Held

Held Hostage in Iran





A First Tour Like No Other

William J. Daugherty



I do not recall now the exact circum to NE Division. At thatpoint, dur

stances in which I was finally and ing Saturday visit to Headquarters,

a



firmly offered Tehran for a first tour, the deputy chief of NE Division

nor even who made the offer. I do (DC/NE), knowing of my participa

know, though, that I did not hesitate tion in the special program, raised the

a second to say yes. For the most

possibility of my being assigned to

part, I have not regretted that deci Tehraneven though I possessed

sion, but at times it is only with a absolutely no academic knowledge of,

prodigious dose of hindsight that I nor any practical experience whatso



have been able to keep it in perspec ever with, anything Iranian.

It is not often that a

tive. After all, it is not often that a



newly minted case newly minted case officer in the

CIAs Directorate of Operations By the time of this conversation in

officer in the CIAs spring 1979, Tehran station was in

(DO) spends his first tour in jail.

the midst of coping with postrevolu

Directorate of

I recruited into the in

tionary Iran. The Shah (ruling

Operations spends was Agency monarch) of Iran had fled the coun

1978, during my last year of gradu

his first tour try on January, and soon

16

ate school, and I entered on duty the

thereafteron 2 FebruaryAyatol

January. In my recruitment

in jail. next



told about

lah Khomeini returned from exile in

interviews, I was a special France to oversee a government

program managed by the DOs founded his of an

Career Management Staff that was

on perception

Islamic state. Also of importance to

designed to place a few selected first-

later events, US Embassy and station

tour officers overseas in a minimal

personnel had already been taken

period of time, without lengthy expo for several hours, 14 Feb

sure to Washington fishbowl or

the hostage on



ruary 1979, in what came to be called

reliance on light cover. The program

the St. Valentines Day Open House.

sounded fine to me, and so I joined

the Agency and was rushed through

the Career Training (CT) program by This last event triggered an almost

skipping the standard six months of total drawdown of Embassy and sta



interim assignments. tion personnel, along with a

reduction of active-duty American

Something else that presented a prob military forces in Iran from about

WifliamJ. Daugherty, Ph.D., 10,000 to a dozen or so, divided

lem initiallybut later came to be a

served in the Directorate of Opera

blessing in disguisewas that I between the Defense AttachØs Office

tions. He is now a faculty member at

enjoyed an astonishingly small (DAO) and the Military Assistance

a universityin the southern United amount of knowledge of the DO and Advisory Group (MAAG). It did not,

States. In 1997 the Editorial Board of

how it did its business. Despite that however, generate much (if any) sen

Studies in Intelligence chose him to

the levels of the

innocent state, I managed to do well timent at highest

receive the annual Sherman Kent in training. I was particularly capti United States Government for dis

Award for the most significant contri vated by the stories told by the rupting or breaking diplomatic

bution to the literature of intelligence instructors from the DOs Near East relations with Iran. In fact, it served

submitted for publication in Studies. (NE) Division, and by the challeng mainly to strengthen American deter

ing situations found in the Middle mination to reconcile with Irans

Copyright 1996 by William J. East; midway through the training Provisional Revolutionary

Daugherty course, I had decided I wanted to go Government.





1

Iran









Tehran was a hostile

environment in which

contacts and agents

By March, Tehran station consisted

their

in Tehran and, when my candidacy

of several case officers and communi

were placing was raised with him, he did not hesi

catorsrotating in and out of Iran on a lives at risk... tate to say yes. Later, he told me that



temporary duty basis. But NE given a choice between a well-trained,

Division was already looking ahead to aggressive, and smart first-tour officer

the time when the station could again or a more experienced but reluctantly



be staffed with permanently assigned assigned officer who would rather have

personnel and functioning as a sta been somewhere else, he would take

situations and high standards of

to

tion shouldrecruiting agents and the first-tour officer. I thought then,

performance. On returning to school,

collecting intelligence. And that was I earned a Ph.D. in Government, spe

and have thought ever since, that the

the of affairs when I met DC!

state COS made courageous decision

a

cializing in Executive-Congressional

NE in Langley on that spring day.

relations and Constitutional law one that, had I been in his place, I

asso

might have decided differently. He

ciated with Americanforeign policy. earned my respect right then and

This background seemed to nudge

The Right Background DC/NE toward selecting me for there, and it has never waned.

Tehran, and later it also was to serve



The deputy chief had fair reason to me well in critical ways, in circum

I accepted quickly. Shortly after

consider placing me in Tehran sta stances the nature of which I could ward, elated at the thought of going



to a very-high-visibility post of great

tion. First, my special program had have scarcely conceived.

kept my cover clean: I had no visible significance to policymakers, I was on

affiliation with the US Government, the desk reading in. When the day

Soon after my conversation with the

came to depart for Tehran, I called

much less with the Agency or any of DC/NE, however, I was told that the

its usual cover providers. I did have on DC/NE. He ushered me into his

Tehran assignment was being with

military serviceeight years of active drawn. When the office, chatted a minute or two about

acting chief of

duty with the US Marine Corps. But station (COS) offered my itinerary, wished me well, and,

was an inexpe

between those years and my entry on rienced first-tour officer, he not

shaking my hand, looked at me and



duty with the Agency I had spent 5 said, Dont expletive] up. I wish

unwisely rejected me. His position,

1/2 years as a university student. he had been able to convey that mes

which is difficult to rebut, was that

Tehran was a hostile environment in sage to afew other government



which contacts and agents were plac officials downtown.

The nature of my military experience

and education ing their lives at risk by meeting in

probably also helped

discreet circumstances with Ameri

prompt DC/NE to look at me for

can Embassy officers (all of whom, of Historical Perspective

assignment to Tehran. During my

eight years of Marine Corps service, I course, were considered by many Ira



had first been an air traffic controller nians to be CIA). Therefore, our Iran (then known as Persia) at the

and, for more than half my service Iranian assets deserved to be handled turn of the century was a barren

time, a designated Naval Flight by experienced officers who knew country barely existing as a grouping

Officer flying as a weapons system what to do and how to do it. Fur of tribal fiefdoms, more or less caught

officer in high-performance jets. ther,any compromise whatsoever, for in the rivalry between Russia and

When my time for a tour in Vietnam any reason, would unquestionably Britain. The discovery of oil in Persia

rolled around, I was assigned to a have repercussions for US-Ira

severe in 1908 changed things considerably

fighter/attack squadron deployed nian relations, which the Carter for the Persian people and the two

aboard aircraft carrier. I flew 76

an

administration was trying to resur

competing empires, particularly the

missions over North Vietnam, South rect. Hence I was offered another British, but had little initial impact

Vietnam, and Laos in the venerable F- station as an alternative. on US interests. With the events in

4 Phantom. While no hero (indeed, I revolutionary Russia in 1916 and

was the most junior and least experi It sometime in late June or early

was 1917, that nations ability to exercise

enced aviator in the squadron), I July, while I was on the other country power and influence in Persia dimin

nonetheless had been subjected to the desk, that I was again offered Tehran. ished, and Persia quickly became fully

pressures of potential life-and-death A permanent COS had finally arrived incorporated into Britains sphere of







2

Iran









CIA involvement in the

overthrow of Prime

Minister Mohammed

influence. Succeeding US presidents Instead, relying sympathizers in

on



avoided any official contact or Mossadeq in 1953 the local populace they had worked

involvement, preferring instead to loomed extraordinarily to cultivate during the war, the Sovi

sidestep Persian entreaties and to rec ets commenced a blatant attempt to



ognize that the country was now

large in the minds of annex the northern regions of Iran,

within the British sphere. Iranians. coveting both the oil and access to a

warm-water port. By the time Ameri



In 1925 a Persian Army offIcer,



Pahlavi, became something of a

Reza 9, can and British troops had departed



from Iran in spring 1946, the Soviets

national hero by halting a Commu were firmly ensconced in the prov

nist-sponsored revolt in northern to the Soviet borders in northwestern ince of Azerbaijan and were moving

Persia. He parlayed that success into Iran. The Transcaucasus thrust also into Irans Kurdish region.

being elected Shah by the civilian threatened Iranian oil fields, for

Parliament, and then turned that which Germanys need was desperate. Although George Kennan was still a

semidemocratic position into a highly year away from enshrining the geopo

autocratic dictatorship. In short, he The outcome was the occupation of litical strategy of containment in his

became just the latest in a centuries- Iran in the north by Soviet troops and celebrated Mr. X article, the high

long line of Persian masters who in the south by predominantly Brit estofficials in the US Government

ruled by fiat and fear. ish forces. Reza Shah (whose army had already recognized the true

was completely undistinguished in its nature of Stalins Soviet Union and

Officially calling his country Iran, effortsto deter the arrival of foreign the need prevent, where possible

to



Reza Shah began a reign that left him troops) was forced into exile on the and practical, the USSRs expansion

popular with virtually no one. Before island of Mauritius, and his teenage beyond its own borders. Exerting

World War II, he engaged in mod son, Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, was strong diplomatic efforts, including

ernization of his country, although placed on the throne in a figurehead mobilization of the nascent UN Gen

not necessarily for benevolent or pub status. During this period, both Soviet eral Assembly, the US Government

lic-spirited motives (one of many and British troops earned Iranian finally succeeded in getting the Sovi

reasons he was detested by his sub antipathy as occupiers who were, in ets our of Iran and in having their



jects). During his reign, Iranian-US the eyes of most Iranians, looting puppet governments in Azerbaijan

relations continued low ebb, with

at a their country while fighting a war in and Kurdistan disbanded.

neither country understanding the which Iran had no stake. (This enmity

others culture and with much dis was not without justification,

some Now, with Soviet and British influ

trust existing on both sides. although the British given

were never ence over Iran greatly diminished,



the credit they deserved for signifi US-Iranian relations on all fronts

It took World War II to create the cant and measurable assistance to the gradually expanded, with the first

Iranian-US ties that were eventually Iranian people throughout this arms sale by the United States to the



to become so seemingly invincible period.) All of this, of course, deep Iranian military coming in June

and permanent. The Soviet Union ened Iranian suspicions of foreigners 1947. From then on, oil and strate

had been invaded by the Nazis in and hostility toward outsiders who gic imperatives cemented and drove

June 1941 with three field armies, tried to or, in this instance, actually this unnatural relationship, despite

one of which headed for the Trans did control the country. The US Gov continuing and increasing distrust

caucasus region in southwestern ernments stake in Iran, as well as its and antipathy toward each other over

Russia. With vital lines of transport diplomatic and military presence, the next decades.

and communication severed, there concomitantly increased as a conse

remained only two avenues of supply quence of Americas unyielding CIA involvement in the overthrow of

by which needed US lend-lease and support to its wartime allies, Britain Prime Minister Mohammed Mos

other materials could reach the Sovi and the Soviet Union. sadeq in 1953 loomed extraordinarily

ets: the always dangerous Murmansk large in the minds of Iranians. In

Run for ship convoys, and the Trans With the war over in 1945, the Sovi April 1951 the then-popular but

Iranian Railroad reaching from the ets refused toleave Iran, as previously eccentric Mossadeq, a wealthy career

warm-water ports of the Persian Gulf agreed to under a 1943 treaty. civil servant and uncompromising





3

Iran









The United States,

driven by the

inexorable forces of

nationalist, had been appointed by the education notwithstanding, this

the Cold War,

Shah as prime minister replace

to his woman insisted that the Iranian Gov

assassinated predecessor. Shortly increasingly assumed ernment was directly controlled by

thereafter, the Shah, under pressure the CIA. She said that the chief of the

the role of chief

from Irans political center and left, Iranian desk at CIA

Headquarters

signed an order nationalizing the Brit protector for Iran and talked every day to the Shah by tele

ish-dominated, putatively jointly the Shah. phone to give the monarch his

owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Company instructions for that particular day,

(AIOC); Mossadeq had earlier sub and that the US Government had

mitted, and the Majlis (parliament) 9, made a deliberate decision to rid Iran

had approved, legislation mandating of the Shah. Since the US Govern

AIOCs nationalization. The ultrana ment did not, in her scenario, have

tionalist who had

Mossadeq, little about Iran, I knew even less any idea whom it wanted to replace

advocated remaining aloof from both about Iranians. My entire exposure to

the Shah as ruler, it had decided to

the Soviets and the Americans (rather the television install Khomeini as the temporary

Iran, beyond evening

than continuing the usual strategy of news and a three-week area studies puppet until the CIA selected a new

embracing both in order to play one course at the State

Department, con Shah. I was both fascinated and stu



off against the other), soon came to be sisted of what I had picked up during pefied by this explanation of the

seen by many in the West, including five weeks on the desk reading opera Shahs downfall.

Washington, as de facto pro-Soviet. tional files.

The womans unshakable theory did

The nationalization of AIOC touched not encompass an explanation of why

off two years of political turmoil, dur Virtually all my insights into Persian the United States would have permit

minds and personalities came from a

ing which Mossadeqs popular support ted the bloody street riots in 1977 and

eroded. This period culminated in lengthy memo written by the recently 1978. Nor did it explain why, if the



August 1953 with the Shahs flight reassigned political counselor, which US Government (or the CIA) wanted

described in detail (the accuracy of

into a brief exile, CIAs stage-manage the Shah to leave, he was not just

which I would have ample time to

ment (under explicit Presidential ordered to go, thereby avoiding the

directive) of the the confirm) how Iranians viewed the enormous problems of revolutionary

coup against

Prime Minister, and the Shahs return

world, and why and how they thought Iran.

and believed as they did. It did not

(with US Government assistance) and

take much to see that even friendly

consolidation of his power. Subse My initial weeks in Tehran

passed

and pro-Western Iranians could be

quently the United States, driven by quickly. The

ChargØ, L. Bruce Lain

difficult to deal or reason with, or to

the inexorable forces of the Cold War,

otherwise comprehend. The ability gen, was more than helpful, as was

increasingly assumed the role of chief Maj. Gen. Phillip Gast, US Air

protector for Iran and the Shah, leav

displayed by many Iranians to simulta Force, head of the MAAG, with both

ing many Iranians more convinced neously avow antithetical beliefs or of them generously taking care to

than that the Shah and their positions was just one of their quainter

ever

character traits.

include me as aparticipant in sub

country were simply a dominion of stantive meetings at the Ministry of

the United States, administered by or Affairs (MFA) and Iranian

Foreign

through the CIA. The seeds of the Ira One memorable introduction to all General Staff Headquarters. I worked

nian revolution of 1978-79 being thiswas my first encounter with the full-time the

were

essentially during day on

sown. Iranian elite several weeks after my cover duties, which I found much

arrival. In this instance, I met with an more interesting than onerous, deal

upper-class Iranian woman who was ing with issues of genuine import; in

Fifty-Three Days partnered with her husband in a suc the evenings, I reverted to my true



cessful construction company. This persona as a CIA officer. I was

case



.1 arrived in Tehran on 12 September couple was wealthy and held degrees 32 years old, at the top of my form

1979 and began the first of what from European and American univer both physically and mentally. Captiv

turned out to be only 53 days of sities. They were well traveled. But, ity was tochange all that, and I have

actual operational work. If I knew her exposure to the West and level of never since regained that same degree







4

Iran









Hundreds of thousands

of Iranians were



enraged by the decision

of mental acuity and agility. But dur humanitarian reasons. The Presi

to admit the Shah,

ing those 53 days on the streets of dent, familiar with warnings from

Tehran, I reveled in it all. seeing in him despot

a Bruce Laingen about the danger to

the Embassy if the Shah were to be

who was anything but

On 21 October, however, I came to admitted to the United States, asked

realize that my euphoria would proba an adherent to what the advisers would recommend

bly be short-lived. On that date, the when the revolutionaries took the

humanitarian

other station case officer (as acting Embassy staff hostage. No one



COS) shared a cable with me in which principles. responded.

CIA Headquarters advised that the

President had decided that day to

admit the Shah, by then fatally ill with

9~ Hundreds of thousands of Iranians

wereenraged by the decision to admit

cancer, into the United States for med the Shah,seeing in him a despot who

ical treatment. I could not believe what was anything but an adherent to

I was reading. The Shah had left Iran also humanitarian principles. They also

in mid-January 1979 and had since led working to build a productive

felt, not for the first time, a strong

he had relationship with the new revolution

a peripatetic life; indeed, even

sense of betrayal by the US President.

offer of comfortable exile in ary regime. Thus, as a practical

rejected an

America(to the relief of many US working plan, the greater the Ameri

can distance from the Shah, the better

Government officials). Now, with US

for the new relationshipand vice Disillusionment

Iranian relations still unstable and with

versa. The Shahs entry into the

an intense distrust of the United States

United States 10 months later, how In 1976, Carter had

permeating the new Iranian revolu Jimmy cam



ever, quickly unraveled all that had

tionary government, the Shah and his paigned for the presidency on a

been achieved and rendered impossi

doctors had decided the United States platform that included a strongly

ble all that might have been stated position advocating human

was the only place where he could find



the medical care he needed. accomplished in the future. rights around the world. Friendly or

allied nations exhibiting poor adher

When the Shahs doctors contacted ence to those criteria were not to be

The Shah Comes to America the US Government on 20 October excluded from sanctions, one of

1979 and requested that he be admit

which was the withholding of US

Since February 1979, strong pressure ted immediately into the United military/security support and related

President Carter for the Shah to be States for emergency medical treat assistance. Many Iranians heard this

on



admitted to the United States had and took heart, believing that Presi

ment, the President quickly convened

been openly and unrelentingly applied dent Carter would cease US support

a gathering of the National Security

to the Shahs government while also

by powerful people inside and out Council principals to decide the issue.

side the US Government, particularly Only Secretary of State Vance easing, or stopping completely, the

abuses taking place in their country.

by National Security Adviser Zbig opposed the request; the others either

niew Brzezinski and banking magnate strongly supported it or acquiesced.

