William Francis Buckley

For other people named William F. Buckley, see William F. Buckley (disambiguation).

William Francis Buckley
Birth nameWilliam Francis Buckley
Born(1928-05-30)May 30, 1928
Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedJune 3, 1985(1985-06-03) (aged 57)
Lebanon
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Service / branch United States Army
Central Intelligence Agency
Years of service1947–1965 (Army)
1965–1985 (CIA)
Rank Lieutenant Colonel (Army)
Paramilitary Operations Officer (CIA)
UnitU.S. Army

Central Intelligence Agency

Battles / warsKorean War
Vietnam War
AwardsSilver Star
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star with Valor device
Purple Heart (2)
Meritorious Service Medal
Combat Infantry Badge
Parachutist Badge
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Distinguished Intelligence Cross
Intelligence Star
Exceptional Service Medal
Alma materBoston University (BA)

William Francis Buckley (May 30, 1928 – June 3, 1985) was a United States Army officer in the United States Army Special Forces, and a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station chief in Beirut from 1984[1] until his kidnapping and execution in 1985.

Buckley's cover was as a political officer at the U.S. Embassy.[2][3] He was kidnapped by the group Islamic Jihad in March 1984, and held hostage and tortured by Aziz al-Abub. Hezbollah later claimed they executed him in October 1985, but another American hostage disputed that, believing that he died five months prior, in June.[4][5][6]

He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery and is commemorated with a star on the Memorial Wall at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.[7]

  1. ^ Binder, David (June 27, 1985). "Hostages in Lebanon: Israelis are guarded; another seven Americans held hostage in Lebanon". The New York Times. Vol. CXXXIV, no. 129. p. A10. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  2. ^ Thomas 1989.
  3. ^ Kushner 2003, p. 85-86, Buckley, William Francis (Entries A-Z).
  4. ^ "Former Hostage Says Buckley Died Five Months Before Date Given by Captors". The Associated Press (AP). December 2, 1986. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Thomas was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Trento was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt91 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).