

Hunt's first assignment for the White House (Special Investigations Unit) was a covert operation to break into the Los Angeles office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis J. Fielding. In July 1971, Fielding had refused an FBI request for psychiatric data on Ellsberg. Hunt and Liddy cased the building in late August. The burglary, on September 3, 1971, was not detected, but no Ellsberg files were found

Hunt's first assignment for the White House (Special Investigations Unit) was a covert operation to break into the Los Angeles office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis J. Fielding. In July 1971, Fielding had refused an FBI request for psychiatric data on Ellsberg. Hunt and Liddy cased the building in late August. The burglary, on September 3, 1971, was not detected, but no Ellsberg files were found

Hunt's first assignment for the White House (Special Investigations Unit) was a covert operation to break into the Los Angeles office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist, Dr. Lewis J. Fielding. In July 1971, Fielding had refused an FBI request for psychiatric data on Ellsberg. Hunt and Liddy cased the building in late August. The burglary, on September 3, 1971, was not detected, but no Ellsberg files were found

Everette Howard Hunt maintains that the reason for the break-in was the belief they would find records proving the Democrats had received illegal campaign contributions from the Castro regime.

Everette Howard Hunt organizes the bugging of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate office building and was also found to be responsible for a break-in at the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist.

Howard Hunt burgals the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the leaker of the secret "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War.

Everette Howard Hunt maintains that the reason for the break-in was the belief they would find records proving the Democrats had received illegal campaign contributions from the Castro regime.

Everette Howard Hunt organizes the bugging of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate office building and was also found to be responsible for a break-in at the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist.

Howard Hunt burgals the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the leaker of the secret "Pentagon Papers" about the Vietnam War.

CIA arranged to provide Hunt unclassified material concerning a 1954 French government-document leak for research connected with his White House work.

Hunt transmitted additional material connected with the White House request for analysis concerning Daniel Ellsberg after CIA technical support to Hunt had ended.

Hunt collaborated with G. Gordon Liddy as the broad Operation Gemstone political-intelligence plan was presented to senior Nixon campaign officials.

Hunt continued working with Liddy as the expensive Gemstone proposal was reduced after senior officials rejected the original plan.

A reduced campaign-intelligence program received approval, clearing the way for operations that eventually included illegal entry into Democratic offices.

Hunt asked CIA whether a brief return to active service could allow him to correct an earlier retirement-benefit election affecting his wife.

After the shooting of George Wallace, Hunt examined the feasibility of entering Arthur Bremer's apartment after Charles Colson raised a political operation involving the gunman.

CIA General Counsel advised Hunt that returning briefly to service merely to change retirement benefits would violate the spirit of the retirement law.

Hunt and Virgilio Gonzalez took part in an unsuccessful attempt to enter the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex.

Hunt's team made another unsuccessful effort to gain access to the Democratic National Committee offices before the successful entry the following night.

Hunt helped direct the successful entry in which the team photographed Democratic documents and installed electronic listening devices.

Hunt and Liddy operated from a nearby command location while the burglary team entered the Democratic National Committee offices.

The operation Hunt helped organize began monitoring conversations captured by listening equipment installed during the successful Watergate entry.

FBI investigators quickly identified Hunt as a significant lead because of his connections to the arrested burglars, the White House, and former CIA associates.

Wiretap material and photographs produced by the Watergate intelligence operation were passed through campaign channels to senior officials.

Hunt joined Liddy and the burglary team in final preparations for another entry into the Democratic National Committee offices.

D.C., seven men gathered to finalize their plans to break in to the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) headquarters, located on the sixth floor of one of the Watergate complex's six buildings.

In room 214 of the Watergate Hotel in Washington,

One of these men, G. Gordon Liddy, was a former FBI agent. Another, E. Howard Hunt, had retired from the CIA. James McCord would handle the bugging, Bernard Barker would photograph documents, and Virgilio Gonzalez would pick the locks.

The remaining two, Eugenio Martinez and Frank Sturgis, would serve as lookouts

D.C., seven men gathered to finalize their plans to break in to the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) headquarters, located on the sixth floor of one of the Watergate complex's six buildings.