David Rockefeller, with added sup The CIA was represented by DDCI On 31 December 1977, while the

port from former Secretary of State Frank Carlucci in the absence of DCI President was making a state visit to

Henry Kissinger. Had the Shah come Stansfield Turner; it is instructive to Iran, he openly referred to the coun



directly to the United States when he note that Carlucci was not asked for try as an island of stability in a sea of

left Iran in January 1979, there proba CIAs assessment of the situation. The turmoil, lauding the Shah for a com





bly would have been little or no meeting concluded with President mitment to democracy. All Iranians

problemthe Iranians themselves Carter, whileharboring significant were keenly aware of the rioting that

expected this to happen and were sur misgivings about letting the Shah in, had broken out in their cities during

prised when it did not. But, as the nonetheless acceding to the majority the past year. Such disturbances were



ousted monarch continued to roam vote and granting permission for the occurring ever more frequently,

the world, the US Government was Shah to enter the United States for accompanied by a mounting death





5

Iran









To the ever-suspicious

Iranian radicals, the

admission of the Shah

toll at the hands of the Army and the fire, Prime Minister Mehdi Bazargan

for medical treatment

internal security forces. and Foreign Minister Ibrahim Yazdi

was a sham

designed to (a graduate of a US medical school

To many Iranians, this seeming who had practiced his profession in

hide a conspiracy

unwillingness of President Carter to the United States, and who held a





accept reality was a bitter sign that he aimed at overthrowing Permanent Resident Alien green

had been dishonest and deceptive in card) met briefly with National Secu

their revolutionary

his often-stated desire to promote rity Adviser Brzezinski in Algiers on 1

human rights. Those few spoken government. November 1979, during the celebra

words by the President generated an tion of Algerias independence day.

intense disillusionment within the ~9 In this meeting, which was not publi

Iranian populaceabout which my cized in Algiers, the Shah and the

militant captors frequently talked future of US-Iranian relations were

during the hundreds of hours of discussed. When the radicals in

harangues, discussions, and debates I That said, I doubt that the United Tehran learned of these talks, they

was to have with them. States would have been able to reju used Radio Tehran to claim that

venate its relations with Iran even if nefarious motives lay behind the

Now the same President who had the Shah had been denied admission meeting.

spoken fervently in support of human to enter the United States. With

rights was letting the Shah into the hindsight, it is easily arguable that, if In the eyes of the ~adicals, the prime

United States for putatively humani the militants had not used US admis minister and the foreign minister

tarian reasons. Again, a sense of sion of the Shah as a pretext to take weremeeting secretly and conspir

betrayal flooded the Iranian people. the Embassy and break relations, ing a representative of the US

with

some other unacceptable act would President. The inevitable conclusion

There was one notable irony in the have occurred to sever the relation was that the United States was again

decision to the Shah into the

bring ship. The Iranian revolutionary planning to return the Shah to power

United States. After the Embassy was regime continued to engage in state- in Iran. At a protest march in Tehran

seized, President Carter publicly pro supported terrorism, murders of attended by anywhere from 1 million

claimed that the lives and safety of the exiled dissidents, and attempts to to3 million demonstrators, the stage

Embassy hostages were his first con acquire nuclear weapons. The coun was set for actions against the Ameri



sideration. It unfortunate that we

was trys new rulers also made an can Embassy in Tehran and the

did not occupy the same position in enormous (and at least partially suc actors were placed into motion.

his hierarchy of priorities on 20 Octo cessful) effort export the revolution

to



ber; instead, the lives and safety of 66 to other nations. The United States



Americans were secondary to the life would not have been able to do busi Shaky Security

of a man who was already dying. I ness with such a hostile and outlaw

have never understood that logic. government. Refusing the Shah We all knew the Embassy was vulner

would simply have prolonged what, able, despite additional physical

It is not accurate to say that the poli in retrospect, was inevitable. security measures taken to protect the



cies of and actions by President chancery following the St. Valen

Carter and his advisers created the tines Day Open House. But the

Iranian crisis; they in fact inherited building had not been rendered

and continued

Feeding Xenophobia

policies put in place impervious to assault; rather, the

by their predecessors. What is clear is structure had merely been hard



that President Carter was not well To the ever-suspicious Iranian radi ened to provide protection from

served by several of his advisers in cals, the admission of the Shah for gunfire, increase the difficulty of

their unwillingness to face the possi medical treatment was a sham forced entry, and establish an area of

bility that, the Shahs regime might designed to hide a conspiracy aimed (relative) safety where the Embassy

not last the decade, much less to the atoverthrowing their revolutionary staff could hold out until help

end of the century. government. To add more fuel to the arrived. With news of the Shahs









6

Iran









admittance into the United States, Somewhat disingenuously, he replied visiting the DAO or the political

there came a certain realization that it only that he did not think it proper offices, I had often seen safes with

would now be just a matter of days for those of us in Washington to be multiple drawers open. I had been

before the Iranians reacted. The only second-guessing the

assessments of dismayed by the amount of paper

question we had was whether they those who are actually on ~he remaining in a building so vulnerable

would repeat the 14 February take ground. I let the matter drop.) to another takeover.

over, with more serious



consequences, or renew the terrorist One other sign that the State and Twice in the summer of 1979, Charge

attacksagainst US officials that had Defense Departments were buying Laingen had been queried by State as



occurred early in the decade. But no into the perfectly safe assessment to when and whether the Shah should

new changes were made in the was the presence of literally thou or could be admitted to the United

Embassys security posture. sands of classified documents in the States. Each time, he replied that this

Embassy. Following the 14 February would eventually be feasible, but not

From all outward appearances, life takeover, many Embassy safes and before the US Government had fully

seemed normal. The Embassy staff files had been flown to storage in signaled acceptance of the revolution

was being told that it was safe in Frankfurt, including over 30 safe and not before the Provisional Revo

Tehran, and employees were being drawers of materials from the Defense lutionary Government had been

encouraged to bring over their fami Attache Office. By mid-July, how replaced by a more stable and perma

lies, including preschool-age children; ever, those files were back in Tehran, nent government. To do otherwise,

on the day of the takeover there were in anticipation of better relations he warned, would place the Embassy

severaldependent families of with the new government and and its staff in serious jeopardy. Nei

Embassy staff at the Frankfurt air improved security measures at the ther criteria had been met before the

port waiting to fly to Tehran. Embassy. In addition to the DAO Shah arrived in New York, nor was

files, the political section had more there any sign that officials in Wash

The chief purveyor of this position than 24 safe drawers full of files, and ington were giving much thought or



wasthe State Departments office the economic section had roughly the credence to Laingens position.

director for Iran, who was visiting the same number. Also on hand were all

Embassy when the news of the Shahs the personnel files for the Embassy

admittance into the United States was staff of about 70. (The Iranian mili Dubious Policies and Practices

announced to the staff. Bruce Lain tants eventually published the





gen asked the office director to join documents taken from Embassy safes, It was only after our release in Janu

him on the trip to the MFA to inform along with translations into Farsi. As

ary 1981 that I came to understand

the Iranians and to ask for protection of around 1990, the Iranians had fully why security precautions were

for the Embassy, which Foreign Min published more than 65 volumes of ignored and our concerns unheeded.

ister Yazdi personally promised. these documents.) As background, it is useful to remem

ber that the Carter administration,

Unbeknownst however, the

to us, The political and economic section particularly in the person of Dr.

same office director had, while in files included documents going back Brzezinski, strongly desired to



Washington before his trip, written a to the mid-1950s, useful only in a his maintain friendly relations and a close

series of discussing in detail

memos torical context, if that. These files military relationship with Iran. For

the lack of adequate security at the provided the means to compile a list Brzezinski, Iran was the cornerstone



Embassy and the dangers the staff of all Iranians who had visited the of his plan to thwart Soviet expansion

faced if the Shah came into the Embassy officially during the past 25 in the region; it was also a key nation

United States. He said nothing of this years. As it turned out, someone did on which the United States would

to Embassy staff during his visit,

the make a list, creating serious problems rely to maintain regional stability. To

preferring instead to repeat that it was for hundreds of Iranians who found assist in making thisstrategic vision a

now perfectly safe for us to be in themselves accused of espionage and reality, the Carter administration con



Iran. (In a chance encounter with this interrogated by militants demanding tinued the program begun in the

officer following my return to the to know why they had visited the spy Nixon years to expand Iranian mili

United States, I raised the issue. den two decades previously. When tary capabilities substantially.









7

Iran









Iranian militants invade US ~ t~u.,..iber U,









Beginning in the early 1970s with the from the Iranian people to whom the rity organization, to maintain his

sale of 72 advanced F-14 Tomcat monies truly belonged. oppressive regime.

fighter-interceptor aircraft to the Ira

nian Air Force, the United States The Shah was the key to Dr. Brzezin To ensure that the Shah remained in

steadily built up the Iranian military. skis strategic vision. The monarch power, the US Government was



Iran was the only country in the had required to essentially a blind eye

pushed the Iranians into the 20th turn

world to which the United States had the harsh measures he employed to

century, modernizing the country as to



sold the F-14. In the pipeline by silence his critics. In ill-considered

rapidly as he could spend the money an



1979 about $6 billion worth of policy early in the life of SAVAK, this

necessary to do sobut not always

was



military materials, including four wisely or productively. He especially force had been turned loose against

technologically advanced Spruance kept pressing the United States to opponents of the regime and against

class destroyers. A side benefit of this the general populace, even for minor

provide him with military equipment

largess was Iranian permission for the far too technical and complicated for civil infractions. Thus, large seg

United States to establish and main his own military forces to maintain or ments of the population came to

tain two sensitive signals intelligence use, as well as sufficient quantities of suffer cruelly and often unjustly at

collection sites in the northern part of for him SAVAKs hands.

military supplies to maintain

the country to intercept data link a standing force much larger than

communications of Soviet missile

many American officials believed nec Dr. Brzezinski, moreover, seemed to

tests.

essary. The Nixon administration become unwilling to accept any pos

acceded to the Shahs demands. In sibility that the Shahs regime might

But hundreds of thousands of Irani modernizing and enlarging his mili be risk from internal pressures that

at



ans who did not benefit from this tary, however, the Iranian monarch could lead to his overthrow. For

official American aid or understand created a hollow force supplied with Brzezinskis strategy to be success

the reasons behind it viewed all this as the latest intechnological equipment fully implemented, the Shah had to

a greedy, imperialistic America but lacking in effective command remain in power at least until the

working with a greedy, corrupt Ira leadership. He also came to depend 1990s. Finally, in its efforts to please

nian Government to steal oil revenues heavily on SAVAK, the internal the Shah, the US Government for a









8

Iran









I looked out the

window and saw



young-looking Iranians

number of years had relied on infor side, opposite the grand staircase ris

mation he provided on the stability of

swarming about the ing up from the entrance. It consisted

the country and the threat to his grounds surrounding of the outer office occupied by the

regime, eschewing any intelligence secretaries and the offices of the

(non

the chancery.

against internal Ira

collection efforts existent) ambassador and deputy chief

nian political of mission. ChargØ Laingen using

targets.

~9 the ambassadorial office.

was









As thepopulace became increasingly The security drill required that all

unhappy with the regimes oppres American and local

siveness and and with the

employees in the

corruption

deterioration of the economy, resis The Ordeal Begins chancery were to move up to the

tance to secular authority by Iranian

buildings second floor. There, we

were to be protected by a heavy-gauge

Islamic fundamentalists intensified

Sunday 4 November 1979 was the steel door at the top of the winding

and open displays of dissidence first day of the normal workweek for staircase ascending from the main

became more frequent. By 1977, the Embassy (in Muslim countries,

entrance, located in the middle-front

street demonstrations were turning the weekend consists of Fridaythe of the building. The door was touted

into open rioting, with a growing loss holy dayand Saturday), and I was to be virtually impossible to breach.

of life. in the office by 0730. At about 0845, Thus protected, we were to sit tight

I heard the first stirrings of a crowd and await the arrival of the Iranian

gathering in front of the Embassy for

When the Embassy began reporting police or militarythe protection

one of the

frequent demonstrations

these events and citing growing indi Foreign Minister Yazdi had prom

we were subjected to, but it was noth ised the office

cations that perhaps the Shahs grip to Laingen and

was slipping, Dr. Brzezinski, and, by

ing out of the ordinary. I paid it little director from Washington.

heed. Absorbed in work, I was

extension the President, became criti

unaware of the time when the crowd

cal of the Embassys reporting. The With the hallway full of localemploy

noise became louder and closer, but it

incumbent ambassador was replaced ees, most of us Americans stayed in or

had to have been about 0930. I knew

with William Sullivan, an experi near our offices, looking out the win

it was a different situation when I

enced Foreign Service Officer (FSO) dows to see what was transpiring.

heard someone in the center hall call

who had a reputation for dealing From the political counselors office at

out that they were over the fence the back of the

effectively with difficult situations. chancery, we could see

and into the compound. I looked out

Sullivans marching orders were to go Embassy staffers who worked in the

the window and saw young-looking

other

to Tehran, put a lid on the unwel buildings on the compound

Iranians swarming about the grounds administrative offices, a warehouse,

come reporting, and get things back

on track. But it soon became clear to surrounding the chancery. and four bungalows used by TDY visi

him that Iran was in serious trouble, torsbeing marched across the

and with it the Shahs future. Dr. The Embassy sat on a 27-acre com compound toward the ambassadors

Brzezinski, meanwhile, seemed to be pound surrounded

by a high brick residence, hands tied behind their

increasingly disregarding the informa wall. The predominant structure was backs and blindfolded. At about 1030,

tion coming out of the Embassy the chancery, a long, slender rectangu the Iranians broke into the chancery.

because it did not conform to his lar building with a basement, ground

strategic plans for Iran and the floor, and top floor. On each floor, a The intruders got in through win

regional role the country was to play. central hallway ran the length of the dows in the basement and moved to

During the summer of 1979, Brzezin building, with offices opening on each the first floor. The personnel section

skis and States basic reactions were side of the hall (hence, all the offices offices were in the basement, and the

to listen to Bazargan and ignore

to were directly entered from the hall DAO and economic section offices

the radicals, even though Laingen and overlooked either the front lawn were on the first floor. In moving to



whilenoting that the situation was or rear parking lot and athletic field.) the sanctuary of the top floor, the

becoming calmercontinued to The ambassadorial suite was in the Embassy staff had to abandon the

warn of dangers to US personnel. center of the top floor on the back sensitive files in the DAO and









9

Iran









The Embassy staff had

to.. .give up the



personnel ifies,

economic sections, and to give up the nians had tried to set the steel door

personnel files showing who was

showing who was afire, realizing the wood was only

not



assigned to the Embassy, what our assigned to the a veneer. In the ChargØs outer office,



jobs were, and where we lived. All of a senior political officer was on one



this occurred without any resistance.

Embassy, what our jobs phone to States Operations Center

At this point, a tear gas canister was were, and where we while Chuck Scott, an Army colonel

accidentally set off in the central hall who had replaced General Gast as

lived.

way upstairs, lending to the head of the MAAG, was talking by



confusion and clamor. phone to ChargØ Laingen. The

~9 Charge had gone to the MFA that

When the Iranians first entered the morning with one of our two secu

compound, the station chief initiated

and shouts of the mob outside rity officers and the political

destruction of the stations files, par

yells counselor. From what I could gather

the door, I continued to feed the dis

ticularly the highly compartmented of the latter conversation, the ChargØ

integrator, assisted by a member of

materials in the communications was still telling us that we should

the DAO contingent. Within a few

vault. After the Iranians came into the

minutes, the device went ka-chonk

hang on and that Yazdi was trying to

chancery itself, I returned to the vault make good on his earlier promises of

and shut down. Using a small com

in my office, where an operations sup protection.

mercial paper shredder, we continued

port assistant (OSA) was rapidly to destroy what we could. As we

removing files from our four safes. This went on for another 15 minutes

made progress in our destruction, I

or so while the Iranians outside the

noticed the growing pile of shred

Since early summer, when things main door by the stairwell were yell

dings accumulating on the floor each other, and

began returning to normal, the sta ing to us and to

rather than completely destroying

tion had been on a three-month trying to force the door. And then

each document, the machine cut the

retain basis. This meant that most one loud American voice was heard

papers into strips. Around noon, just

cable traffic was destroyed after being over the din: Open this door right

asthe last of the papers were going

read, but basic information necessary now! Someone standing close to me

for

through the shredder, someone

doing our jobs could be retained

appeared at the vault and exclaimed yelled back that the ChargØ was on

in skeleton files for three months. An the phone and that our instructions

that we had to get out.

additional proviso was that the mate were to hold our ground. To which



rials we did retain were not to exceed the voice on the other side of the

As I closed the vault door, I was

what could be destroyed in 30 min door screamed back in panic, You

struck by the sight of the large pile of

utes. The entrance to the station tell Laingen I said to open the god

shredded paper on the floor in the

vault, a room about 12 feet

by 12 feet damn door NOW! I looked at

center of the vault and by a sign stat

with a most impressive-looking bank Chuck Scott, telephone in his hand,

ing that the vault was secure against

vault-type door, was in the office I and wondered if the pained look on

forced intrusion for 30 minutes. I

was using temporarilywhich cre his face was a reflection of the one on



ated some problems for me later. In thought about burning the shred own.

my

the vault was a device, shaped like an

dings, but reasonedtoo

oversized barrel, for use in destroying optimisticallythat the door would Earlier that

hold until authorities arrived and dis

morning, after the

classified material by shredding and Embassy compound had been over

then persed the mob in the next few hours.

incinerating it. It was slow to run, but before the Iranians had

work and temperamental in nature, gained entry into the chancery itself,

subject to jamming at the least provo the second of oursecurity officers

cation. I went into the vault and Surrender announced that he was going to go

began to feed documents into this out and reason with the mob. Hav

disintegrator. I left the office and made my way to ing by then seen a number of our

the outer office of the ChargØs suite. colleagues in the outer buildings

Shutting out the wails of the Embassy There was a lingering, acrid mix of marched away bound and blind

locals in the hallway as well as the tear

gas and burning woodthe Ira- folded, none of us were surprised







10

Iran









It was inconceivable to

us that we could be

held prisoner for as

when, a few minutes later, we saw carrying a .38 came into the room

long as we had already

him, hands tied behind his back, calling my using pretty good

name,



being escorted to the Embassys front been by. a gang . .

pronunciation. The thought did not

entrance by several Iranians. It was occur to me until much laterand

of youths.

that same security officer to whom was subsequently confirmedthat he

the voice the other side of the

door belonged,

on



now claiming that the 9, had had

one

some prior help from some



who did know the correct

Iranians would shoot him if the door You wanted in

pronunciation. are

was not opened immediately. (In your office, I was informed. I was



response, one of his colleagues mut and then

armless chairs matching the table. We again bound, blindfolded,

tered, Let em shoot, but keep the assisted of the residence. Consid

out

damn door closed.) had to endure what were surely the

hardest seats in the Eastern Hemi ering my true professional affiliation,

sphere, and we sat there for two days being singled out by name and sepa

Chuck Scott relayed this information rated from the others did not strike

and nights.

over the phone to the ChargØ, lis

me as a positive development. It was

tened a moment, and then informed

Our bewilderment to why we

a frightening walk through a dark

us that we were to surrender. The

as



remained captives than the

was worse

night.

door that would supposedly protect

for be opened after physical discomfort. Once, in the

us days was to



three hours. The classified middle of the second day, a helicop walked the and led

only mate I was to chancery

ter landed and took off from the open

rial in the political section and into my office with its impressive-

MAAG safes the top floor, the area between the residence and the

on looking vault. Still bound and blind

destruction of which the security warehouse. Our hope was that some

folded, I was placed not ungently

officer could have been outside mediator had arrived and that

overseeing against the wall. I heard the escort

had he walkedcertain cap our release was imminent. It was

not out to

leave, but, in the silence, I sensed

remained intact for the Iranians inconceivable to us that we could be

ture, another presence. I reminded myself

held prisoner as long as we had

for

to recover. Just before the door that it was imperative to act like a

already been by nothing more than a

opened and the Iranians began genuine State Department Foreign

swarming about us, Bert Moore, the gang of youths.

Service Officer would act, and to say

Administrative Counselor, looked at

those things that a real FSO would

his watch and remarked, Let the I overheard my colleagues several

times asking the Iranians when we say. During the past few hours, and

record show that the Embassy surren

in expectation of such a turn of

dered at 1220. were going to be freed. When you

events, I had given this subject some

give back Shah, was the reply, in

their fractured English, when Ameri reflection. I had decided that, if I was

We were blindfolded and bound and

can people force the Carter to give interrogated, my actions and words

escorted to the Ambassadors resi

back Shah, then you go home. But would be guided by two principles.

dence, where we were freed of the

not before. I knew that such an act First, I would try protect classified

to

blindfolds only and placed in chairs

and on sofas located anywhere on the by the US Government was unthink information; part of this, I would

as



able, and I began to wonder if the talk about anything in order to

first floor. We remained that way for

irresistible force had just met an appear as though I had nothing to

the first night, but the next morning immovable object. hide. Second, I would do or say noth

we were tied to our chairs and again

ing that would or could bring harm

blindfolded. The earlier arrivals had

been taken to the living room and to any of my colleagues. The excep

You Are Wanted In Your tion to this second rule was that I

salon, where the chairs and sofas were

oversized and plush. The last of us to Office would take advantage of any oppor

surrender ended up in the dining tunity to escape, though it

even





room, seated around a long table on Shortly after dinner during the first might lead to retaliatory measures

uncushioned, straight-backed and night of captivity, a young Iranian against the others.









11

Iran









I believe one is



duty-bound to resist

his captors. Each has

I had already decided that refusing to assumed that I was a senior official,

talk at all to interrogators would

to decide, alone, someone who really mattered.

