E. Howard Hunt

E. Howard Hunt was a prominent figure in the Central Intelligence Agency and a key player in the Watergate scandal. He was born in New York City, New York, and grew up in a family of Hudson River valley Dutch Americans. Hunt's early life was marked by a strong interest in literature and politics, which would later influence his career as a spy and novelist. He attended Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and later graduated from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society and developed friendships with fellow students, including John F. Kennedy and Gore Vidal.

● Early Life and Education

Hunt's family had a long history of public service, with his father, E. Howard Hunt Sr., serving as an attorney and judge in New York State. This exposure to law and politics likely influenced Hunt's decision to pursue a career in intelligence. After graduating from Brown University, Hunt attended the University of Mexico, where he studied Spanish language and culture. He later moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as a screenwriter for Paramount Pictures and developed connections with Hollywood figures, including Orson Welles and John Ford. Hunt's experiences in Mexico City and Washington, D.C. helped shape his interests in international relations and espionage, which would eventually lead him to join the Central Intelligence Agency.

● Career

Hunt began his career in intelligence during World War II, serving in the United States Navy and later joining the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. After the war, he worked as a diplomat in China and Japan, where he developed relationships with Chiang Kai-shek and Douglas MacArthur. In the 1950s, Hunt joined the Central Intelligence Agency, where he worked on covert operations in Latin America, including the Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs invasion. He also collaborated with Allen Dulles and Richard Helms on various CIA projects, including the Operation Mongoose and the Operation Ajax. Hunt's work in the CIA brought him into contact with other notable figures, including Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and Jacobo Árbenz.

● Watergate Scandal

Hunt's involvement in the Watergate scandal began in 1971, when he was hired by the Nixon administration to conduct surveillance and break-ins at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. He worked closely with G. Gordon Liddy and other plumbers to carry out the Watergate break-in, which ultimately led to the resignation of Richard Nixon. Hunt's role in the scandal was significant, as he helped to plan and execute the break-in and later attempted to cover up the CIA's involvement. He was eventually convicted of conspiracy and burglary and served 33 months in federal prison. The Watergate scandal also involved other notable figures, including John Dean, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman.

● Later Life and Death

After his release from prison, Hunt returned to Miami, Florida, where he lived a relatively quiet life. He continued to write novels and memoirs, including his autobiography, American Spy: My Secret History in the CIA, Watergate and Beyond. Hunt also became a vocal critic of the CIA and the Nixon administration, speaking out against the abuses of power and corruption that he had witnessed during his career. He died on January 23, 2007, at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as a complex and controversial figure in American history. Hunt's later life was also marked by his relationships with other notable figures, including William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal.

● Legacy

Hunt's legacy is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both his achievements as a spy and novelist and his involvement in the Watergate scandal. He is remembered as a key figure in the Central Intelligence Agency and a pioneer in the field of covert operations. However, his role in the Watergate scandal and his subsequent conviction have also tarnished his reputation. Despite this, Hunt remains an important figure in American history, and his writings continue to offer valuable insights into the world of espionage and politics. His legacy is also tied to that of other notable figures, including Richard Nixon, J. Edgar Hoover, and Henry Kissinger.