In room 214 of the Watergate Hotel in Washington,

One of these men, G. Gordon Liddy, was a former FBI agent. Another, E. Howard Hunt, had retired from the CIA. James McCord would handle the bugging, Bernard Barker would photograph documents, and Virgilio Gonzalez would pick the locks.

The remaining two, Eugenio Martinez and Frank Sturgis, would serve as lookouts

D.C., seven men gathered to finalize their plans to break in to the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) headquarters, located on the sixth floor of one of the Watergate complex's six buildings.

In room 214 of the Watergate Hotel in Washington,

One of these men, G. Gordon Liddy, was a former FBI agent. Another, E. Howard Hunt, had retired from the CIA. James McCord would handle the bugging, Bernard Barker would photograph documents, and Virgilio Gonzalez would pick the locks.

The remaining two, Eugenio Martinez and Frank Sturgis, would serve as lookouts

Hunt learned that police had captured the five men inside the Democratic National Committee offices and left the nearby command area.

Gordon Liddy went to his office and commenced a shredding operation to eliminate any evidence of his involvement.

Liddy and Hunt had also worked at the White House, which made the Nixon connection more serious

Liddy worked for the Committee to Re-elect the President, sometimes referred to pejoratively as CREEP; his involvement was a direct connection to President Nixon. McCord was the chief security officer at CREEP.

The five burglars are processed at the police station, where several of them gave fake names. Hunt hired a lawyer to quickly bail the men out, but he underestimated the bail amount. G.

Gordon Liddy went to his office and commenced a shredding operation to eliminate any evidence of his involvement.

Liddy and Hunt had also worked at the White House, which made the Nixon connection more serious

Liddy worked for the Committee to Re-elect the President, sometimes referred to pejoratively as CREEP; his involvement was a direct connection to President Nixon. McCord was the chief security officer at CREEP.

The five burglars are processed at the police station, where several of them gave fake names. Hunt hired a lawyer to quickly bail the men out, but he underestimated the bail amount. G.

Hunt and Liddy directed the renewed Watergate operation intended to repair surveillance equipment and gather additional Democratic documents.

Frank Wills, a security guard at the Watergate Complex, noticed tape covering the latch on the locks of several stairway doors in the complex , allowing them to be closed without locking.

He removed the tape, and thought nothing of it. An hour later, he discovered that someone (McCord) had re-taped the locks.

Wills called the police, who showed up in plainclothes in an unmarked car, allowing them to pass by the lookout without the alarm being sounded. The burglars then turned off their radio when they heard noise in an adjacent stairwell

Frank Wills, a security guard at the Watergate Complex, noticed tape covering the latch on the locks of several stairway doors in the complex , allowing them to be closed without locking.

He removed the tape, and thought nothing of it. An hour later, he discovered that someone (McCord) had re-taped the locks.

Wills called the police, who showed up in plainclothes in an unmarked car, allowing them to pass by the lookout without the alarm being sounded. The burglars then turned off their radio when they heard noise in an adjacent stairwell

Howard Hunt recieves a call from the reporter Bob Woodward informing him that his name had been found in the address book of one of the burglars arrested the previous day at the Democratic party headquarters, in the Wate

Howard Hunt recieves a call from the reporter Bob Woodward informing him that his name had been found in the address book of one of the burglars arrested the previous day at the Democratic party headquarters, in the Watergate

Howard Hunt recieves a call from the reporter Bob Woodward informing him that his name had been found in the address book of one of the burglars arrested the previous day at the Democratic party headquarters, in the Wate

Howard Hunt recieves a call from the reporter Bob Woodward informing him that his name had been found in the address book of one of the burglars arrested the previous day at the Democratic party headquarters, in the Watergate

In fact, an elaborate cover-up was already under way. The charge that would stem from the cover-up, "obstruction of justice," would eventually bring Nixon down

Official reaction was swift. From the White House, Nixon's Press Secretary, Ron Zeigler, dismissed the incident as some sort of petty thievery attempt. John Mitchell, the head of CREEP, denied that the organization had any connection to the event.