They

any

be about the dumbest thing I could how and to what extent even went so postulate that I

far as to



do. First, I did not think bona fide was the real chief of the Embassy

to resist.

diplomats would clam up in this kind while the ChargØ was merely a figure

of situation. Silence would not only head. As GS-1 1 who

give off a signal that the interrogatee ~9 the Agency

a was so new to



that I would still get lost

had been up to something nefarious; in the Headquarters building, this

it also would run contrary to the per construct left me speechless for a



sonality of most legitimate diplomats, itselfand probably doing

moment.

perma

whose business it is to talk to people,

nent damage to his health.

to negotiate, and to reason. As proof of Iranian conclusions

about the scope of my work, the inter

The broken prisoner also will be

rogator noted that the ChargØ had

The second problem with the John likely to carry permanent psychologi two-drawer safe in his

only a small,

Wayne I il-never-say-anything-to- cal scars, feeling that he is a coward

office while I had an entire vault. This

you-bastards school of interrogation or that he let down his country or

resistance is that it presents chal even though he may have

suspicion was fed by the Iranians

a comrades,

penchant for conspiracy and their per

lenge to the interrogators that most suffered terribly and endured the

vasive belief that the CIA controls the

likely will not be ignored. While con trulyunendurable longer than any

State Department (if not the whole

sidering whether or to what degree to onewould have reasonably expected.

US Government). Regardless of how

resist in such a baldly confronta The point is worth a moments reflec

ludicrous the Iranian accusation was, I

tional manner, bad idea for

it is not a tion: secrets and lives must be

still had to deal with it.

the prisoner to recognize that his cap protected, and I believe one is

tors hold absolute control over his duty-bound to resist his captors. Each

To the Iranians, it made perfect sense

health and welfare. That does not has decide, alone, how and to what

to

to have the CIAsecretly running the

mean that he should not try to resist, extent to resist. In my mind, trying to



that there will almost refus

Embassy in what they would con

only certainly tough out an interrogation by sider the most important country in

be consequences from doing so. ing to talk was not a good idea.

the Eastern Hemisphere. How, the

~Xhen the prisoner refuses to say any

interrogator continued, could I be

thing, acquiring information becomes

a secondary objective for the bad

only a junior officer when no other

Interrogation junior officer had such large office or

guys. Theiroverriding objective will vault? Moreover, the

a personal

now be to break the prisoner; they

Following a brief silence, probably real junior officers were all in their

cannot permit his obstinacy to

intended to intimidate me, an unseen early- to mid-twenties, while I was

threaten their control.

interrogator began speak. I

to

clearly much older. So, he asked, why

remained standing against the wall was I trying to deny the obvious?



As learned from the for what I believe several hours Why didnt I just tell them about all

was experiences was



of the American aviators who were while this first interrogation ran on the spy operations I was running in

POWs in the Vietnam war, addi and on. My questioner spoke good their country? And would I mind

English in deep but surprisingly soft the vault, too?

tionalproblems accrue when a a

opening

voice that he raised, despite his

prisoner is finally broken. First, he no never



growing frustration with

longer has the ability to withhold me. From my side, the discussion cen



sitive and secret information. Second, tered around explaining why I really

the breaking is likely to be both a I was at first by the direc

confused was just a junior officer; why I had

physical and a mental process, thus tion of the questioning, but it soon worked for the State Department for

rendering it harder for the prisoner to became clear that because of my large only three months; how I had com

resist in general and harder to escape office, executive-style furniture, and pleted graduate studies in January

should the opportunity present especially the vault, the Iranians had 1979 and then worked for a civilian









12

Iran









Every time the

interrogator] raised the

idea that I was the true

company before joining State; and head of the

ment they considered in their initial



why I was oniy temporarily in that

Embassy, I

planning. This bears some explaining.

particular office. I tried to explain would laugh and

why I could not possibly have the remark what In February 1979, to the chagrin of

combination to the vault and why I

many Jranians, the Carter administra

was not sure who did. My interroga a preposterous idea tion had elected to continue with a

tor kept pushing on this subject, and I

that was. business-as-usual attitudefollowing

finally said that there was one guy the St. Valentines Day Open House

who would come in and open the



vault, but I maintained that I did not 9, rather than breaking diplomatic rela

tions. Thus, in summer 1979, seeing

know him and that he was in the

the US Embassy staff grow steadily in

United States on R&R. I told the

continue. While I really did have size and the secular-oriented govern

interrogator that, having recently trouble at that

moment comprehend ment of Prime Minister Bazargan

arrived in Iran, I did not know many

ing that the Iranians would actually move toward normalization of

people at the Embassy. believe something so farfetched,-it did relations, militant Iranians had begun

not take long before I learned enough envisioning another takeover of the

I stayed with this story, which was not

about our captors perspective to real Embassy. This time, the militants

hard to do because much of it was would hold the Embassy staff captive

ize that they genuinely believed things

true. But the interrogator returned for as long as it took for the United

that were much more absurd. This

repeatedly to the vault. It was evident States break relations. This the

realization began to sink in later, to was

that the vault would continue to be a

when they started accusing me of only action, they believed, that could

problem until we were released or the foreclose any opportunity for future

being the head of all CIA operations

Iranians opened it by force. During US interference in their revolution.

in the Middle East.

this interrogation session, I was

Always suspicious of US motives and

directly threatened only a few times.

sincerity, Iranians during this period

More often, it was a subtle sort of In more than 100 hours of hostile

were constantly looking for signs of



warning, such as reminders of firing interrogation, this particular man was

US intentions to repeat the coup of

squads and SAVAK torture rooms. the only interrogator I never saw. I

1953. These signs appeared with the

Also, the interrogator occasionally also believe that he may have been admittance of the Shah to the United

would work the action of an auto someone who was accustomed to, States and with the in Alg

meeting

matic pistol and pull the trigger, but I possibly trained in,

interrogation tech iers between Brzezinski and Bazargan.

always could hear him playing with niques. He certainly exercised

the weapon, so its sounds never came abundant self-control and seemed at



so suddenly as to make me flinch. ease in this environment. That he was

The Vault

not harsher may have been due to the

I concentrated on staying outwardly Iranians themselves thinking that the

calm, answering his questions in as situation would be soon, and

over After what seemed like all night but

normal a tone of voice as I could mus thus they did not need to press hard probably was only a few hours, the

ter. emphasized that this was a

I for answers. Later, it would come out interrogator left. I was moved by the

breach of diplomatic practice, that I that the Iranians took the Embassy student guards into the OSAs office,

should immediately be returned to my initially intending to hold us captive and my blindfold was removed. I

colleagues, and that we should all be only for as long as it took the US found myself surrounded by a group

released forthwith. Every time he Government to break diplomatic rela of about a dozen Iranians, the oldest

raised the idea that I was the true head tions. The ultimate length of the of whom could not have been more

of the Embassy, I would laugh and hostage crisis surprised virtually all the than 20. I was not pleased to see sev



remark what a preposterous idea that participants, Iranian and American eral youths who looked to be 15 or

was. Interestingly, the interrogator alike. Having unlimited opportunity 16 waving Uzi assault weapons. The

never became angry in return; he to conduct interrogations of Embassy oldest looking, who was armed with a

would just repeat his evidence and personnel was probably not an ele .38, which I suspected had not too









13

Iran









I was pleased to see

not



several youths who

looked to be 15 or 16

many hours before been part of the communications vault, there was no

waving Uzi assault

Marine Security Guard weaponry, way this Iranian was going to believe

was also the leader. In good English weapons. that the vault was empty.

and making a sweeping gesture about

the room,he ordered me to open the

vault. I replied that I could not.

9~ When the door swung open to reveal

the worthless disintegrator, four

empty safes, and a pile of shredded

We went back and forth on this for point. If not, then I was already in paper, but no humans, the Iranians

some time, with the atmosphere deep trouble. At the time I had no who had crowded around the door

becoming increasingly hostile. The way of judging how effective my dis did classic movie-quality double-

Iranian finally said, All right, so you sembling had been. Months later, takes, looking back and forth at each

cant do it. Now tell me who used however, I discovered that the Irani other, at me, and at the emptiness of

this office. I replied that it just a

was ans had learned, with some assistance, the vault, as though they had just wit

secretary, to minimize her importance that I was CIA within a few hours of nessed Houdini pull off the greatest

to the Iranians, and said that I had surrender; in the end, it did not really escape trick of his life. I laughed

never seen her go near the vault, matter what I had told them earlier. aloud. All the while, the alarm box

much less open itas I had earlier When asked for the OSAs

they inside the vault was still emitting its

told the interrogator numerous times. name, to leave the

I told them typewriter sounds. And then the Ira

But this young Iranian looked right woman alone, that she could not nians got angry.

in my eyes and ordered the two open the vault. I then said that

youths standing beside him to find because the guy who worked in the I was barraged with shouted ques

the girl and bring her here. I had vault had left me the combination in tions: who had been in the vault,

been afraid this might happen. case of emergency, I really could open what had happened to them, who

it. And I did. had shredded the paper, and where

A number of things ran through my was the stuff from the safes? I just

mind at that point. One determinant As the door shrugged. I was led to the chair

opened I could not keep

for me, in those days before politi from laughing at the Iranians reac behind the OSAs desk and, to my

left to sit unbound and

cal correctness, was my belief that I tions to what they saw inside. Or, great surprise,

paid to take responsibility and with no blindfold.

was

rather, what they did not see. From

risks but that secretaries and OSAs the surrender to that moment, they

were not. I had no idea of the meth had believed there were one or more

I was then witness to a steady stream of

ods they might use with the OSA to inside the vault. This Iranians who gaze into the

persons actually came to



get her to open the vault, nor did I notion was based on two factors. vault and then leave. When this parade

know what would happen to her First, the staff members in the com finally waned,and with no more

afterward if she did open it. I was munications vault at the other end of adults around to supervise, the dozen

aware that prospects for my immedi the hallway were among the last to young Iranians who had watched the

ate future would be particularly

not

surrender, if not the last. So it was opening of the vault and then van

brilliant if I opened the vault

now for the Irani ishedreappeared. They seemed to

not necessarily illogical

after denying vigorously for some there take up where they had earlier left off,

ans to assume were people

hours that I could not. inside this vault as well. Second, and yelling and waving Uzis, pistols, and

supporting the first factor, was a one USMC-issue riot gun. I was pro

One probability was that the Irani steady, clearly audible clicking noise pelled out of the chair and shoved up

ans would be much less inclined to coming from inside the vault, a against the wall by the door opening to

believe anything I said in future inter sound like that of a typewriter. I had the center corridor, next to a four

drawer safe. The Iranians insisted

rogations, thus making it harder to told the interrogator earlier that the now



that I open this safe,

protect that which had to be pro sound was the alarm, which had not too.



tected. But that also assumed the been properlywhich was exactly

set



Iranians were in fact believing what I the case. But, given the earlier discov But I did not know the combination,



had been telling them up to that ery of Embassy staff in the nor did anyone else in the station.









14

Iran









Iranian demonstrators burn American Flag on wali of US Embassy shortly after takeover by AP/WlL)E WORIL) IHO1C)S'



militants in November 1979.









When I had first arrived, I asked the bination had been lost. So it just The more I denied knowing the com



OSA about the safe, and she told me stood in her office, serving as a stand bination, the angrier the Iranians

that it was thought to be empty, but for a house plant. became, until I found myself looking

no one really knew because the corn- down at the muzzle of an Uzi about









15

Iran









I was politely

threatened with



summary execution a

two inches away from my navel. It placed in the COSs former office,

was being held by a kid who had

couple of times which was now vacant save for a desk,

probably never before held such a a chair, and a foam-rubber pallet on





weapon. It became even scarier when the floor. The room, at the front of

I noticed that the weapons safety the chancery and overlooking the

was off. With all the jostling and wide boulevard in front of the

shoving, I thought there was a good Embassy, was sufficiently close to the

chance I could end up, perhaps unin street to make the collective roar of

about 40 of the Embassy staff, and

tentionally, with some extra navels then I was moved into one of the several hundred thousand demonstra

about nine millimeters in diameter. tors a frightening experience for the

four TDY (temporary-duty visitors)

Suddenly, the commotion stopped, first several nights it happened, and

bungalows with eight others, mostly

and I found myself out of energy, members of the Marine Security unsettling thereafter.

patience, and adrenaline, and I

Guard. We were no longer blind

became very tired. hands I was to be held alone in the chan

folded, but our were



continually bound, usually by strips cery until the night of 24 April 1980,

When I told that, if I did not

was of cloth. On occasion, and just for when we were moved out in the after



them the combination, I would the hell of it, the Iranians would math of the tragic events of Desert

give

be shot at once, I told them to go come in with handcuffs and take Onethe attempt by US military

ahead because there was no way I them. There forces to rescue us. In the meantime,

delight in using was no



could open the safe. By then, I was so reason for this, but it did underscore I was moved to five other rooms in



exhausted that I did not care. The that we were essentially defenseless. the chancery at varying intervals. The

Iranians appeared nonplussed, and worst times were the six interroga

the apparent leader said that they tion sessions I endured from 29

Istayed in the bungalow eight for

have ask the November to 13-14 December 1979.

were going to to secre

days and nights. During that time I

These sessions each began sometime

tary to open the safe. Then I was led

was taken back up to my office for

back the ambassadors

to residence after dinner and continued through

one additional interrogation, which

and the hard chair. the night until daybreak. My princi

was similar to that of the first night. I

pal interrogator was Hossein Sheik

was placed against a wall, blind ol-eslam, a mid-thirties student

During the next two months, the Ira folded, and questioned by the same

who had

nians forcibly opened all locked safes, I maintained my

previously studied at the

interrogator. cover

of

and this safe of the last. Yet, University California-Berkeley. (In,

was one story, and this man, to my surprise, the years since, Hossein has served as

that first night, they appeared to be so never pressed. I was politely threat

of

a deputy foreign minister and has

anxious to get into it that some ened with summary execution a

kill

played a major role in Iranian-spon

them werewilling to me. Why couple of times, but I did not take it sored terrorism.)

this safe seemingly lost its priority sta seriouslybecause the interrogator

tus is beyond me. When it was finally made it sound pro forma.

The first of these interrogation

two

forced open, it was indeed empty.

sessions, and of the third, were

most

What was threatening were the huge

long recitations of my cover story and

crowds that gathered almost nightly denials of any activity beyond nor

Solitary outside the Embassy compound mal diplomatic work. While

walls, frequently being driven to

frustrating and not a little frighten

During the third day, most of us were

near-hysteria by the speakers. I think ing, these particular sessions did give

we were all afraid that the mobs,

moved to the basement of the me a chance to learn more about the



whipped into a frenzy, would break students and why they took the

Embassy warehouse (quickly dubbed

the Mushroom Inn by its inhabit into the compound and slaughter the Embassy, as well as to gauge the

lot of us.

ants, for its lack of windows), and expertise of Hossein and two other

some were moved out of the Embassy Iranians as interrogators. On one

compound altogether. I spent two On the night of 22 November, I was level, the sessions were total-immer

more days as a guest in the Inn, with taken back into the chancery and sion lessons in the workings of the









16

Iran









What the Iranians did

not know was that,

thanks to my years in

Iranian mind and the Iranian brand mock POW camp. In these courses,

the US Marine Corps, I

of revolutionary theory; in a welearned the theory of interroga

detached, academic sense, I was knew much more about tion and ways to resist interrogation

highly intrigued and curious. I chafed techniques. While on the carrier in

over the confinement, even while (for

interrogation than they transit from Norfolk Vietnam, we

to



the first three months or so) being did. And that was the had another several days of survival in

held in thrall of my own psych ologi captivity, taught by a former POW

cal denial that such a thing was

key to withstanding from the Korean war and by Doug

happening. But when I could men their efforts. Hegdahl, a former Navy enlisted man

tally take myself out of the immediate who had been held in the Hanoi

circumstances, I often found the

hours and hours of nonhostile discus

9~ Hilton. I never forgot these instruc

and

tors, seven years later I could

sions and conversations with the recall their lectures, especially

Iranians (interrogators and guards Hegdahls, word for word with

alike) to be interesting, occasionally manipulate or disrupt the proceed almost crystalline clarity.

useful, and not infrequently a source ings. Instances such as these, while

of true amazement. And it killed time. seemingly of little import, provided The second element was that I was

me with tremendous psychological

used living routinely with a level of

to

victories when I most needed them.

In gauging the abilities of Hossein and activity that most people would agree

friends as interrogators, I quickly came What the Iranians did not know was

I attended

constitutes stress. military

to realize that they had no training or

that, thanks to my years in the US school for high school; went through

Marine Corps, I knew much more

experience as such, nor did they com Marine Corps boot camp; trained

about interrogation than they did.

prehend any of the underlying and served as an air traffic controller;

And that was the key to withstand attended Officer Candidate School

psychological factors used by profes

sional interrogators. While these ing their efforts. and took flight training; and subse

students all claimed to have been quently flew F-4 combat missions

arrested and interrogated by SAVAK over North Vietnam, South Viet



at one time or another, being victims One Lucky Guy nam, and Laos. After leaving the

of interrogation did not mean that service, I earned a B.A. in two years

they learned how to interrogate. What Actually, it was military service com and a Ph.D. in three-and-a-half years,

they did, at least in my case, was only bined with an excellent graduate and then entered the Agencys Career

an emulation of the surroundings and education that enabled me to get Training program. To me, life was

trappings of their interrogations by through intensive interrogation ses fun, challenging, interesting, and

SAVAK (that is, times of day/night, sions and to survive captivity in occasionally excitingbut I never

room lighting, the good cop-bad cop general and return to the United thought of it as stressful.

routine, and so forth). But having an States in betterpsychological condi

idea of what to do while not under tion than many of my colleagues At the time of my captivity, I had

standing the psychology of why it is (despite having arguably been treated already been shot at and had come



done served to make them ineffectual worsethan anyone else, except the close to death or serious injury sev



questioners. As such, they often COS). There were several elements at eral times. I was often

scared as as



undermined their own progress and play. First, as a Marine aviator in the anyone else in the Embassy, but the

left me openings in which I could early 1970s, my fighter/attack squad one important difference was that I



damage or deter their efforts. ron had been deployed to Vietnam had had experiences in dealing with

with a Navy carrier air wing. Before fear created by different kinds of dan

This ineptitude enabled me to with thatdeployment, in the process of gers and pressures, while almost all of

hold successfully large amounts of earning my wings and then going my nonmilitary colleagues had not.

classified information. It also allowed through fleet training in the F-4, I Among the military officers captured

me to have the upper hand on occa had had two courses on survival in in the Embassy were a number who

sion, when I was able temporarily to captivity, one ending with a stay in a had seen service in Vietnam, some as









17

Iran









Both of the assistant

interrogators had

emotional buttons

aviators. They had backgrounds simi exploit. I could not use this tech

lar to mine, and they too survived the

which, when pushed, but it

nique frequently,

too generally

experience in much better form than would quickly turn a worked exceedingly well. Usually,

those without military experience. there was a physical price to pay for

structured

this because it often entailed insult



Third, I had

recently finished my interrogation into a ing one of the interrogators. The

graduate degree, and my mind was shambles of shouting penalty was never unbearable, how

ever, and the ensuing disruption was

sharper than it ever had been before

and insults. always worth it.

captivity (or since, for that matter). I

had limitless mental nooks and cran

nies into which I could retreat to find ~9 I had also learned that I could ask for

fruit

stimulation, entertainment, comfort, tea or juice and that the Irani

and distance. Thus, mentally ans would actually stop, bring in the

surviving solitary was in some ways

refreshments, and for 15 minutes or

generate long discussions with would sit around and chat like

not as difficult as it could have been. Hossein and his two cohorts, as well

so, we



next-door neighbors. When the cups

as occasional tidbits of news of out

Because of these life side

were empty, Hossein would say,

experiences, I events. So, I took every occasion

OK, back to work, and the ques

could not have been better prepared to delve into these areas.

tioning would resume. The level of

to deal with the rigors, fears, and

uncertainties of captivity. It was

intensity that had developed during

I also learned that both of the assis the interrogations before the break

nothing that I

deliberately planned tant interrogators had emotional was destroyed, leaving the interroga

for or trained to accomplish. Rather, buttons which, when pushed, would

it was only by great good luck that I

tots to begin anew in their efforts to

quickly turn a structured interroga create a psychologically productive

had a background which allowed me tion into a shambles of shouting and mood. These little time-outs were

to survive mentally and physically.

insults. Forexample, one assistant number of that

among a episodes

was a man, probably in his late seemed surrealistic. I never did

always

twenties, who liked to brag about understand why Hossein permitted

Uncovered having spent a couple of years in me to control the sessions to such a

Florida student. He also he did

as a was

degree; obviously not compre

Toward the end of an interrogation highly sensitive about being viewed as hend the effects of the interruptions.

a devout Muslim. I found that look

during the night of 5-6 December,

my cover went up in smoke. As with ing in his direction and asking if he On the night of 1-2 December 1979,

had enjoyed doing unnatural acts had gone on at length and, some

the session the night before, I we

with young girls on Florida beaches, time well after midnight, I was

adhered to my cover story while seiz

or if he enjoyed drinking and gam

ing or creating opportunities to becoming complacent and tired. I

digress into areas that had nothing to bling in beach-front bars, would had successfully, it seemed, kept to

do with my real assignment in make him go almost blind with

my cover story while instigating or

instantaneous rage. By the time

Tehran. My working theorywhich capitalizing on a half-dozen or so

Hossein could get him calmed down

was the opposite of the name, rank, digressions of some length. To my

and serial number only dicta of mili and the interrogation back on track,

mind, I was outwitting the interroga

at least 15 minutes or more would

tary servicewas that the more time tors, and I was smugly satisfied.

have passed and the subject being

we spent talking about neutral or Returning to the subject of my gen

irrelevant subjects, the less time they pursued just before the outburst eral duties (yet again!) after an

had to talk about things which I would have been forgotten. interlude for tea, Hossein asked if I

hoped to avoid. I had discovered ear still denied I was CIA. When I

lier that asking questions about the This tactic also undermined any responded yes, Hossein handed me a



Shia brand of Islam, the Koran, the progress the interrogators had made sheet of paper, and my heart seemed

Iranian revolution, and why they toward establishing a psychological to stop dead in midbeat. In that



continued holding us would often mood that they could ultimately moment, I thought my life was over.









