The American Agent: My Life In The CIA

Dick Holm joined the CIA in the 1960s and rose rapidly through the ranks to become Bureau Chief in Paris, eventually receiving the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA'a highest award.

The first posting in his eventful and action-packed career was to Laos, where he served in the CIA's 'secret war' against the Communists in the lead-up to the Vietnam War. He was then sent to the Congo and suffered near fatal injuries after a plane crash in remote jungle. After two painful years of recuperation he went to Hong Kong to run agents into China, then returned to CIA Headquarters to head the Counter-Terrorism Centre. He played a key part in the tracking down of Carlos the Jackal, and when he was posted to Paris as Bureau Chief he participated in the Jackal's arrest in the Sudan.