The Washington Post reported, "One of the five men arrested early Saturday in the attempt to bug the Democratic National Committee headquarters is the salaried security coordinator for President Nixon's re-election committee." Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that a search

These public denials were lies.

the burglars had keys, and that inside one of them were address books that listed Howard Hunt's name or initials, and included the hand-written notation, "WH," for White House.

warrant had been executed for the hotel rooms for which

In fact, an elaborate cover-up was already under way. The charge that would stem from the cover-up, "obstruction of justice," would eventually bring Nixon down

Official reaction was swift. From the White House, Nixon's Press Secretary, Ron Zeigler, dismissed the incident as some sort of petty thievery attempt. John Mitchell, the head of CREEP, denied that the organization had any connection to the event.

The Washington Post reported, "One of the five men arrested early Saturday in the attempt to bug the Democratic National Committee headquarters is the salaried security coordinator for President Nixon's re-election committee." Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that a search

These public denials were lies.

the burglars had keys, and that inside one of them were address books that listed Howard Hunt's name or initials, and included the hand-written notation, "WH," for White House.

warrant had been executed for the hotel rooms for which

Hunt and fellow operative G. Gordon Liddy, along with the five burglars arrested at the Watergate, were indicted on federal charges

Hunt and fellow operative G. Gordon Liddy, along with the five burglars arrested at the Watergate, were indicted on federal charges

FBI records formally reflected Hunt's Watergate charges after his indictment for conspiracy and unlawful electronic-surveillance offenses.

As prosecution approached, Hunt sought money for legal costs, family support, and expenses while maintaining expectations of assistance from political associates.

Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash, and found it to be an accident caused by crew error.

Hunt's wife, Dorothy, was killed in the December 8, 1972 plane crash of United Airlines Flight 553 in Chicago.

Over $10,000 in cash was found in Dorothy Hunt's handbag in the wreckage

Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash, and found it to be an accident caused by crew error.

Hunt's wife, Dorothy, was killed in the December 8, 1972 plane crash of United Airlines Flight 553 in Chicago.

Over $10,000 in cash was found in Dorothy Hunt's handbag in the wreckage

Congress, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigated the crash, and found it to be an accident caused by crew error.

Hunt's wife, Dorothy, was killed in the December 8, 1972 plane crash of United Airlines Flight 553 in Chicago.

Over $10,000 in cash was found in Dorothy Hunt's handbag in the wreckage

Hunt put pressure on the White House and the Committee to Re-Elect the President for cash payments to cover legal fees, family support, and expenses, for himself and his fellow burglars.

Key Nixon figures, including Haldeman, Charles Colson, Herbert Kalmbach, John Mitchell, Fred LaRue, and John Dean eventually became entangled in the payoff schemes, and large amounts of money were passed to Hunt and his accomplices, to try to ensure their silence at the trial, by

Tenacious media, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, eventually used investigative journalism to break open the payoff scheme, and published many articles which proved to be the beginning of the end for the cover-up

pleading guilty to avoid prosecutors' questions, and afterwards.

Fred LaRue, and John Dean eventually became entangled in the payoff schemes, and large amounts of money were passed to Hunt and his accomplices, to try to ensure their silence at the trial, by

Hunt put pressure on the White House and the Committee to Re-Elect the President for cash payments to cover legal fees, family support, and expenses, for himself and his fellow burglars.

Key Nixon figures, including Haldeman, Charles Colson, Herbert Kalmbach, John Mitchell,

Tenacious media, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, eventually used investigative journalism to break open the payoff scheme, and published many articles which proved to be the beginning of the end for the cover-up

pleading guilty to avoid prosecutors' questions, and afterwards.

Fred LaRue, and John Dean eventually became entangled in the payoff schemes, and large amounts of money were passed to Hunt and his accomplices, to try to ensure their silence at the trial, by

Hunt put pressure on the White House and the Committee to Re-Elect the President for cash payments to cover legal fees, family support, and expenses, for himself and his fellow burglars.

Key Nixon figures, including Haldeman, Charles Colson, Herbert Kalmbach, John Mitchell,

Tenacious media, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, eventually used investigative journalism to break open the payoff scheme, and published many articles which proved to be the beginning of the end for the cover-up

pleading guilty to avoid prosecutors' questions, and afterwards.

Hunt pleaded guilty to Watergate-related conspiracy, burglary, and wiretapping charges rather than contesting the case through a full trial.