18

Iran









I learned that I could

ask for tea or fruit juice,

and the Iranians would

The sheet of paper was a cable sent Koran said, and so forth. Because I had

through special diplomatic channels

actually stop the never read the Koran and knew next to



that used for certain sensitive

are interrogation], bring in nothing about Islam, I wondered later

matters. And the subject of this mes how idiotic I would have sounded to a

the refreshments, and

sage was me! I could not believe what Muslim in different situation. By the

a



I was reading. The cable gave my true for 15 minutes or so we time the topic shifted from my being

name and stated clearly that I was to an evil person to their being good (or

would sit around and

be assigned to the station in Tehran. bad) Muslims, we all eventually ran

It also mentioned the special program

chat like next-door out of steam.

under which I had come into the

10 months When

neighbors.

Agency previously. We spent more time than I could

I looked up Hossein and his fathom it that I did

stooges,

at



they were grinning like a trio 9, speak

on



Farsi and

why was



was not an Iranian

not







of Cheshire cats. My astonishment specialist. These Iranians found it

quickly gave way to fright and inconceivable that the CIA would ever



despair. send to such a critical place as Iran

nians and said, OK, so what? To someone who was so ignorant of the

I should note here that copies of the my surprise, the three interrogators

local culture and language. It was so

cable hit the world press corps on the stopped laughing and, for a moment, inconceivable to them that weeks

morning of 2 December 1979, a few they looked back and forth at each later, when they at last came to real

hours after the 1-2 December interro other, seemingly bemused. It dawned ize the truth, they were personally



gation session ended. Hossein and a on me that they were not expecting offended. It had been difficult enough

female student, dubbed Tehran this sort of reaction, and they did not for them to accept that the CIA

Mary on American television, held a know what to do. But that little would post an inexperienced officer in

press conference in the Iranian capi respite lasted only a few seconds. their country. But it was beyond

tal attended by several hundred insult for that officer not to speak the

media people, and passed out copies

For the few hours, the Iranians

language or know the customs, cul

next

of the cable to all present. The cable ture, and history of their country.

tried to confirm that their suspicions

was subsequently reprinted in news

of my activities were correct. They

papers the world over. To my dismay, I tried to string out this train of con

said that I could have been a CIA

many American newspapers reprinted versation as long as I could.

Finally,

officer disguised as a Marine for years

the cable again on 21 January 1981, seeking one more psychological vic

and that my education was just for

immediately after our release. tory, I said that there were many Iran

cover. They said they knew that I was in my government who

the head of the CIAs entire Middle

specialists

It somehow got though to my addled could come here, but none of them

East spy network, that I had been

mind that I had two options: try the would, so I came instead. This

planning Khomeinis assassination,

this is a fake document accusation, deliberate insult took them aback.

and that I had been stirring up the

or anything else. It was not clear to The younger Iranian, the one who

Kurds to revolt against the Tehran

me at precise moment what the

that was so easy to set off, asked why US

government. They accused me of try Government officials who

anything else could be. I knew that specialized

the document was real and, more to ing to destroy their country. Most of in Iran would be so reluctant to

all,my interlocutors told me they did

the point, that it looked identical to come? Because they are afraid, I

not believe anything I said. The Ira

other State Department traffic in

nians ranted and screamed

responded. Perplexed, he said, What

at times; I

terms of format, routing lists, could they be afraid of? I held up my

raged and yelled back.

appended comments, and so forth. bound wrists. They are afraid of

Denying its provenance, which the this, I said.

Iranians were probably expecting, did We then engaged in mutual accusa



not seem realistic. With my stunned tions of lying, which let to a semi- We spent therest of the night in a



brain generating no other brilliant coherent digression about whether calmeratmosphere, with the Iranians

ideas, I looked up at the gloating Ira- Iranians were bad Muslims, what the making some outlandish accusations,





19

Iran









During these

interrogations, I

continued to play the

while I tried to refute some of the more competence, and judgment. Given

reasonable mixture of

new guy card as often the serious security situation in

charges with a



the truth, when appropriate, and logic. and forcefully as I

as Tehran, I told Hossein, this left the

The bizarre I could chief reluctant any signifi

to give me

things only snort at could, providing cant responsibilities after so soon

or otherwise ridicule. Many of their

charges were tossed on the table only

logical-sounding (to arriving. Hence, I had been spending

time familiarizing myself with the

once or twice, and it soon became pos me) explanations as to

city and doing only some elementary

sible discern the about which

to ones

why I could not have work at finding possible meeting sites

they were really serious. known done and so forth. I did not vary from this

or

simple story, hoping that it sounded

whatever it was they plausible, and that in its consistency

But there was one night

point that

it would also be convincing.

that Hossein did make chillingly were asking me about.

clear. This is our country, he

declared, looking into my eyes, and ~9 Unfortunately,

ments that I had

the shredded docu

so casually left in

we intend to find all the spies and

the vault returned to make an even



foreign agents who have been dis bigger liar out of me. The Iranian

loyal and who are trying to stop the Protecting Secrets students had industriously set about

revolution. Hossein then went a step reconstructing the shreddings; by

further without, I believe, realizing early December, they had made suffi

There were three more all-night

what he He stated cient progress to be able to read

was saying. sessions in which Hossein and his

emphatically that he did not care portions of most of the papers. They

comrades hard to learn who I

pressed would eventually manage to piece

about anything I or the CIA had had been in with and what

contact

back together virtually all of what we

done outside of Iran, while re-empha these Iranians had told me. In actual

had tried to destroy. When Hossein

sizing that he intended to find the ity, I had had only one agent who was and his pals began to ask me about

spies inside his country. providing sensitive material, but to the specific nights or people, I knew with

Iranian revolutionary mind simply

certainty they were no longer fishing

meeting privately with an American for information and, whatever the

I mention this because it occasioned

Embassy official, much less a CIA source(s), were focusing on exact

some surprise in later interrogations. officer, was grounds for severe punish

events, the answers to which they

In three subsequent all-night grill ment, including death. There were had. When Hossein showed

already

ings, Hossein would begin asking now a dozen or so Iranians in jeop

me one of my own cablesstrips of

questions about my training and the ardy merely because they had a dinner carefully taped together

paper

identities of CIA officers elsewhere in with me or had invited me into their

about a meeting I had had with a

the world. Each time he did this, I homes. During these interrogations, I

contact, everything became clear.

continued to play the new guy card

quickly reminded him of his state

as often and as forcefully as I could,

ment about being interested only in For the rest of that interrogation and

providing logical-sounding (to me) the

events in Iran. And each time I was next two sessions, my goals were

explanations as to why I could not limit the and determine

flabbergasted when he recalled his

have known done whatever it

to damage to

or was

words and backed off. I had how much other information they

By then, they were asking me about.

had. I refused consistently to give

learned that our captors were so com

accurate answers to any questions

pletely untrustworthy, regardless of I maintained that it had taken me until, in a fit of pique, they would

the issue, that I never expected

several weeks after arrival learn my

to haul out a reconstructed document

Hossein to abide by his own words.

way around just a part of the city and and show they knew I was dissem

me

But he did, much to my great relief. that, as a new, inexperienced officer, I bling, and then we would go off

And I confess that I am still aston was an unknown quantity to the sta again. While in the midst of intense

ished by this today. tion chief in terms of capabilities, questioning about one Iranian I had









20

Iran









The last two

interrogations were, I

believe, potentially the

met more than a few times, it became grew sore. I would then read until

most dangerous period

evident that this person had been lunch, after which I would repeat the

arrested and interrogated, because for me in terms of morning agenda until dinner. After

Hossein gave out information which dinner, I would again walk and read

deliberate physical

oniythat person could have known. until I was sufficiently tired to sleep.

(When I confronted Hossein with harm.

this, he did not hesitate to tell me that During the initial months when we



my surmise

later, he told

was correct; months

two



that this unfortu

9., were kept in the Embassy com

me pound, and then later, when we were



nate person had been executed.) Once reunited in the summer of 1980 fol

I was proven again to be a liar, they lowing our dispersal in the wake of

would bring up another person or the Desert One rescue attempt, our

takeover, apparently had not angered

event, and we would go through the lunches and dinners consisted of

the Iranians toany great extent, at

whole rigamarole again. And on and least in terms of being a spy in their American-style food prepared by

on we went, until they got tired of it Iranian students who were trained by

country. He did provoke them fre

and began to use physical means of the Charges cook. Most meals were

quently by trying to escape, assaulting

persuasion, as much out of frustra the guards, and in general causing the adequately nourishing and palatable,

tion as anything. with the food coming mainly from

Iranians more trouble than they

local US military commissary stocks

liked. His reward was about 360 days

The final all-night interrogation, seized by militants during the with

or so in solitary, parceled out during

circa 13-14 December, was also the drawal of the 10,000 military

the 15 months of the hostage crisis

hardest. When I was returned to my

and based on his deportment. If resis personnel who had been in Iran as

room thatmorning, sore and tired, I tance can be at least partially defined

part of the MAAG. Toward the fall

was as despondent as I would ever be. of 1980, however, some of the food

as making it difficult or unpleasant

The last two interrogations were, I stuffs clearly were suffering from old

for your captors to hold you against

believe, potentially themost danger age. Chicken, for example, began to

your will, this officer was succeeding

ous period for me in terms of show up in a marginally edible state,

admirably. With the reconstruction and eventually I had to abandon the

deliberate physical harm: the Irani

of the station files, the Iranians had a

ans definitely knew I had been trying

fairly clear picture of my limited powdered milk I occasionally received

to recruit and run spies in their coun when it reached the point where there

operational activities. After this point,

try, but they did not know how were too many worms to pick out.

they mostly left me alone and con

effective or successful that effort was.

centrated on the chief, who had no

At that juncture, they had no reason It required some months before I was

easy out.

to believe anything but the worst able accept psychologically what

to



about my activities. Ironically, it was was happening to us. It was a classic



(I am convinced) the reconstructed state of denial. I would go to bed



documents, the shreddings I had The Daily Routine each night thinking that it would all

neglected to destroy, that made fur be over the next morning, and, when

ther interrogation of me a waste of My routine was to wake sometime it did not end, I would have to deal

their time. after daylight, and then await the with anger and disappointment until

usual breakfast of Iranian bread or itwas evening and I again convinced





By mid-December, enough of these Afghan barbari bread with butter and myself that the following day would

shredded cables and documents had jam or feta cheese, and tea. I would bring release. It was months before I

been reconstructed to show that I had then prop my pallet against the wall was able to accept that the next day



not done nearly as much as they had and take my morning walk, begin would be another day of captivity.

suspected. But I had done enough to ning at one corner of the room and

justify being kept in solitary confine striding the eight to 10 paces to the During the first few months, I could

ment throughoutas was the station opposite corner, then turning around not believe this was happening to me.



chief. The third case officer, who had and heading back. This would con I also could not believe that the

arrived in Iran a few days before the tinue until I became tired or my feet American Government was unable to









21

Iran









What probably kept

many of us from going

nuts was a

gain the freedom of an entire they were as fanatically devoted to



Embassy staff held in contravention serendipitous supply of Khomeini as were their older leaders.

of international law by a motley band excellent books.

of revolutionary youths. And I could Over the months, we all came to

not believe that the Ptesident had know number of the guards fairly

a



made the decision he did concerning well. Some were with us from Day

the Shah, when the potential damage One to Day 444. Others whom we

to Americas national security and the otherwise had the saw frequently during the early days

opportunity to

threats to our safety were manifest. read. I read of Dickenss works,

most

faded away after the first three or four

The unanswered humiliation to the and lots of Agatha Christie and Ruth months. Initially, the Guards were

dignity and prestige of the United Rendell. I delighted in the adven apprehensive of all of us, the first

States was more intensely frustrating of Bertie Wooster and I Americans many had ever met, and

tures Jeeves.

to me than any other aspect of captiv uncertain what to think because their

devoured histories of Russia, Britain,

ity. I recalled an incident in

World War L early 20th-century elders, including the clergy, had

Nicaragua in 1854, when a US diplo America, and all of Barbara Tuch clearly painted all of us as evil incar

mat received a small cur on his nose nate. As their contact with us

mans works up to that time. Some of

from a piece of glass thrown at him increased, especially after we had

the most enjoyable books I stumbled

during a minor incident. In response,

across were ones that I would never

been separated into smaller groups,

and to uphold the honor of the they began to reevaluate their ideas of

have even looked at in a normal life.

United States, a US Navy vessel who and what Americans are. My

shelled the small coastal town in Embassy colleagues, possessing the

which the incident occurred, com The Iranians with whom I had con same American national characteris

pletely destroying it. Now, nearly tact fit into categories: the

two tics which led many Japanese and

three-score US diplomats were being younger men, barely into their twen Germans to like and respect Ameri

held by students and nothing seemed ties (if that), who performed guard cans after World War II, soon were



able to end the situation, much less work; and the older men, in their establishing friendly relationships

restore the lost dignity. thirties, who seemed to call the shots with these young guards.

and did the interrogations. It was the

What probably kept many of us from younger Iranians who constituted my

going nuts was a serendipitous sup company for nearly 15 months. The Guards

ply of excellent books. Just before the Unlike the older Iranians, who had no





Embassy takeover, the entire library illusions about why they engineered After I was moved into solitary, there

of the Tehran-American School had the raking of the Embassy, the were guards in my room(s) 24 hours

been delivered to the Embassy ware younger ones seemed to believe fer a day. I never discovered why or for

house for safekeeping. There was a vently that the only purpose of the what particular reason, if any, and at

large selection of novels, notably takeover was to coerce the United first I ignored them. I was angry over

English mysteries, and thousands of States into returning the Shah. I never being held, angry at being in solitary,

nonfiction volumes. From the first heard any of the young Iranians speak angry and frustrated at seeing them

days in the Mushroom Inn, the Irani of ending the Iranian-US relation turn an American Embassy into graf



ans were good about keeping us ship, as did Hossein and his cohorts, fiti-laden prison. I resented like hell

supplied with books, although I sus nor frankly did the younger ones seem having them in the same room with

pect it had more to do with keeping to want much of anything the older me, whether they spoke to me or nor.

us occupied (and, hence, less likely to ones did. Virtually none of these I felt no impetus to make conversa

cause trouble) than it was a matter of youths, who were in fact real students tion, and did not. The Iranians were



human kindness. at various universities, had ever trav quiet at first, too. For almost their

eled outside Iran. For many, the trip whole lives they had been told of how

While in captivity, I read more than to Tehran to attend school was the the CIA responsible for many

was



500 books covering a wide range of first rime they had ever left their vil (or even all) of the worlds problems,

subjects. plowed through

I dozens of lages. knowledge level seemed

Their and especially the problems in Iran.

books I enjoyed and learned from, to be generally the equivalent of the And their perspective of the Shahs



many of which I would have never average American ninth grader. But reign and their knowledge of the



22

Iran









in Tehran. Ah~n Mi~g~m_GAMMAiLIAISON

Marching a prisoner around the occupied US Embassy





CIA-engineered coup in 1953 were them good-bye nor welcomed the I worked for were corrupt and evil. I

certainly less than objective and by no next shift. would toss out a contradictory com

means fully informed. Understand ment and then, in Socratic fashion,



ably, they approached me with some ask them a question intended to get

But human has its way, and

nature

wariness, very much unsure about them to justify or expand on their

slowly and tentatively the young Ira

whether I was a real human being or comments or ideas.

nians began to talk to me, as much

the monstrous bogeyman of their

out of curiosity as a desire to make

imaginations. me understand the evil of my ways. It was not but two of

long until all

Inevitably, their first words spoken to my 10 or so guards had

become fairly

For the first several days I was in soli me condemned various offenses, real garrulous. From then on, until I no

tary, some young Iranian would be or imagined, and were laced with longer had them in the room with

small desk me, almost every time the guard

sitting at a just inside my quotations from the Koran and

door while I walked, read, slept, or Khomeinis sermons. I would grunt changed, the new watcher would

come in to talk. And so we

ready

ate, completely ignoring my exist back a word or two and go

with on



began tohave conversations that

ence, except when I needed to use the whatever I was doing. Soon, how

bathroom. The would then ranged from amusing to amazing to

guard ever, the guards became more

blindfold down the surrealistic.

me, escort me talkative, asking more questions and

hall and back, and resume his post. making fewer accusations, impelled

They would change at approximately by a desire to convince me that the There were a number of common

two-hour intervals, and I neither bade country I served and the government denominators among these young









23

Iran









These same Iranians

who shouted death to



America, who

men. First and foremost, they were ared light, and another car, which

condemned everything

fanatically religious totally obedi

and had the green, hit him broadside.

ent to the wishes (or what they American as evil or Perfectly seriously, he said that the

perceived as the wishes) of the clergy, decadent, and who

little traffic that hour made it OK

at



as personified in Khomeini. Literally for him to ignore traffic signals (no

hundreds of hours of talks with these would have killed us point in waiting at a red light when

kids distilled down to one basic tenet: no one is coming from the other side)

had it been ordered,

Khomeini infallible because he was

was and that it was the other driver who

the Imam, and he was the Imam would nonetheless ask was at fault because he should have



because he was infallible. It was not known someone might be running

my colleagues for help

necessary for any of them to really red lights and therefore should have

know firsthand anything about any

in obtaining visas to the been driving slowly while looking out

thing, be independently for other drivers like him.

or to

United States.

convinced of the correctness of any

position action. If Khomeini said it

or



was so, or if he ordered it done, then

9, The

was

corollary to never being wrong

that nothing was ever their fault.

that was all they needed to know. Not In the midst of our captivity, more

once did I ever hear one discuss any

than one of the

guards complained to

thing, whether the subject was religion, America had never done anything me that holding us hostage was ruin

human rights, politics, or social for the world. When

positive or good ing their lives: they could not go to

responsibilities, in which he felt I pointed out a few of the innumera school, they were not spending time

obliged or even willing to question ble nonpolitical things Americans with their families, they were not able

Khomeinis judgments or to decide had done which benefited the world to go home to their villages. In short,

facts, opinions, and actions for himself. (the Salk polio vaccine and other it was their lives which were on hold.

medical discoveries), the Iranians And it was all our fault because we



My Iranian captors contended that would find ulterior motives underly were there. The obvious solution of

America for all the

responsible

was

ing each accomplishment; world putting us on a plane and sending us

evils and wrongs in the world. One of home made

control was one of the all-time favor no impression.

them declared to me that Iran had and Or

ites, as were greed profit. they

been Americas main enemy for over would that the achievement was

deny These same Iranians who shouted

400 years! Even after I mentioned

useful, or say they had not heard of death to America, who condemned

that America had actually been a it, in which case it could not be really everything American as evil or deca

nation for only 203 years and had important or true. I asked one pre dent, and who would have killed us

been populated only by Native Amer med student to compare the number had it been ordered, would nonethe

icans less than 300 years before that, I of American Nobel prize winners to less ask my colleagues for help in

could not sway him. the number of Iranian Nobelists, and obtaining visas to the United States,

the student replied that America and then could not understand why

I learned from these Iranians that fixed the

always voting so that no Ira they were laughed at. If the reader by

America had created plagues and

nian could win; it was just part of our now suspects, too, that these Irani

national disasters in its efforts to con

war against Iran. ans, at least, seemed to have difficulty

trol the world (hegemony was a

with the concept of cause and effect,

favorite criticism); that all the West

he or she would be dead on.

European countries and NATO as an Most of my captors stubbornly

organization were controlled by the asserted thatthey were always right

United States; that we had decided and that everyone else was always

The Education of Tehran Mary

apparently just for the hell of itto wrong. If they broke any law, it was

beat up on the peace-loving Vietnam because they had a justification for

esepeople, creating and then doing so. One student related the In my discussions and debates with

maliciously prolonging our war in story of how he had been in a car my Iranian captors, I was frequently

Southeast Asia; and that in general accident because, at 0200, he had run numbed by their lack of knowledge









24

Iran









I came to understand

that, should they

actually put us on trial,

about the world and about critical would still drop in for conversations



events which, they claimed, proved

they would probably from time to time.

how right they were. I have never execute several of us

forgotten a conversation I overheard give the others

and One threat Hossein would occasion

between Tehran Mary and Air Force

ally toss out was that of placing me

Col. Tom Schaefer, the Embassys long prison sentences. on trial as a spy. It struck me that this

Defense AttachØ. For much of Febru

idle threat. The Iranians were

ary and into March of 1980, Tom

in small

9 was no



obviously feeling a need to convince

and I were kept adjoining the rest of the world that they were

rooms in the basement of the

for which there

justified in holding American diplo

Embassy, was a com

them being in the room at all hours. matic personnel captive and in

mon air vent. By remaining still, I

And I undertook action

so a covert

demanding redress from the United

could often hear what was being said campaign get them out. One

to States. I figured that the COS,

in Toms little corner of paradise.

lesson I remembered from Doug myself, and any of the five or six mili

Hegdahls talks on survival in captiv tary officers were prime candidates

One day an unknown (to me) female

ity was that it is vitally important to for the defendants dock, inasmuch as

voiceI had no idea who Tehran

resist your captors in whatever way we were the ones being singled out

Mary was, until I came home

you can; to make it difficult or for harsher treatment. I had memo

started berating Tom for the US deci

uncomfortable for them to hold you; Lifi magazine photos of

ries of the

sion to drop the atomic bomb on

and to make them pay some sort of Francis Gary Powers show trial in

Japan, calling it barbaric, inhumane, price, however small, for denying you Moscow, and it was not something I

and racist. Tom replied, The Japa

your freedom. wanted to experience firsthand.

nese started the war, and we ended

Moreover, as time went by and I

it. That was obviously news to

learned more about the Iranians, their

Mary, who asked in disbelief, What One small way I tried to make it

revolution, and their goals, I came to

do you mean, the Japanese started the harder on selected Iranian guards was

understand that, should they actually

war? And Tom replied, The Japa to make their time in my room as

put us on trial, they would probably

nese bombed Pearl Harbor, and so we unpleasant as I could. Doing things several of and the oth

execute us give

bombed Hiroshima. Pearl Harbor? like breaking wind as I walked by their

Wheres Pearl Harbor? asked Mary. desk, belching after meals, and wear

ers long prison sentences.





Hawaii, said Tom. A long pause ing only skivvies (that public state of

occurred, and then, in a small voice undress being offensive to the Muslim There was also much talk of adding

pregnant with incredulity, Mary said, religion) were steps toward this end. war crimes to the indictments for

The Japanese bombed Hawaii? When I had a cold, I made sure to those of us who had fought in Viet



Yep, stated Tom, they started it, breathe hard in their direction as I nam. To

bring this home, the

and we ended it. Marys sense of passed by the desk. And, when I heard Iranians taped to my wall a propa

astonishment was easily discernible, a few days later a guard complaining ganda poster showing several

even through the wall. After another that he was having to do double duty American soldiers grinning and hold

long pause, I heard her rush out of because a couple of his colleagues, who ing the severed heads of two

Toms room. (Mary is now one of had previously stood watch in my Vietnamese. I used the poster as part

several vice-presidents in the govern room, had been taken ill with bad of my own propaganda war: when

ment of President Mohammad colds, I felt one of those psychological new guards came into my room I

Khatami.) boosts that comes from those little vic would walk to the poster, put my fin



tories that keep you going. Soon ger on one of the severed heads, and

afterward, around New Years Day of point out that when Americans went



Small Victories 1980, I was moved to a room on the to war, they were serious about their



ground floor in the back of the chan businessand one casus belli might

Even though conversations with the cery, and from then on I lived without be something like the capture and

guards began to fill some of the soli guards inside the room. It was a truly incarceration of American diplomats.

still happy with solitary existence, although the guards The poster was soon removed.

tary hours, I was not









25

Iran









I wasalways worried

that some speaker

would whip the crowd

The exceptionally supportive mood of existence remained a mystery to my

into a frenzy,

many if not most Iranians toward the family, friends, colleagues from

and

Embassy takeover, together with the culminating in a December 1979 until the Algerian

zealots desire to tighten their grip on Ambassador paid me a visit the night

the reins of government, elevated the

storming of the of 23 December 1980. In the end,

possibility of trial (and execution). Embassy by a mob bent keeping me in solitary and putting

One discomfiting experience in hav

on lynching the vile my family through the agony of not

ing a room in the front of the knowing was nothing more than an

Embassy was that I could hear clearly Americans. attempt by the Iranians to punish the

the din of the huge crowds that would CIA, as an organization, for all the

gather in front of the compound on 9, bad things that had happened to

and in Iran since the 1953 coup.

Fridays. I learned later that some of

these gatherings had more than Because these students could not get

500,000 Iranians in attendance, and I improvement in our treatment. For their hands on any of the CIA per

was always worried that some speaker me, this included a shower every sonnel who had served there earlier to



would whip the crowd into a frenzy, week or 10 days instead of the usual punish them, my COS and I served

culminating in a storming of the two weeks; several short periods actu as their surrogates. It was that simple.

Embassy by a mob bent on lynching ally outdoors just to enjoy the sun;

the vile Americans. Hence, were we to and visitations to the librarythe There were, I believe, several factors

be put on trial, the revolutionary gov economic counselors former office that combined to ameliorate our con

ernment probably would feel that now housed the books from the ditions, none of which I knew about

compelled to execute at least a couple Tehran American School. I was given until after we were released, plus one



of us, if forother reason than

no pen and paper for the first time, and I element that I learned of only in

internal credibility. That prospect began to draw whenever I did not feel 1985. These factors were basically the

concentrated the mind exquisitely. like reading. Iranians realization that it was the

American people, as much as it was

But after the first of the year in 1980, I was also told I could write home, the White House, who posed a seri

talk of a trial receded. The last time I and from then on I wrote three let ous threat to them; a back-channel

heard it mentioned

was on George ters a week to my mother. Midway message from President Carter to the

Washingtons birthday (I kept a through our captivity, however, I Iranians warning of dire conse

homemade calendar in the back of a learned that the Iranians had never quences should we be put on trial;

book I managed to retain for almost mailed any of my letters. In fact, I and the increasing and unwitting

the entire time). Hossein had come to later learned that I had not been involvement of the 52 of us in Ira



my room for one of his increasingly heard of, or from, since Christmas nian domestic politics.

infrequent visits and, in the midst of 1979, when I was allowed to send a

our chat, tossed out the threat of a couple of cards in mid-December. First, regarding the fear the Iranians

trial. By that time, even he seemed to When the press irresponsibly came to have of the American peo



find it difficult to take seriously. The reported that some hostages had been ple, it will be surprising to many in

Iranian Government, however, con able to spirit out secret messages in the US that our captors fervently

tinued to threaten in the world media those cards, the Iranians assumed I believed all Americans would sup

convoke public spy trials was one of the culprits and my mail

to

port their seizure of the Embassy.

through the fall of 1980, apparently privileges were ended. I believe in Many of the younger and more naive

as part of its propaganda war. freedom of the press, but this was one students believed the American peo

occasion in which it would have been ple might even begin a revolution in

helpful if the press had acted with the United States. The older ones

Life Improves some self-imposed restraint. merely expected that the support of

the American populace would

Roughly coincident with the appar Nor was I ever filmed with visiting become strong and influential enough

ent end of the threats to put us on clergy like the others were, so my to induce the Carter administration



trial was a welcome, albeit limited, well-being and even my continued to give in to Iranian demands, which









26

Iran









Our captors] came to



realize that the one



thing that would almost

in reality had little or nothing to do assumed from the beginning that it

with the return of the Shah. certainly compel the was the American peoples affection

White House to for Iranians and support for the take

The reason for this belief was simple: abandon its self over kept the White House from

that

most no concept of a

Iranians had responding militarily. It was truly a

peoples government in the sense of imposed restraint shock to their collective ego finally to

the populace having any influence would be if any of us accept that the depth and intensity of

over orparticipation in their gover dislike with which most Americans

nance. To a majority of them, there were harmed, for any viewed Iran genuine. They came

was



was an unbridgeable chasm between to realize that the one thing that

reason.

government and the people. One would almost certainly compel the

common characteristic among many White House to abandon its self

Iranians is ethnocentricity, a belief imposed restraint would be if any of

that every other society in the world us were harmed, for any reason. And



mirrors theirs a state of mind that this realization at least partially trans



was amplified by our captors lack of the American populace. The solution lated into better treatment for us and,

life experiences and limited educa to that problem was a public rela probably to a lesser degree, the end to



tion; nor were they encouraged by tions campaign by the militants. threats of a trial.

their religion to look beyond their

own ken. In this instance, the Irani The second development that bene

After I returned home and was able to

ans seemed to me truly to believe that fited us was a back-channel message

read press accounts of our captivity, it

the American people were as alien from President Carter to the Iranian

became clear that the Iranians had

ated from the US Government as the leadership, via the

good offices of the

indeed tried such a campaign. The

Iranian people had been from their Swiss Government (representing US

starting point was probably the distri

government.

bution the world press of the

interests in Tehran), which warned

to

the Iranians of exceptionally serious

special-channel message in early

Thus ourcaptors were at first per December 1979 (see section above consequences if any of us were placed

plexed and then greatly disappointed on trial for any reason. To this day, I

entitled Uncovered), followed by a

when the American public con do not know the contents of that

number of appearances by Tehran

demned their taking of the Embassy. message, but it had to have been very

Mary in the media throughout that

And this held true even for Hossein credible and truly frightening. The

period. The culmination of this effort

and his peers, who were older and Iranians had, from the beginning,

was the Crimes of America confer

better educated and had lived or trav been openly scornful and contemptu

ence held in Tehran in June 1980.

eled in the United States for some ous of the Carter administration

The Iranians induced several US citi

period of time. The Iranians did not feelings that were formed beginning

zens, notably former Attorney General

understand why there was so much with the New Years Eve toast to the

Ramsey Clark, to come to Tehran and

antagonism and hatred shown

by the Shah in 1977. When no US military

criticize American policies.

American people over our captivity action was taken against Iran in the

and why Americans were rallying aftermath of the earlier Embassy take

behind President Carter. One night By January early February 1980, it

or over in February 1979, Iranians

in early December 1979, Hossein seemed to have

finally sunk into the began to view the administration as



admitted to me that the reaction of minds of our captors that nothing weak and cowardly beliefs that

the American on the street was the they could say to or produce for the only deepened and hardened after we

opposite of what the militants had media was going to generate any surge were captured. They had no fear



fully expected, and he added that of sympathy (much less support) in whatsoever of US military action.

obviously the United States Govern the United States for the militants That evidently changed, though, with

ment, through the exercise of an actions. And with it came a realiza the receipt of the Presidents back

enormous (and improbably success tion that they had much more to fear channel message. While the Iranians

ful) censorship program, had from the American public than they might have talked openly about trials

prevented the truth from reaching did from the White House. They had for propaganda purposes, by mid-









27

Iran









Another] element that

affected the conditions

(and duration) of our

February 1980 this no longer running feet hallway as the

down the

appeared to be a viable threat. captivity was our Iranians rushed outside,only to find

increasing utility to a shaken guard who had accidentally





The third element that affected the each side in the Iranian discharged his weapon while playing

conditions (and duration) of our cap with ita wonderful source of

domestic political amusement for us captives.

tivity was our increasing utility to



each side in the Iranian domestic

struggle....

between the mod

political struggle But in the afternoon of 24 April

erates under Iranian President

Abdulhassan Bani-Sadr (elected with

~9 1980, none of the usual noises were

heard. In fact, as dinnertime

Khomeinis approval in February approached, the chancery grew eerily

1980) and the hardcore radical former Archbishop of Jerusalem, who quiet. I pounded on the door for a

Islamic fundamentalists. In essence, had once been imprisoned by the restroom call, but no guard appeared.



whoever controlled the hostages con Israelis for This Listening closely, I could hear a radio

gunrunning.

trolled the Iranian Government. By occurred in the ambassadorial office, down the hail emitting what sounded

spring 1980, the only Iranians who which was crammed full with our like some sort of a newsbroadcast,

were talking about returning the

captors, some of whom I had not judging from the intonations of the

Shah were the young guards, who seen in months. It was a non-event speaker. Continuing to bang on the

kept hoping; the older Iranians, such forme, however, and to this day I do door, I finally got a guard to come

as Hossein, now a rare visitor, quit not understand the purpose.

escort me down the hall to the bath

My pic

discussing why we continued to be ture was not taken, and I was not

room; when I was finished, the

held. One point all the Iranians The Iranian, grim-faced, hurried back

given anything. Archbishop, the me



repeatedly made was that they were first non-Iranian I had seen in to my room. I could by now easily

going to make sure President Carter months, said nothing memorable. hear the radio, just the voice, and

was not re-elected, as punishment After a few minutes, I was taken back nothing else. It was also quiet

for his crimes. outside.

to my room, befuddled as to why my

sleep had been interrupted for some



thing that was apparently I realized that

something major was

Departing the Embassy meaningless. happening. Long ago, I had learned

that any unexpected shift in the rou

tine was not because of our imminent

From February to almost the end of One in late 1980, the

evening April release, but

April 1980, life was the same, day in was probably because

routine went awry, and it was quickly

and day out. There were no more noticed. In late afternoon, there usu

things were going to get worse. Din

ner came late, and I was starving; in

interrogations, no more guards in my ally would be an increase in the lieu of our usual weeknight fare of

room, and few drop-in visits by sounds of life in the hall as the guards

Hossein any of the older students.

meat,vegetables, and bread, I was

or

changed, as food carts were wheeled brought one bowl of a thin, chili-like

The monotony was broken only by up and down the corridor, and as my

an occasional trip to a shower in soup. Much later, in the middle of

colleagues were taken to and from the the night, a heavy canvas hood was

some other building and, on a good restroom. There were also numerous



day, maybe 10 minutes outside in the ambient noises; I was in

placed over my head and, in deathly.

once again a



sun. I moved to five different quiet, I was taken from the chancery,

room in the chancery

was the

facing seated in a van with perhaps five or

rooms in the chancery during this and noises reached from

street, me

six of my colleagues, and driven away.

period, never being told either that a the street as well as from the com

move was coming or the reason why. pound just beyond my window,

where some outside guard would

work the action of whatever type of Evin Prison

Easter Sunday passed quietly, but

long after midnight that night I was firearm he was carrying. And there

awakened and taken upstairs to meet was also an occasional gunshot, which The ride lasted 30 minutes or so, with

Archbishop Hilarion Capucci, the would carry with it the sounds of most of it uphill. The van stopped,









28

Iran









When I saw my new



quarters at Evin

Prison], I became

and I was escorted

through large, a While glad to see someone besides an





possibly gymnasium-sized room, up

instantly enraged. Iranian, I was hoping the two of us

several flights of metal stairs, and going to have to

were not live for an

down a narrow corridor. Finally I was 9 unknown period of time in rhe

pushed into someplace small and told matchbox-sized cell.

to remove my hood. When I saw my

new quarters, I became instantly had calmed down slightly, I had two

After an awkward greeting (for I had

enraged, my emotions intensified by thoughts: first, whatever had been on

not known him well), this non-CIA

the adrenaline that had been flooding colleague asked me what I knew of

the newsbroadcast probably had also

my body. My room was a prison caused our relocation; second, this the recent events, whether I had been

cell, about six feet

long on one side able communicate with anyone,

never happened to James Bond. to



and about eight feet across the back. and if I had any thoughts or ideas on

The opposite-side wall ran only four what might be happening. We talked

feet before angling in for another As dawn approached and I was run

awhile, but I knew little to tell him,

three feet (against which a stainless ning out of steam, one of the our

having been in solitary for so long and

student guard supervisors came to

steel toilet was situated) and then not having talked with any Iranian in



back before the front see me. While he would not tell me

angling joining weeks who could or would tell me



wall. This front wall less than what was going on, he was at ease and

was anything. He also professed to know

and consisted friendly. I told him that putting us in

three feet in length little. I thought it a bit strange that,

almost of prison was not agood for him move

entirely a floor-to-ceiling after a short while, this individual

steel door with a slot near the bottom and his colleagues, and noted that it

wanted to quit talking and play cards.

for a food tray and a small closed win would no doubt create more antipa I also noticed that he had been able to



dow at face height. The ceiling was thy toward him, his fellow students, keep his watch, which was odd; I and

and Iran. For once, the student made

perhaps 15 feet above the floor, and everyone with me in the dining room

small transom-type window no attempt to justify the Embassy

one that first night had our watches and

takeover or to condemn either the

joined with a dim bulb to provide the rings taken, never to be seen again.