The five burglars plead guilty as their trial begins

The five burglars plead guilty as their trial begins

The five burglars plead guilty as their trial begins

Hunt met campaign attorney Paul O'Brien while pressing concerns that financial and other commitments made to him had not been fulfilled.

Hunt told Paul O'Brien that promised support had not been provided and referred to sensitive activities he had performed for the White House.

Fred LaRue arranged a cash payment to Hunt's attorney as White House and campaign officials struggled with continuing financial demands from the defendants.

Hunt entered District of Columbia jail custody after sentencing proceedings arising from his Watergate convictions.

Judge John Sirica granted Hunt immunity from further prosecution so investigators could compel additional testimony concerning Watergate-related matters.

Federal records show Hunt was received in Los Angeles under a writ while Watergate-related legal proceedings and investigations continued.

Hunt testified before the Watergate grand jury about discussions concerning money, commitments, and sensitive work he had performed for White House officials.

Hunt passed through federal detention in New York while being transported under custody for continuing Watergate proceedings.

Hunt testified publicly before the Senate Watergate Committee about his CIA background, White House assignments, political intelligence work, and the Watergate break-ins.

Hunt continued answering Senate questions about Charles Colson, G. Gordon Liddy, campaign intelligence operations, and his understanding of White House authority.

Court records reflected a modification of Hunt's Watergate sentence while his imprisonment and related legal proceedings continued.

Hunt published Undercover, a memoir describing his intelligence career, Bay of Pigs work, White House assignments, and account of the Watergate scandal.

Hunt continued serving his Watergate sentence in the federal prison system after multiple transfers among detention and correctional facilities.

Hunt eventually spent 33 months in prison at the low-security Federal Prison Camp at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on a conspiracy charge, arriving there on April 25, 1975

Hunt eventually spent 33 months in prison at the low-security Federal Prison Camp at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on a conspiracy charge, arriving there on April 25, 1975

Hunt was released after serving roughly thirty-three months in custody for his Watergate convictions.

In the article Marchetti argued that the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) had obtained a 1966 CIA memo that revealed Hemming, E. Howard Hunt, and Frank Sturgis had been involved in the plot to kill Kennedy

Victor Marchetti publishes an article about the assassination of John F. Kennedy in the Liberty Lobby newspaper, The Spotlight.

In the article Marchetti argued that the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) had obtained a 1966 CIA memo that revealed Hemming, E. Howard Hunt, and Frank Sturgis had been involved in the plot to kill Kennedy

Victor Marchetti publishes an article about the assassination of John F. Kennedy in the Liberty Lobby newspaper, The Spotlight.

Is named in allegations examined during the committee period.

Hunt is awarded $650,000 in a libel lawsuit against Liberty Lobby, after it published an article by Victor Marchetti in its newspaper The Spotlight accusing Hunt of involvement in the conspiracy to kill John F. Kennedy

Federal records from 1981 and 1982 document official consideration of Hunt's request for a presidential pardon following his Watergate conviction.

Mark Lane, author of the best-selling "Rush to Judgment," successfully defends Liberty Lobby in a second trial in 1985, overturning the original libel award of 1981

CIA-related assassination records become part of later investigations.

Mark Lane outlines his theory about Hunts and the CIAs role in Kennedys murder in a 1991 book, "Plausible Denial."

Hunt's memoir American Spy was published, recounting his CIA service, anti-Castro work, White House operations, Watergate, and later reflections.

After the death of Hunt in 2007, Saint John Hunt and David Hunt stated that their father had recorded several claims about himself and others being involved in a conspiracy to assassinate John F. Kennedy

After the death of Hunt in 2007, Saint John Hunt and David Hunt stated that their father had recorded several claims about himself and others being involved in a conspiracy to assassinate John F. Kennedy

In the issue of Rolling Stone, St.

In the issue of Rolling Stone, St. John Hunt detailed a number of individuals purported to be implicated by his father including Sturgis.

The two sons of Howard Hunt alleged that their father cut the information from his memoirs, "American Spy: My Secret History in the CIA, Watergate and Beyond", to avoid possible perjury charges.

as well as Lyndon B. Johnson, Cord Meyer, David Sanchez Morales, David Atlee Phillips, Lucien Sarti, and William Harvey.

Death of Everette Howard Hunt