Shah President Carter. He replied

or

only light. It was a scene out of Hol Nor did any of those who were with

movies. And I

that the move was carried out only

lywoods worst B-grade me in the Mushroom Inn or in the

furious. for our own safety and that we really

was TDY bungalow before I was moved

were not in

prison, we were only in a

into solitary have their jewelry.

prison-like place. I gaped at him

Ipounded on the door until my and waved my arm to encompass the

hands began to swell, but no one After we were all reunited at the Air

medieval-like surroundings. He

came. I paced angrily back and forth Force Hospital in Wiesbaden, Ger

smiled and left.

in the small area (three steps, turn; many, I learned than this individual

three steps, turn; three steps...) for was one of several who had collabo

what seemed like hours. Once, when We were there 10 days. I left the cell rated with the Iranians. He had been

the judas window opened and a three times for showers, followed by able to receive uncensored letters

12-foot 12-foot from home and had been

strange face peered in, I rushed short stints in a by even



toward the door, whereupon the win exercise pen with 15-foot brick walls allowed to talk to his family on the

dow slammed shut. I let loose

was and open only to the sky. For the rest telephone, so he knew much that he

with a string of the foulest obsceni of the time, it was pace, sleep, and try did not share with me during our few

ties I could think of, insulting the to read by the light of the bulb, hours Nor, as it turned out,

together.

unknown peeper, our captors, which burned 24 hours a day. The did he share any information with his

Khomeini, and Iranians in general. food ranged from bad to abomina cellmates during all that time. I then

No reaction, no response. I had heard ble, and the only part of it I ever understood why he had been put in

other doors slam down the celiblock, recognized was the rice. At least, I my cell that day in Evin Prison.

and at least I had the small reassur hoped it was rice. The only excep

ance that I was not alone. After tion to this routine occurred the I passed our 180th day in captivity

enough time had passed for the morning of the second day, when a (and my 16 1st day in solitary) in

adrenaline to begin wearing off and I fellow hostage was put in my cell. Evin. Then, in the middle of the 10th







29

Iran









Along with several

colleagues who

constituted our little

night, I was again subjected to the I lost quite a bit of weight. When we



canvas hood and driven for several group, I was

tour

arrived in Wiesbaden I tipped the

hours, along with a couple of others, moved four more times scalesat 133 pounds; I had weighed

to a new place. This time, it was an about 180 on 4 November 1979. If it

in a short period.

ostentatious villa that must have were not for the pistachio nuts and





belonged to a wealthy person. After dates that appeared fairly frequently

crossing an elaborate marbled grand 9~ during our stay at the hotel, plus the

foyer (although still hooded, I could barbari bread at breakfast, I would

see out of the bottom just enough to have lost even more weight.

moving that it no longer angered

get a good sense of the surroundings)

to



and ascending a wide and curving me to be awakened in midsleep and

On the positive side, the weather was

told get ready to move out. Not

staircase carpeted with the deepest to

superb, with cool evenings and warm

pile I have ever trod on, I ended up that there was much to move out in

the first place; my belongings con

days. I could sit out in fresh air, even

in a room about 10 feet by 12 feet,

if I couldnot be in the sun. I had

which had obviously been the bed sisted of a plastic shopping bag

unlimited access to a real bathroom

room of a small girl. The bedspread, holding a change of clothes, a few toi with a Western-type toilet, rather

sheets, and wallpaper had green and letries, a towel, pencil and paper, and

than the usual porcelain holes in the

pink cartoon-type dinosaurs and a couple of books.

floorwhich I had quickly dubbed

othercreatures, the windows were

Khomeini Holes. I was kept sup

framed with lacy curtains, and there My next move, with US Air Force plied with books, and I had a real bed

were Nancy Drew books in the book Capt. Paul Needham and Marine with sheets I knew were clean because

cases. The bed was about two feet Gunnery Sgt. Don Moeller, was to a I washed them myself in the shower.

shorter than my 6-foot, 3-inch fairly modern Holiday Inntype In terms of captivity, it did

not get

height. Although there was a bath hotel, situated several hours away. I much better than this. If it were not

room adjoining it, I was never was on about the fourth floor, in a

for the cuisine, this stay might even

permitted to use it; instead, I was room with double beds, a bath

two

have been almost bearable.

blindfolded and walked down a corri room, and a balcony fortified with

dor to an incredibly sumptuous steel plates about three inches thick

black-marbled bath with bright brass and a foot wide. The plates were

fixtures. Despite the luxury, I was still welded together to form a nearly solid Komiteh Prison



a prisoner, and there was always an wall from the floor to the ceiling of

armed guard outside my door. I was the balcony, making it impossible to lt didnot last, of course. On the night

struck then, and remain so today, by see out. of 22-23 June 1980 we were moved

the highly surrealistic sensation these to Komiteh Prison in Tehran, where I

circumstances evoked. We spent six weeks there. would reside for the 15 weeks.

They were next



not bad weeks, except for

particularly While my cell bigger than the

was one



our meals, which were so unpalatable in Evin, perhaps eight feet by ten feet,

If Its Tuesday, It Must Be...? even our Iranian guards had trouble there toilet. I was back to

was no



choking them down. Most of the sleeping foam pallet on the floor

on a





Along with several colleagues who time I had no idea what it was we and had only a small desk, chair, and

constitutedour little tour group, I were being served, but I do know that lamp for furniture, plus one small

was moved four more times in a short there was no meat. Beans I could dis window high up on the back (out

period. The villa was home for only tinguish, and rice was a no-brainer, side) wall that let in partial light

five days, followed by about nine days but much too frequently neither taste during the day. It soon was the mid

in a ratty, filthy, rundown third-floor nor appearance lent any clues to the dle of summer, and to handle the heat

apartment in an urban area. Then I origin or nature of the glop before us. I began sleeping during the day and

was moved to a ratty, filthy, run Of the dishes I could handle, one

two staying up all night. There was an

down ground-floor room in the same was marginally satisfactory, and in open ventilation grill over the solid

building for another eight days or so. the other I just dug out the beans and steel door; by standing on my chair, I



By this time, I had become so inured left the rest. could look out into the cell block.









30

Iran









Colleagues starting

whispering across ...









the ceilbiock. When I

Within a few days, I discovered that It was too dark to read, so I sat on the

chipped in, there was a

my cell was at one end of the block floor watching the flashing light of

and that there were five colleagues, startled hush at first shell bursts somewhere outside my

including Tom Schaefer, in the cell little window and tried to figure out

because] some of those

across from me and three of the who the perpetrators might be. The

Marine security guards next door. I present thought I had only conclusion I could draw was



soon deduced from a number of clues that it wasIraqis. I could not

the

in the toilet room and shower room

already been executed.

imagine why Iraq might be bombing

(located at the opposite end of the Iran, but I did recall that the

celiblock) that there were about 20 to 9 countries had not always

two



been the

22 of us in the cellblock, split among best of neighbors; nor did I doubt

five or six cells. As usual, I was the that it was in the Iraqis character to

attempt that prompted our forced

only one in solitary. attack Iran on any pretext if they per

exodus from the Embassy in April;

ceived the Iranians to be in a

the release of Rich Queen, who was

Late in August and again in Septem weakened position.

sent home in July with multiple scle

ber, two memorable events occurred.

rosis; and other information on who

On one night around mid-August, at I was not at all unhappy to see some

was where and what others had

perhaps about 0200 hours, I was suffered.

one, anyone, dropping bombs on

heard, seen, or (Originally,

reading when I heard someone down 66 staff were

Iran. I felt reasonably sure a prison

the cellblock knock on the steel door, Embassy captured on 4 would not be a prime target. While a

November 1979. Two weeks later,

the usual sign that someone needed stray round could always drop in, I

most of the minorities and women

to visit the toilet. But I then heard no was feeling safe sitting in a room with



sound of the door were released, bringing our number three-foot-thick reinforced walls. So

opening. A minute

down to 53. With the release of Rich,

or two later the knocking came again, bomb away, I mentally told whoever

the rest of us would remain until the

only louder. Again no response, and it was, and damn good luck to you.



again a louder knock, followed by the end.) This little over-the-garden- The muzzle blasts of several antiair

fence chat with Tom

crashing sound of a fist really ham was won craft guns in close proximity to the

mering the door. An amazed voice drously rejuvenating. prison kept the noise level high, but

said, Christ, hes sound asleep out it greatly disconcerting. I was

was not



there! I pulled the chair up and also intrigued, having flown dozens

The other evening was

momentous

looked out the ventilation grill of missions in Vietnamthe pri

on September,

23 when all the

lights

(which someone else had also obvi mary purpose of which was to drop

suddenly went out, not just in my cell

ously done) and saw our guard, but also the celiblock and around

bombs on peopleby the unique

on

possibly the youngestand small the This followed few

sensation of being on the receiving

estof all the Iranians I had seen

prison. was a

end of an air assault.

minutes later by a warning siren

during the entire hostage crisis, head

going off outside my cell. On the

down on his table and dead to the Meanwhile, my Iranian guards kept

heels of the siren came the somewhat

world only a few feet from the door popping in every five minutes, most of

that had received all the pounding. distant but unmistakable whump, them gripped in something akin to an

whump of exploding ordnancemy acute state of goggle-eyed panic,

With that, colleagues starting whis first clues that all the tuckus was an

if I

apparently to see sharing the

were

air raid. It took a minute for my

pering back and forth across the same fearorperhaps to see if I was

cellblock. When I chipped in, there bemusement to evaporate and then using some secret gizmo to guide the

was a startled hush at first, caused, I my spirits soared, thinking that Presi bombers; anything was possible to

learned, by the fact that some of dent Carter had finally unleashed US these kids, whose knowledge of the

those present thought I had already military might against the Iranians in espionage business came from movie

been executed. Once over this news, another rescue attempt. But com characters. One reason I had not been

the others remained quiet while Tom mon sense and reasoning quickly permitted to keep a watch was that at



Schaefer brought me up to date on returned, and I realized that this sce least some of the Iranians believed I

such things as the Desert One rescue nario was very problematical. might be able to use it to talk to









31

Iran









Khomeini, when asked

what to do next with

the

hostages, is

Washington. On the

plane out of passed along to me whatever he was

Tehran following our release, one col reported to have told, and I reciprocated, although the

league told the story of visiting the replied, We have students were not nearly as forthcom

toilet room in Komiteh Prison, which ing with me.

was monitored by a video camera.

squeezed them like

While standing by the window, he lemons, and they are I would think about whatever news



continually looked back and forth no longer of any use to

Dave would obtain from the guards

between the sky and his watch, which and reach some general conclusions,

he had been able to talk the Iranians us. Send them back. which generated more questions in

into returning to him, mimicking

my mind. I would send a note back

someone



of arrival

checking the expected time

of something, say a particu

9 to himgiving my thoughts and a list

of questions, answers to which he

lar satellite. A minute or two later, he should try to elicit from the students.

gave a nod of satisfaction and began The next time he was visited by these

AttachØ. I had talked with him briefly

alternately talking to his watch and before

guards, he would work the questions

then holding the watch up to his ear. captured, but now we

we were

into the conversation and, when

After a minute of that, the guards began a short-distance relationship alone, would send the answers back

that became a strong friendship. The

burst into the room. That was the end to me. Thus, the classic intelligence



of that watch. Now, with bOmbs going dividing wall ended at the rear of the need for particu

cycle: a recognized

room against a window, leaving about

off in the vicinity of the prison, the lar information was followed by

a 1/4-inch gap between the wall and

guards did not know what to think tasking to a collector, who acquired

when they found me sitting serenely

the windowpane. Dave and I soon information from sources and then

began sliding notes back and forth

on the floor cheering each explosion. reported it back the

requirements

to

between our respective cells; we



communicated about many things,

originator, where it was collated, ana

lyz.ed, and disseminated, along with

Evin Redux

especially our prospects for release. new requirements. By the time we



were split up in late December, Dave



We were in Komiteh only two more Dave had flown two tours in Viet and I had an efficient intelligence

weeks before being moved back to nam, the first in B-52s and later in cycle working for us!

Evin Prison, this time into a bunga F-105 fighter-attack aircraft. Thanks,

low-sized house on the prison no doubt, to those experiences plus Other sources of intelligence were



grounds that had been turned into a nearly a year in captivity, he had Time, Newsweek, and Der Spiegel

makeshift jail. From its hillside

perch, become thin, gray-haired, rather hag magazines, which the Iranians began

I could continue to sneak

peeks gard-looking, and possessed of a giving to us, albeit with information

through a less than perfectly blacked scraggly beard. He looked like some about our own situation carefully

out window at the night air raids on thing between a kindly grandfather excised. Keenly interested in the com



Tehtan. The room was only about and a homeless person. We were ing US elections because one of the

four feet wide but possibly 15 feet again seeing a number of our old goals of our captors was the unseating

long; it was actually half of a larger guards whom we had not seen since of President Carter, the Iranians took

room, partitioned by a wall con the old days back in theEmbassy, great glee in showing us stories of the

structed of acoustic tile nailed to a and some were actually happy to see political campaign and nominating

framework of 2x4s. us. There were also some new stu conventions that indicated former

dents who did not seem to have the Governor Reagan held a significant

This divide was not too substantial, initial dread of us our guards had lead over the President in the polls.

and soon I was having short, whis exhibited right after the takeover.

pered conversations with the Most of the guards soon came to con Fortunately, the Iranians did not

adjoining occupant. Dave Roeder was sider Dave a pleasantly benign always catch things they did not want

an Air Force lieutenant colonel who person, possibly something of a sub us to see in these periodicals. In an



had arrived in Tehran just days stitute father-figure, and they would issue of Der Spiegel, for example, our

before the takeover to serve as the Air often stop to chat with him. Dave captors completely missed a story









32

Iran









The Iranian

Government finally

began negotiating

about the Desert One rescue attempt, world works. The overnight change

seriously with the in the Iranians attitude was palpa

complete with maps and diagrams of

the mission plan, as well as the pho American Govermnent, ble. Their delight in a Carter defeat

tos of the burned wreckage of the was replaced by a growing fear of the

C-130 in the desert. Although I did

with the help of the new administration.

not read or speak German, the pho Algerians.

tos provided a clear picture of what The students knew that serious nego

the mission was to have been and, to

somewhat lesser degree, what had

~9 tiations between the United States

and Iran

a were finally in progress,



gone wrong. All this open-source spurred by two crucial facts: dealing

information was factored into my dis with Iraqi aggression was almost a

that they never focused on what his

seniinated intelligence to Dave life-and-death matter for their coun

defeat might mean to Iran and to our

Roeder.

situation. They believed Mr. Reagan try, from which the Iranian

Government needed no superfluous

would be their friend, someone who

Many conclusions Dave and I reached

understood all the injustices America

distractions (such as the care and feed

as aresult of this collection program ing of 52 prisoners of the state), and

had perpetrated on their innocent

were right on the mark or nearly so. the hardcore Islamic fundamentalists

country for so many years. Our cap

For example, from student comments had finally seized control of the gov

tors were certain Reagan would

about the elections and their much ernment from the Bani-Sadr

understand their point of view and

more cheerful attitudes, we hypothe moderates. In the midst of this,

why they came to the Embassy that

sized that those of us who were going

November Dave and I told them

Khomeini, when asked what to do

day. with the

to be returned to America would next hostages, is reported to

differently, our words did not

but res



probably be released no later than the have replied, We have squeezed them

onate. Imagine, then, the Iranians

presidential inauguration on 20 Janu utter befuddlement when, several

like lemons, and they are no longer of

ary 1981; those who were not released

after the election, President-elect any use to us. Send them back.

days

by then (and we counted ourselves,

Reagan called the Iranians barbari

plus Tom Schaefer, the COS, and one ans and noted that he did not

There was one additional element that

or two other military officers as poten had some bearing on our ultimate

bargain with such people.

tial members of this select group) release. In October 1980, the new Ira

would probably be kept in Iranian jails nian prime minister came to the UN

for at more years. Other

least several Being labeled as barbarians was in New York to seek support for his

possible, but not likely, release dates highly offensive to many Iranians, country in the war with Iraq and con



were soon afterbut not beforethe who believed their country and cul demnation of Iraq as an aggressor.

4 November 1980 presidential elec ture to be sophisticated and refined. What he found was that no one

tion, and Christmas. We also Several students came to talk to Dave wanted to talk to him about Iraq.

concluded that the Algerians offer to Roeder about this, and Dave would Everywhere he turned, he was con

serve intermediary role was a

in an ask, in effect, What did you expect? fronted with demands to release the

positive step. Finally, from observing You capture the American Embassy, American diplomats, with Iranand

the changing attitudes of the students hold American citizens prisoner for not Iraqthe object of general con



who guarded us, we decided that the over ayear, claim that America is demnation. In a private conversation

shooting war with Iraq was now prob your number-one enemy, claim that with the wife of one of our colleagues

ably much more of a pressing problem you hate Americans, desecrate the who was an effective leader in the

to Iran than its diplomatic war with American flag by burning it and haul family support organization, the

the United States. ing garbage in it before the world prime minister offered the immediate

press, and maintain that you are at release of her husband, only to be told

war with America. And now you in blunt terms that her husband was



Standing Tall think that Ronald Reagan is going to not to be released unless and until all

be your friend? He will not be your hostages were released. The all-or

Our Iranian captors hatred of Presi friend. You have brought this on nothing policy had been voiced by the

dent Carter was so deep and strong yourselves, and that is the way the State Department and the White









33

Iran









We could tell by the

Iranians attitudes and

moods that things on

House from the beginning, but the 23 December, when we were moved

the diplomatic front

prime minister was surprised to learn again. After a short ride from Evin, I

that the families felt the same way. were, at last, moving was led into a building and down sev



eralflights of stairs. Just before

So it was that the Iranian Govern

along. entering my new quarters, we walked

finally began negotiating the marble floor of what

ment



seriously with the American Govern 9~ across



seemed to be a large, unfurnished



ment, with the help of the Algerians. room. When I heard one of the

The task was not an easy one for the guards plink at a piano somewhere in

US negotiating team, headed by then the room, the first impression was

Deputy Secretary of State Warren more open andwilling to talk (espe that of a ballroom or other similarly



Christopher. To the Iranians, negoti cially, and

thankfully, to Dave large area.



ating seriously did not necessarily Roeder). They began to talk more

mean negotiating in good faith; they about us going home, and there

When the blindfold was removed, I

looked at the beginning of talks as the was an upswing in their collective

looked around. I thought that I had

opening of the bazaar. mood, despite their disappointment

been magically transported to one of

with President-elect Reagan. And our

the mens restrooms at the

Kennedy

The Iranians wanted a number of quality of life marginally improved: I

Center. I standing a room that

was in

issues settled in their was able to shower more frequently

favorparticu resembled a small parlor; it was nicely

larly the of several billion US

freeing (although there was no hot water, the

dollars that had been frozen in their shower room unheated, the window carpeted and wallpapered, and fur

cracked openand it nished with an easy chair, a table,

European and American bank permanently

the of US getting damn cold in the moun lamp, and the ubiquitous foam sleep

accounts; delivery military was





order, and, in tains where Evin is situated). We ing pad on the floor. Additional light

equipment on some

was provided by sconces. On one side

instances, paid for under the Shahs continued to receive American-style

was a short hallway leading (I soon

regime; and apologies for previous food, and we were regularly given

about learned) to the toilet area. There was

wrongs done to Iran by the United newsmagazines, minus stories

States. In bazaar-market fashion, the us and the negotiations.

just one window in the parlor, near



the high ceiling on the wall opposite

Iranians bargained for everything,

the double-entry door. (After release,

soon frustrating only the Ameri

not As November 1980 moved into

I learned that we were being held at

cans but also the

Algerians by December, there was anticipation

the Foreign Ministrys guesthouse.

apparently agreeing on certain points that Christmas would bring good

The source of this information was a

or amounts, only to renege several news, perhaps freedom. Dave

even

colleague who had been living in one

days later. hoped for a Christmas release. I too

of the luxurious guest rooms upstairs,

thought that was possible, consider

while I languished in what was a

We could tell by the Iranians atti ing that President Carter had been

basement bathroom).

tudes and moods that the unseated and that Iraq Irans

things on was now



biggest problem. To my mind there

diplomatic front were, at last, mov

did be any substantive While I had

ing along. Our move back to Evin not appear to a better living area than I

was, at least in my mind, more than reason for holding us longer, had had in most of my previous

routine. In Komiteh, we were all although that did not rule out keep abodes, I was still furious at being

together, in circumstances which ing us for spite or for leverage in there, to the point of lashing out ver



made it easy for the Iranians to take trying to obtain in the

negotia the

more

bally at guards, trying to

even



care of us; and we were as safe from

tions. I grew cautiously optimistic. pick a fight with them. in earlier

external dangers as we could proba days, an episode like this would have

bly ever be. For the Iranians to go to resulted in some form of punish

the trouble of moving us again to The Final Weeks ment, probably either shackling or

new quarters, which only increased loss of book privileges. Now the

their workload, seemed a positive My positive attitude was dashed and guards just shrugged, told me not to

development. The guards became replaced by an angry outburst on turn on the light, and left.









34

Iran









When the Algerian

Ambassador was able

to report to US officials

As I stewed in the dark (and in the struck me then that release was proba

that he had personally

cold, there being no heat coming from bly close, ifnot in the next

day or

the radiator), a flak cannon opened up seen and talked with two, then around 20 January (the



just outside the rooms only window, symbolism of a release on inaugura

and I could again hear the whump,

me, that was the first

lost

tion day was not on me).

whump of ordnance exploding in the news in a year that I

distance. From the light from the I triednot to be too optimistic by

was still alive.

muzzle flashes, I confirmed that I was reminding myself that it was possible

in a basement (looking up and out the I would not be freed then or anytime

window, I could see that I was at least 9 soon. If nothing happened during the



eight feet below ground level). I set week of the 20th, then I should accept

about the room, full of

pacing across that I was in for a long term of incar

anger and adrenaline, the way lighted the

ceration and be grateful that things

my previous treatment, including

by the flashes and a modest amount of When the

were not worse. (To put our situation

400-plus days in solitary.

ambient light. Finally, the gun silent, I in perspective, it is a fair comparison

walked until fatigued and called it a guards started to react to this discus

to say that our treatment was worse

sion, which they could not follow, I

day. switched back to English and thanked

than that received by American avia

tots at the hands of the Germans in

the Ambassador for his time.

Still in a funk the morning, I

next the World War II stalags, but unques

ignored the

guards they when tionably much better than the

I in much better spirits following

brought me breakfast and again when was

treatment Japan gave to its POWs

the visit, but was still surprised when that or that

conflict

they returned to fix the heat and jer during same



someone collected the just-written meted the North Vietnamese

ryrig a shower in the toilet area. By out by

letters. And I the POWs in the Hanoi Hilton.)

days end, after having taken long, was even more sur

to



hot showers following each of my two prised when I learned on release that

exercise periods, I was in a much bet the letter had made it to my mother this time, there

During reappeared

terframe of mind. But I continued to (the Iranians had long by then

one of the first

guards I had had in

ignore the guards, just to be perverse destroyed any trust I placed in their the Embassy during the eternity

and to remind them of my intense word). When the Algerian Ambassa before our dispersal around the coun

dislike of being treated like dor was able to report to US officials

a com try. Mehdi was perhaps 20 or 21, and

I had been made that he had personally seen and

modity. again aware he had consistently been kind to me

of the utter lack of control I had over

talked with me, that was the first while I was in his charge. We had

in year that I still alive;

my life. That failed news a was

never to anger spent hours talking on many topics,

but it was good to have the letter as

and frustrate me, not only while in often with each trying to educate or

but also for years afterward. confirmation. The letter was hand-

captivity explain things to the other. I was

delivered to my mother by an Agency pleased to see him again, and he con

Several hours after dinner on this officer, who then sat with her and fessed to being pleased as well. It was

went over the letter, asking her to

Christmas Eve, the door opened and interesting to note a change or two in

confirm that it was my handwriting

in walked three Arab men in suits him, particularly an improvement in

and that it reflected my personality. his English, an ancillary benefit many

and ties, accompanied by a contin

With that, my name was apparently of our guards obtained as their

gent of our guards. I was then

checked off on the still with us list. months with us passed. None of

introduced to the Algerian Ambassa

dor to Iran. He asked how I was Mehdis previous occasional dour

faring and told me that if I wanted to Along with Christmas breakfast, I ness was in evidence and, although

write a letter home, he would person received a real present from home (the not giving away any secrets, he spoke

ally carry it United States

to only package from home the Iranians more openly and frankly.

Government officials. I quickly let me have, out of many sent to me):

accepted the offer and then, speaking a shoebox stuffed with goodies, Mehdis optimistic attitude and those

softly but quickly, outlined to the including a crossword puzzle book, a tidbits he did let drop (or I elicited)

diplomat in terribly fractured French deck of cards, and real Kleenex. It in our chats served as additional









35

Iran









Nineteen January

1981] lasted forever. I

could not sleep, read,

indexes of possibly imminent release. over a year. Asmiling Algerian doctor

or close my mind.

Unlike any of the other guards with gave me arudimentary physical exam

whom I spoke during those last few and finished by telling me I was fine.

months, he had begun to engage in

9, While pleased to hear that, what was

some objective reflection of what it really exciting to me was the thought

was that he and his cohorts had done that the Iranians, now having had

and what their actions might have outsiders verify that I was alive and in

meant in terms of his countrys long- acceptable health, could not very well

medics blood kit. With sleeve rolled

term stability. For example, although claim I had been shot trying to escape

up and fist clenched, I watched with

most of our captors seemed to have small of or had died in captivity. Moreover,

no trepidation as

amount

trouble grasping cause and effect thisyouth approached my arm with a knowing that the Algerians had

relationships, Mehdi had indepen huge hypodermic syringe, fully intent played a significant role in the negoti

dently concluded that Irans loss of on draining a few gallons of blood.

ations between Iran and the United

US friendship and protection had States, I thought it highly unlikely

helped allow the Soviets to invade that they would certify we were alive

My fears notwithstanding, the experi

Afghanistan and later encouraged the left unharmed and for the

and healthy, and then walk away and

ence me

Iraqis to initiate the recently begun leave us. I knew then for sure that we

first time almost free of pessimism: I

hostilities with Iran. No other Ira were going home.

had been seen by the Algerian

nian I talked with ever gave any sign

of this.

Ambassador, permitted to write a let

understanding home which real

There were two other interesting

ter enjoyed some

that First, I had to

events night.

prospect of being delivered, and had

blood taken, almost certainly as part appear before Tehran Mary and a

The End in Sight film crew. Mary and her friends were

of a medical examination. Looking at

this evidence, I could not talk myself

smiling and acting as though this was

With somethin~ositive finally in the social event of the season. In front

out of believing that the end was

the offing, thedays seemed to of the camera, I was asked how I was

pass

really coming. and I Fine. She then

more slowly as we went from Decem doing, replied,

ber 1980 into January 1981, with the asked if I had been treated well while

only noticeable change being less

Nineteen January lasted forever. I I had been a guest of Iran. I burst out

could sleep, read, close my and replied that I had been

contact with the guards. By early Jan not or

laughing,

mind. I spent most of that day pac held

uary, the only Iranians who came to against my will in solitary for

my room, other than Mehdi, who ing the room and waiting for another more thanyear, had not been able

a



still knock. Dinner came and went, while to tell my family that I was even alive,

dropped by occasionally, were

those who brought my meals. I did time dragged on and I grew more and had been interrogated, was physically

more despondent. I had miscalcu abused more than once, and had been

not mind this reduction in contact



and thus irritated when, several

was

lated, I thought; if I was not released threatened with trial and execution.

hours after dinner on 18 January, now, then it would probably be a And now I was being asked if I had

there was a knock on my door. I was long time before I enjoyed any kind been treated well. So the answer was,

of freedom again. No! There

startled by this unusual act of cour were no follow-up

tesy, and it did not occur to me to questions.

reply. The door opened, and a guard But it did happen. Well after mid

ushered in a young male dressed in a night, I was blindfolded and walked As for the second event, I had not



white jacket and

carrying some sort of outside to another building. When I been back in my basement bathroom

tray, only to find me standing per could again, I was in a large insti

see long when, near daybreak, Hossein

plexed in the middle of the room. tutional-type kitchen, and in the came to say He sat on the

good-by.

Viewing the white jacket, I assumed room beyond I could see some of my floor the side wall, looking

against

that the guard had brought the cook colleagues. I was taken to a smaller tired and more than a bit haggard,

down for a culinary review of that room, where there were three medical but happy. Almost gloating, in fact.

nights dinner. Then I took a good examining tables set up, two occu He began by telling me that it was all

look at the tray and saw that it was a pied by colleagues I had not seen in over, that we were all going home,





36

Iran









The last sounds I heard

before tearing loose

from the crowd at the

and that Iran was finally going to be bottom of the stairs and sprinting

bottom of the stairs and

free from outside interference so Ira into the cabin were, Hey, wait! Can

nians could have the kind of country sprinting into the you help get me a visa to America?

they wanted. I responded that it aircraft] cabin were,

sounded good, but that I was sure it

was not going to happen because, in Hey, wait! Can you

Epilogue

my view, Iranians lacked the neces



the past

help get me a visa to

saryself-discipline to keep I record here some vignettes

from repeating itself. America? want to



that did make the evening news

not



and were not of any great import to

Hossein said he did not understand. I 9, what happened to the 52 of us as a

noted that governing a nation and

least of group. But these brief moments

permitting at some degree inde

freedom (which Hossein and his

almost without exception hold

cohorts always maintained would be

congenial farewell, he said he had scribable meaning to me. Not

many things to do. He then stood coincidentally, whenever I have been

the case in Iran) required great toler

and wished me good luck. I shrugged, privileged to speak to various audi

ance on the part of the authorities. I

and he left. ences, these were also the stories that

said that the government of such a

seemed to touch the individual listen

country could not lock someone away the Yet these stories, which

After sundown 20 I ers most.

or execute them just because some

on January, was



blindfolded for the last time and put a human face on those events, are

one with the power to do so did not

walked out of the building, minus the the least likely material to survive

like something the person said or did. over time. And I do not want that to

I told him that rules and laws had to little bundle of possessions that I had

happen. Too many Americans gave

be applied to all citizens equally and managed to retain over the months.

The Iranians had taken everything we too much of themselves during that

that it took governmental and per

had and sent us out of the country time to allow these memories to fade.

sonal self-discipline to make this

work. Looking him directly in the with only the clothes on our backs. I



eyes, I told him that nothing I had

was helped onto a bus and pushed It may seem odd that the 14-plus

toward the back, able to see from months I spent as a captive of the Ira

seen, heard, or experienced in my

underneath my blindfold that all the nians have endowed my life with

time in Iran gave me any indication

he and his fellow Iranians had any seats were filled with Americans. I was memories actually worth safeguard

the last Standing at the I ing. Even some events that were not

understanding of this. The revolu one on. rear,



glimpsed my COS sitting in the seat and things I like to dwell on

are not

tionary government was unwilling to

in front of me. This was the first time had their uplifting and sometimes

grant its citizens any measurable

I had him in nearly 15 months. humorous aspects. My fondest mem

degree of true freedom, and there was

seen





in my opinion, a snowballs ories are those of our return to

nor,

chance in hell that it would. As slowed the freedom; one likened it to

colleague

we on airport apron,

could hear crowd being bathed in love, which says it

we a yelling; the

Hossein rebutted my comments, sounds almost all. I should also add that this was all

were deafening as the

a tremendous surprise to me, and it

using the same idealistic revolution bus stopped and the door opened.

Each of walked the door of was some time before I came to

ary rhetoric that I had heard so many us was to



the bus, where the blindfold was accept psychologically the great good

times, from so many Iranians. He

fortune that befell us.

ended by repeating that all Irans removed. We were then more or less



problems had been caused by outsid pushed off and propelled through a

ers, most notably by America, and gauntlet of screaming Iranians toward Confined in a solitary state for all but



that now everything was going to be the tear stairs of a Boeing 727. As I the first 19days of our captivity and

good in Iran. I did not carry the was moved along to the airplane, I generally deprived of news from the

debate further. He tried to chitchat recognized some of our former outside, I had no idea of what



for a few minutes, but, when he real guards. The last sounds I heard before awaited when the time came for

us



ized that I had no interest in a tearing loose from the crowd at the our return. Some of my colleagues









37

!ran









We have many reasons



to be eternally grateful

to the Algerians.

who received changes of roommates A remarkable man, the Algerian

more frequently than I received

chances to shower had, through vari

9 captain had

marvelous sense of

a



humor and loads of charisma. The

ous sources, been able to glean some looks of disappointment, which must

general idea of the public reception in have filledour faces as we contem



the offing. I was clueless. plated the rolls and butter, drew his

It wasonly by happenstance that I concern. He inquired if everything

even knew we would be heading to

was OK, and one of us managed to

The above notwithstanding, I did Germany. Tom Schaefer had shared stammer out with some embarrass

have infrequent glimmers of the this tidbit with me through an air ment that, while we did not mean to

extent to which the American public vent one February day, when we were

appear ungrateful, we had been look

supported us because the Iranians next door to each other in makeshift forward meal that bit

ing to a was a

would, on rare occasion, give me one cells in the chancery basement. substantial. The captain made

more a

of the thousands of cards and

or two

Beyond that one specific piece of small joke, but then turned serious

letters sent to us by caring Americans intelligence, I was left with my imagi and apologized for the meager fare.

throughout our captivity. These short nation when it came to dreaming

missives would without fail inform us about and planning for my return

The reason, he explained, is that the

that we were in their prayers, urge us home. And I will humbly note right

plane had left for Tehran several days

to be strong, and end with a hope for now that for every single image, idea,

ago, of exactly when, or even

unsure

a speedy conclusion to our ordeal. or dream I had about our return, I

whether, our release would take place.

Many thanked us for our sacrifice was dead wrong on each of them.

He described landing in Ankara to

and for bringing the country

top off the fuel tanks and to stock the

together, even at such a cost to us and larder, noting that the only food that

to our government. The Captain would keep on the plane more than a



day or so without spoiling were the

The Iranians had waged a psychologi We left Tehran on an Air Algerie rolls and butter. So you see, he said

cal war against all of us, its intensity 727, and it all seemed surrealistic. It softly, we did not know how long we

varying oniy with the degree to which still does. But it was the best plane would be in Tehran, and we would

each of us was viewed by them as an ride I have ever had. In celebration, not aliow the Iranians to cater your



enemy of the revolution. A measur we hoisted small glasses of cham food.

able element in that war was the pagne when we left Iranian airspace

unrelenting effort tous that

convince and, when dinner was served, bottles The Air Algerie 727 was configured

we had been abandoned by the Ameri of Algerian wine surfaced, though not in three sections, with first-class seat



can people, that Americans everywhere many; when they were emptied, no ing at the front and two economy

wanted to see us justly held in more appeared. (Some years later, I seating areas behind. The VIPs on

prison for crimes against the Iranian remarked that I thought the wine was board were up front, and my col

nation and people, and that on return excellent, only to have a skeptical leagues and I were in the middle

to the United States we would face friend point out that my taste buds at section. At Mehrabad Airport, we

only shame and humiliation. Permit that particular moment might not boarded in such a rush that I hardly

ting us to read those wonderful cards, have been in top working order.) noticed the occupants in the rear of

which spoke just the opposite to our Moreover, the feast of delicacies, the plane. Later, heading back to the

hearts, undermined their efforts to which I had assured myself would restroom, I did notice a number of

reduce our will to resist. These letters certainly be

ours, did not

appear large, tough-looking chaps sitting in

meant so much to all of us, and I am either. Our first meal in freedom was seats that were too small for their

still amazed that the Iranians ever gave hard rolls and butter. Four or five of bulk. Later, I learned that they were

any of them to us. Nonetheless, even us were thus milling around in the Algerian commandos. On landing in

with the joy and strength those cards aisle, somewhat perplexed at what Tehran, the commandos had set up a

brought me, I never envisioned any was passing for our welcome to free protective perimeter around the plane

thing like what awaited us in Germany dom dinner, when the planes so that no could get within several



and back home. captain stopped by. hundred feet of the aircraft.









38

Iran









On arrival in Frankfurt,

it seemed as though

most of the American

Actually, there were two Air Algerie saddened when he died in a plane

population of Europe

aircraft that came for us. Identical crash in 1982. He was a man who

727s were used, not only to carry was there to greet us]. had devoted the better part of a years

everyone connected with our release energy and patience to gaining our



(negotiators, the Algerian doctors

who examined us, Red Cross person

9, freedom.





nel, commandos, and so forth), but By 0300, we wereaboard two US Air

also for an added layer of protection. what did in the Force C-9 Nightingale medevac air

went or we plane

At departure time, the two planes tax while craft heading for Rhein-Main Airbase

we were waiting.

ied away from the lighted apron at Frankfurt, Germany. I was sitting



together and, by the time they had The walk the terminal served

in the jump seat on flight deck,

the

to as a

reached the runway, no one watch between the pilots, having something

modest introduction to the welcomes

ing could be certain which plane held in the and

of a normal conversation in abnor

the former hostages. The two planes

we were to experience days mal circumstances. The two pilots

weeks to come. The first thing I

took off within a minute of each seemed as pleased to have been cho

noticed was a VIP version of the Boe

other and, once airborne, changed sen to fly pleased

us as we were to be

ing 707 from the US Air Force

position a time or two. If the Irani in their chargealmost. In the midst

Special Missions unit at Andrews Air

ans were of a mind

attempt a to of this conversation, the Italian air

Force Base parked about 50 yards

downing our aircraft, they would traffic control service handed off our

have been confused as to which plane away from our 727. There was a crew

member

flight to French controllers as we

was ours.

hanging about halfway out entered Frances airspace.

the co-pilots window, his face one

huge grin, wildly waving a small but After the check-in calls, the French

We have many be eter

very visible American flag. We were

reasons to



the controller departed from established

nally grateful to Algerians. They as happy to see him as he was to see

radio procedure in his signoff mes

truly cared. us. The first of what could be called

sage the pilot. I am sure all of

to

our cheering crowds, several hun

dred happy and smiling members of your special passengers must be asleep

in the back, (which was decidedly

Warm Welcome the American business community

not true: all the interior lights were

and Embassy in Algiers, were ecstati

on, and my colleagues were all bus

cally waving more American flags.

After we Algiers for the for

landed in tling about and acting as though it

mal turnover from

Algerian custody was an airborne New Years Eve

The inside the VIP lounge

to the US Government (as negoti

scene

bash), but when they awake before

could have been easily mistaken for a

ated by the Algerians with the landing, please tell them that all

Iranians and our government), we routine diplomatic cocktail party. We France is happy their ordeal has

ushered into the VIP suite the strolled in, accepted a small tumbler ended and that French citizens every

were at

of tea or juice, and then stood

fruit where wish them the best

terminal. Some months later, I was as they

around making polite conversation freedom. The pilot tog

watching a video of TV coverage of return to

with people we had never seen before ered his thanks and we flew on. Only

the event and, when the 727 came to



awaited my appear and, atleast in my case, have not seen much later did I realize I should have

a stop, I eagerly

since. It was clear, though, that these

ance. The opportunity to see myself asked the pilot for the microphone to

on worldwide TV was more than just strangers were delighted to see us. thank the controller personally for his

a novelty. So, I waited. And waited. A wishes. I have always regretted not

half-hour passed before the aircrafts I do remember Algerian Foreign thinking faster.

door opened, and then more time Minister Benyahia officially transfer

elapsed before Bruce Laingen walked ring custody of us to the State On arrival in Frankfurt, it seemed as



down the stairs toward the terminal. Department representatives. Other though most of the American popula

Watching the video, I was astonished than shaking his hand before we left, tion of Europe watched us leave the

at the time lapse. I still am. To this we had no chance to meet him or talk aircraft, walk across the ramp, and

day, I have no idea where the time with him; still, I know we were all disappear into blue Air Force buses









39

fran









It is impossible for any

of us to express our



gratitude adequately to

for the short trip over to the USAF West Point. That was because the

the staff of the

hospital at Wiesbaden. A good num State Department took great care to

ber of my colleagues had the presence Wiesbaden Air Force isolate us and our immediate fami

of mind to wave to the crowd that lies, and news organizations were not



met us; I did not. I felt

indescribably

Hospital. I cannot ...



allowed near us. I will try to satisfy

awkward and out of place. Later, I begin to describe the some of that curiosity.

realized I was experiencing a species

of culture shock; I did nor know what

genuine kindness and I confess that I remember

cannot



to do or whar was expected of me. I expert care we received what my first real meal was after we

was self-conscious, did not know

from these folks. were released. What I was especially



what was happening, and was

looking forward to was pizza and

overwhelmed. Heineken beer, and, as a good Okla

9 homa boy, a thick T-bone. But the

Isoon learned that these wonderful first meals in Wiesbaden were not



Americans were from the Rhein memorable. The doctors doing a were



Main Airbase and surrounding area, from children of American military seemingly endless series of laboratory

and that they had been wai ring for personnel. At the time, however, the tests, requiring donations of about

hours during the coldest part of that only sensation was that of being half the blood supply in our bodies;

January night to welcome us. They nearly overwhelmed by color and for accurate test results, our diets had

had a huge American flag hanging smiling faces. to be restricted. Thus, we came to

from the control tower, and almost realize belatedly why we had only one

everyone present was also waving cup each of Algerian champagne and

I was looking forward to the medical

small American flags while cheering wine on the

flight to Algiers, and why

exam, certain I had through

come

without restraint. It was the warmest we were kept on limited diets during



welcome anyone could ever dream of captivity shape, save for the

in fine

our first days at the hospital. On our



receiving.

loss of a couple of pounds and a last night in Wiesbaden, however, we

slight decrease in cardiovascular

enjoyed Maine lobsters sent to us by

endurance. The examination went

There also a sea of yellow rib

was a generous (and imaginative) Ameri

well; the doctor was wonderful, as

bons, bows, and garlands fluttering can. What certainly had to be the



around. No other colors, just yellow.

was everyone connected with the hos best cooks in the Air Force prepared

There was even a huge yellow bow pital. But when I learned the the lobsters and served them with an

outcome, I thought atfirst I had got

tied around the control rower. I men incredible array of side dishes. This

ten someone elses results. I was

tally chalked up these displays of delicious meal was truly a feast and a



yellow to some quaint local German flabbergasted to discover I had lost 47 most memorable event.



custom, and headed for the bus. pounds. My surprise was even greater

when I saw my physical state

described as general wastage,

It is impossible for any of us to

The short walk from the buses up the express our gratitude adequately to

because I certainly did not feel that

hospitals main entrance was through the staff of the Wiesbaden Air Force

way. Fortunately, wasted was a

a corridor full of beaming faces and condition remedied by a

Hospital. The people working at the

temporary

more flags and yellow ribbons. As I lot of eating.

hospital, including US military per

went to my room, it was impossible sonnel and American and German

not to notice the wall decorations. civilians, were as happy to have us



Lots of art work by youngsters in When we arrived back home, many there as we were to be there. I cannot





grammar and middle schools led me peoplefamily, friends, neighbors, begin to describe the genuine kind

to conclude that the Air Force had any groups spoke to, as well as the

we ness and expert care we received from

cleared out a pediatrics ward for us. folks who stopped us on the subway, these folks.

And we were afloat on a sea of yel in airports, and at the neighborhood

low ribbons. Later, when I had the tavernwere naturally highly curi In the middle of the second day,

time to look at each one, I saw that ous about our first days in freedom, Tom Schaefer and I were talking with

the drawings were letters of welcome especially at Wiesbaden and, later, the wards head nurse, Maj. Toni





40

iran









Garner. We were trying to tell her side heading off to who knew where. when, just as the doors started to

how much we appreciated everything (Well, I knew where, actually, and so close, one of my Tehran colleagues

her staff was doing for us and how did several of the othersit led to a jumped in. As we began the ride up,

grateful we were to be in their care. small mens restroom room and he looked at me and said, Nice tie.

Recognizing what we were trying to lounge in which several of us shared Did you have to pay for it?) By the

say, Maj. Garner stopped us by tak some contraband beers on our sec time weleft Wiesbaden, I felt like a





ing our hands, looked up at us, and ond day, smuggled kind soul

in by a latent kleptomaniac and fervently

softly said, Weve been waiting for who shall remain nameless but who hoped this instinct would not mani



you for 444 days. earned our eternal gratitude.) At the fest itself the next time I was in Sears.



angle of the L was a large open area

After the lobster feast, we were where a long, wide table had been set A German orderly at the hospital was



invited to a parry in the enlisted bar up before our arrival. And on that assigned to us, and he was always

racks. A bar had been set up and table were stacked many of the gifts, there whenever we needed anything.

music was playing, and many of the along with the myriad floral arrange Herr Gottfried Pfeiffer had been at



medics we had seen during our three ments, that had been sent to us from the hospital since at least World War

days were there in casual clothes. I people all over the world. II days, when the hospital served the

think about nine of the Tehran German Army, and we all became

bunch showed up, to be welcomed Two items the table stood out:

on an indebted him for his many kind

to



with a large traditional German stein amazing number of T-shirts (once nesses. Herr Pfeiffer even serenaded us



and beverages of our choice. With no back home, it was years before I had on his accordion the lobster feast,

at



dietary restrictions now, we could to buy another one) with mostly beaming with pride as he played.

enjoy the worlds greatest beer. I took patriotic designs, and an enormous



special care to make sure the stein Hersheys chocolate bar. This slab of Two years later, almost to the day, I

made it back home with me, and it chocolate was probably close to four was in Wiesbaden as a tourist. I made



now sits in my home office where I feet in length and an inch or two ita point to go to the hospital to look

see it everyday. thick. Someone had tossed a wicked- up old friends. Many of those who

looking knife on the table next to it had waited for 444 days to care for us



We lot of

things while so that we could hack off whatever I recognized

were given a were gone; I saw no one



we were in Germany, including col amount we wanted. We ate so much as I walked up the main staircase.

lector-type plates from several chocolate that it is a wonder we did There were no yellow ribbons on the

German cities depicting a local land not all get off the plane at Newburgh walls and crayon drawings by

no



mark, usually a cathedral or the city resembling a bunch of ambulatory school children. I walked past the

hail. We were given coffee-table pimples. room Don Cook and I had shared

books for these cities, a yearbook of and into the central part of the ward.

the Wiesbaden Air Force Hospital, a It soon became second nature, when There was no kiepto table, no wall of

crystal Christmas tree ornament, and ever passing the gift table, to look it flowers. And then Herr Pfeiffer came

a porcelain bell compliments of Ger over for the latest arrivals, take one around the corner. He recognized me

man Chancellor Schmidt. We each of whatever there was, and then immediately, and we greeted each

received flowers by the truckload. On hew off a chunk of chocolate before other with joy. He then took my arm

the day of our departure, about eight heading off. It amuses me now to and led meto a wood plaque on the

of us loaded up shopping carts and recall how quickly we got used to the wall. This lovely tribute informed all

rolled through the hospital wards giv table and how accustomed we became readers that they were standing in

ing the still-beautiful flowers to real to getting unsolicited gifts. (Several Freedom Hall and encased a group

patients. But when it comes to gifts, months after we returned, seven of us photo of the 52 of us, taken minutes

what I remember most of all is the were guests of Radio City Music Hall before we left the hospital for Rhein

kiepto table. in New York City at opening night of Main Air Base and the flight home. If

a special production with a patriotic there had been a before photo to go

Our ward was L-shaped, with the theme. We were staying in the exclu with the after photo, the viewer

long side running along the center sive Towers section of the Sheraton, would have no trouble in noticing the

front of the hospital and the shorter and I had already entered an elevator difference. And much of that differ-









41

Iran









ence was due to the wonderful people admitted to the United States. Mr. ovation. I doubt that any of us left his

atthe hospital who cared so much for Carter looked down at the floor for a presence without feeling that we

had

and about us. moment, then raised his head, been well served by an American of

smiled, and said he wanted his pic great dignity and honor.

ture taken with each of us. End of



VIP Visitors meeting. (I still have the photo

stashed away somewhere; the former The Prnne Ministers Mug

We had two special visitors at the hos Ptesident looks awkward, and I look

pitalformer President Carter and like an unsmiling cadaver.) On the flight home, we stopped to



former Secretary of State Vance. Their refuel in Shannon, Ireland, and were

receptions could not have been more I do not deny that President Carters turned loose in the terminal for about

different. We all gathered in our handling of the crisis after the Irani an hour. Having an Irish name, I was



wards lounge area to meet Mr. ans took over the Embassy was the selected, along with one other, to



Carter, who arrived with former Vice- primary reason we all returned alive receive behalf of the group a gift

on



President Mondale, Secretaries and together from Iran. Although of one bottle of Irish Mist from the

Edmund Muskie of State and G. Wil hindsight shows that some mistakes company that makes it. There was a

liam Miller of Treasury, and several were made, Mr. Carters efforts were nice little ceremony, after which I

key members of the White House ultimately successful. But I believe he ended up talking to one of the com



staff. None of my colleagues with has to bear the responsibility for cre pany managers. We were soon joined

whom I talked beforehand had much ating the circumstances that brought by friendly guy, who, when I men

a



interest, if any, in seeing Mr. Carter. about the crisis in the first place. The tioned in passing that I occasionally

In fact, the atmosphere in the room as Embassy, in my view, probably enjoyed a Guinness stout, suggested

we were waiting for him to arrive was would have been left alone had the we repair to the bar for a glass or two.



so chilly that Tom Schaefer felt Shah gone directly to the United

obliged to remind everyone that Mr. States from Tehran in January 1979; The Irish Mist representative, this

Carter had been our President and it had been a mistake to allow him other chap, and I spent 30 minutes or

Commander in Chief, and, as such, into the United States after he had so at the bar, where we each had sev

wasdue respect, regardless of our per roamed the world for 10 months. eral glasses of Guinness. Midway

sonal feelings. When he entered, the through a glass, this nice man asked

former President appeared to me to be Our session with Mr. Vance was the to see the Waterford crystal Christ



ill at ease, uncertain of his reception. opposite. He had opposed the rescue mas bell, which had also been given



attempt and had resigned his office in to us at Shannon. While he was



Mr. Carter was introduced to us one protest, but only after the attempt appreciating it, I mentioned to him

by one, giving us each a hug. Few had taken place, so as not to jeopar that I had been given Waterford

a



embraces returned with any

were dize the security of the operation or beer mug as a gift before I had left

enthusiasm. He spoke to us for about undermine the Presidents authority Washington a lifetime ago, and I

10 minutes, relating some back as Commander in Chief to conduct lamented its loss to the Iranians. A



ground on why he had made the it. We received him with admiration minute later, when the Irish Mist rep

decision to admit the Shah and what and respect. He related honestly and resentative was talking, I almost did

had been done since to obtain our forthrightly how and why various not notice when the other gent

release. He then asked if there were decisions were made, and what was turned couple of big fellows who

to a



any questions. done after the Embassy was taken. seemed be just hanging around in

to



background and whispered

There were several soft questions Among the 52 of us, opinions were something.

posed out of politeness, and then a definitely mixed as to whether it had

colleague stepped forward. He stated been wise to try a military rescue A few minutes later, the hangers-on

that he did not a question but

have operation, but that diversity did not returned and handed him a box. He

wanted to remind the former Presi lessen the esteem we felt for Mr. in turn handed it held a

to meit

dent that the Embassy had provided Vance. He answered great many

a lovely Galway crystalbeer mug. It is

plenty of advance warning of what questions with frankness. When he not Waterford, the man stated, but he



would happen if the Shah were had finished, we gave him a standing hoped that I would enjoy it and think



42

Iran









I wasand remain so



todayiinmensely

grateful for the

of Shannon and true Irish hospitality Corps to dinner that night in the

whenever I drank from it. And I do. homecoming our cadet dining hall. Although I found

Because that is how Irish Prime Min fellow Americans out later that many cadets expected a



ister Charles Haughey came to low turnout (anticipating that we

showered on us.

present me with a Galway beer mug would want to spend time alone with

few glasses of Guinness stout at the families), almost all of us did

over a



the Shannon Airport bar. 9, accept. And of all the heartwarming

and exciting events we experienced,

this dinner with the Corps ranks at

West Point the top. As our buses neared the front

everywhere. From the buses, we all

of the dining hail we could a distant

waved until our arms grew tired, and

The reception in America is still diffi then waved some All of roar, almost like thunder, intruding

we more. us

cult for me to describe. It could not into the quiet of the evening. The

were deeply touched by this parade.

have been any warmer or more mem closer we got, the louder the roar. By

orable. I wasand remain so today the time we stepped out of the buses,

The US Army and the entire staff at

immensely grateful for the homecom it had become deafening.

West Point were as caring, giving,

ing our fellow Americans showered on and gracious the Air Force person

as

us. We landed at Stewart Airport near The din, coming from inside the din

nel had been at the hospital in

Newburgh, New York, and, after hav Wiesbaden. I was always amazed at

ing hall, was our greeting from the

ing cheerful and tearful reunions with the number of people in both institu

Corps. Walking into the building we

our families, we boarded buses for the witnessed the most extraordinary

tions who would thank us for coming

ride to West Point, where we were to spectacle, as cadets of all ranks and

to be with them. But we were the

have a sheltered days

two ourwith classes were cheering and yelling at

ones who were really grateful, and we

families before going to Washington the top of their lungs, many standing

were extremely proud to have met all

for our official welcome home. It took on their chairs while creating this

those who were involved in some way

more two hours to cover the 18

than

with

mind-numbing noise. This welcome

our care.

miles from the airport to West Point; home was the most touching of all to

the way was lined with well-wishers me, and it was all I could do to hold

who carried all types of signs express About an hour before dinner that first back the I do remember being

tears.



night West Points historic Thayer seated

ing theirhappiness to see us back and at

large table with perhaps 10

at a



their Hotel, I was making the rounds of the cadets, including several of the first

feelings toward the Iranians who

had held hotel lobby and meeting room, look women to enter the Academy, and

us captive.

ing at more pictures and letters sent by being so pleased to be with these

area grade-school children, sur

One of the more common signs we young Americans and future leaders.

saw used different cartoon characters rounded as always by yards of yellow I do not think I have ever met a more



or caricatures of famous people, all of

ribbon. Like those in the hospital at impressive, motivated, and intelli

whom were depicted condemning Wiesbaden, these missives all expressed gent group of people. Today, I

Iranians in general or Khomeini in happiness at our return. I wish I had cannot adequately relate the pride I

One had the foresight to have collected felt in being American while in the

particular. frequent expression an



these on our departure and ensured

of disapproval was the blatant presen company of these outstanding men



tation of a hand with the middle digit that they ended up somewhere where and women.



extended, in the universal symbol the public could see them. To me,

which decidedly does not convey a these works of hundreds of young

Were number one meaning. We Americans were priceless. The White House

loved each and every one of those

posters. If the West Point faculty and staff On the morning of our third day, we



were wonderful they almost

to us, retraced our route back to Stewart

Around every there were still

turn, paled in comparison to the welcome and boarded planes for the flight to



more people waiting, with more signs we received from the Corps of Andrews Air Force Base, where we

and posters. There were masses of Cadets. During the second day, we were greeted by more family and by



American flags and yellow ribbons and our families were invited by the close friends and colleagues. We were





43

Iran









The First Lady laughed

and gave me a warm



hug and a kiss on the

then driven in another bus caravan Escaping without penalty for its awful

cheek. Holding my

past thousands of people through the deed, the faction would, in

same





Maryland suburbs and the streets of hands in hers, she October of the same year, kill nearly

Washington, DC, 1600 Pennsylva 250 US Marines in Lebanon with

to

smiled and welcomed

from another cat bomb. The next spring

nia Avenue. We were separated

our families and escorted to the Blue me home. they would again bomb the US

Room, where we were introduced to Embassy annex in East Beirut, with

President and Mrs. Reagan and to 9, the loss of more lives.



Vice-President Bush. President

When there was still no retaliation,

Reagan welcomed us home in a short

the terroristsbegan attacks on Ameri

speech and gave each of us a silk Keeping Promises

cans in Beirut, killing several and

American flag in a personalized rose-

wood presentation box. kidnapping others, including Bill

-









As we sat in an unseasonably warm Buckley, a man I respected greatly.

January sun, I tried to assimilate men

The kidnapped victims were held in

I embarrassed myself somewhat in tally all that had happened to us in this horrid conditions for as long as five

short period of time. It was almost

this simple ceremony. A presidential years before their ordeals finally

aide would call a name, and that per incomprehensible. We were all heart ended. Whenever I recall President

ened and cheered, though, by that beautiful

son would walk up to the President Reagans speech on

President Reagans words, especially I wonder whether there

and Mrs. Reagan, shake hands, and afternoon,

when he promised swift retribution would have been any further attacks

receive his flag. I was busy chatting

against terrorists who might try to against Americans in Lebanon had we

with two colleagues as the others were

repeat such acts against Americans. indeed meted out swift retribution

called, however, so I did not quite When I heard these words, my mind for the first bombing of our Beirut

follow everything. When my name

flashed back to Evin Prison and the

Embassy. The failure to do so, in my

called I went to the Presi

was up change in our captors attitudes after view, only served to prompt more

dent, shook his hand, shook Vice- the President-elect referred to them as attacks and more loss of American

President Bushs hand, and walked barbarians, and the fear these Iranians lifeand to institutionalize hostage-

directly back to where I had been had come to have of the Reagan

taking for the better part of a decade.

standing. Only then did I notice that administration. Good, I thought.

I was receiving a strange look from What Mr. Reagan could only imply as

But all this was in the future

on that

Mrs. Reagan, as well as a few pointed President-elect, he could now state wonderful After the cer

January day.

comments from my friends. openly and authoritatively as adminis emony, we went back inside for a

tration policy. reception and reunion in the East

What I had not noticed before was

Room, where the atmosphere was like

But if I had to finger one single disap New Years Day and the Fourth of

that each person, after shaking hands

pointment from that time, it is that July rolled into one. In the midst of

with the men, had received a kiss and

President Reagan did not live up to this, Anita Schaefer, Toms wife,

a hug from Mrs. Reagan. I was cha his own words. The next horrific ter pulled me aside and said there were

grined when I realized I had walked the United States she wanted me to

totist act against some special people

right by the First Lady. So, after the when 63 walked down the wide

last name was called, I went quickly

came in April 1983, people, meet. As we



17 of them American citizens, lost corridor leading from the East Room

up to her and, apologizing profusely, their lives in a car bombing of the US into the mansion, Anita told me that

asked if it was too late for me to get a

she was going

Embassy in Beirut. The US Govern to introduce me to the

Lady laughed and gave

kiss. The First learned who perpetrated families of the servicemen killed

ment soon eight

me a warm hug and a kiss on the the act and where their headquarters during Desert One. I almost stopped

cheek. Holding my hands in hers, she was situated in Lebanons Baaka Val dead in my tracks, overtaken by a

smiled and welcomed me home. We ley. But, because of Defense Secretary complete evaporation of coherent

then followed the President out Weinbergers concern for possible thought. What, I asked myself, do

through the diplomatic reception civilian casualties, there was no US you saywhat can you sayto total

entrance onto the south lawn. retaliation, no swift retribution. strangers whose husbands and fathers





44

Iran









Suddenly I was in the

middle of this group of

family members of the

died trying to save your life and crisis. They had a clear memory of the

return you to freedom? How can you

eight US servicemen

events and had, in many instances,

tell them you understand and share killed in the rescue

participated in letter-writing cam

their sorrow? How can you tell them

attempt]. They were paigns or in school projects, or simply

you are more grateful that you could

followed national and international

ever possibly express? And how can elated with our release

affairs, often for the first time.

you ever thank them enough for what and proud that their

their men tried to do for you?

husbands and fathers As an audience, these folks were





had greatly interested in all aspects of the

While all this was running through participated in

Anita had been

event. They were seeking to learn and

my mind, moving us such noble cause,

a

understand more about something

down the hail and into another room,

and suddenly I was in the middle of even though at terrible that had perhaps influenced their lives.



this group. It was the most moving cost. But by the 1 990s, there were few peo

and emotional experience of my life. pie in the audiences who were much

The wives and children of these

heroic men were elated with our

~9 over five or six years old when Iran

and the United States were involved in

release and so very happy that we this struggle of national wills. Now,

were all safely reunited with our fami when I speak to them of the Iranian

The day of celebration ended, and we

lies. Their smiles wete as big as those

crisis, they look at it as a historical,

soon went our separate ways, back to

worn by our own family members, if and families and to a nor academic event remote from, or even

our careers

not more so. If they had any regret or

mal life. We from unrelated their lives.

sorrow, there was absolutely no sign

went being to, own





of it. hostages to former hostages, until,

They missed their men, I am



but with the passage of years, we were not

sure, on that day they were proud And, interestingly enough, so do I.

that their husbands and fathers had even that. That much has changed



the years is clear to me through

participated in such a noble cause, over at

All in this

even though at terrible cost. I was

least one marker. For many years,

opinions expressed

when I article are those of the author.

immensely thankful to Anita for spoke to groups about my

I often speaking to They do not necessarily reflect

making it possible for me to have experience, was





spent this brief time with those mag people who were teenagers or young the views of the CIA or any

nificent women and children. adults during the time of the hostage other US Government entity.









45