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Torch Bearers 2021
Rear Admirial Samuel B. Frankel
FRANKEL, SAMUEL BENJAMIN (1905–1996) was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1929. He served on various warships in Nicaragua and in the Asiatic fleet between 1929 and 1936 before being sent to Riga, Latvia, to study Russian. During World War II, he was assistant naval attaché at the U.S. embassy in Moscow and later assistant naval attaché for air in Murmansk-Archangel until 1944. He was sent to Pearl Harbor in 1945 to serve on the staff of the commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and as officer in charge of the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Areas. In 1946 he served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Intelligence Division), assigned to the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington until 1948. He then served as naval attaché in Nanking, China. He remained in his post for a year after the Communist revolution before returning to the United States in 1950 to become director of the naval intelligence school. From 1953 to 1956 he was assistant head of naval intelligence in the Pacific fleet and was later a senior intelligence officer in the Navy Department in Washington, and promoted to rear admiral. In May 1960 Frankel became deputy director of naval intelligence and in the following year was appointed as DIA’s chief of staff, a post he retained until his retirement in 1964. Frankel was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his “exceptionally meritorious service” as assistant naval attaché in the USSR in 1941–42 for directing the repair and salvaging of damaged U.S. vessels and helping in the rescue and repatriation of survivors of sunken ships. For several years Frankel served on the board of the Tolstoy Foundation, a New York-based organization dedicated to assisting displaced persons of Russian origin. In 1972 he retired to California, where he lectured on China and Russia at San Diego State University’s Continuing Education Center.
William T. Lee
William T. Lee was an intelligence analyst who figured prominently in a debate over the assessment of the Soviet economy and the size, scope and cost of its military during the Cold War.
The dispute within the Intelligence Community and among defense policymakers centered on the methodology used to calculate how much the Soviet Politburo was spending on its military and the impact of those expenditures on its economy.
Mr. Lee and other analysts contended that the CIA, for whom he worked in the 1950s and early 1960s, consistently underestimated the military’s share of the gross national product for many years before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Mr. Lee began his career as a Soviet economic and military affairs analyst at the CIA in 1951. He was a senior analyst at the Stanford Research Institute from 1964 to 1972. With the latter organization, which at the time was a university- affiliated think tank with ties to Army nuclear missile programs, he helped produce intelligence reports forecasting Soviet and Chinese conventional and strategic weapons programs for the office of the Secretary of Defense.
For much of the 1970s, he was an independent consultant to private research organizations on contract to government agencies. He joined DIA in 1979 and was a member of the Senior Executive Service when he retired in 1992.
“Lee was a cantankerous yet thoroughly focused analyst,” said Derek Leebaert, a Georgetown University professor and author of “The Fifty-Year Wound: The True Price of America’s Cold War Victory.” “His objective was not to prove the essential wickedness or aggressiveness of the
Soviet system, but . . . just [to report] what was happening in both the Soviet Union’s military and its economy.”
He wrote six books, including “The ABM Treaty Charade: A Study in Elite Illusion and Delusion,” “CIA Estimates of Soviet Military Expenditures: Errors and Waste,” “Soviet Military Policy Since World War II” and “Soviet Defense Expenditures in an Era of SALT.”
His awards included the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal from the DIA. Bill died of cancer at his home in Alexandria on 23 October 2002.By Louie Estrada, Washington Post
The dispute within the Intelligence Community and among defense policymakers centered on the methodology used to calculate how much the Soviet Politburo was spending on its military and the impact of those expenditures on its economy.
Mr. Lee and other analysts contended that the CIA, for whom he worked in the 1950s and early 1960s, consistently underestimated the military’s share of the gross national product for many years before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Mr. Lee began his career as a Soviet economic and military affairs analyst at the CIA in 1951. He was a senior analyst at the Stanford Research Institute from 1964 to 1972. With the latter organization, which at the time was a university- affiliated think tank with ties to Army nuclear missile programs, he helped produce intelligence reports forecasting Soviet and Chinese conventional and strategic weapons programs for the office of the Secretary of Defense.
For much of the 1970s, he was an independent consultant to private research organizations on contract to government agencies. He joined DIA in 1979 and was a member of the Senior Executive Service when he retired in 1992.
“Lee was a cantankerous yet thoroughly focused analyst,” said Derek Leebaert, a Georgetown University professor and author of “The Fifty-Year Wound: The True Price of America’s Cold War Victory.” “His objective was not to prove the essential wickedness or aggressiveness of the
Soviet system, but . . . just [to report] what was happening in both the Soviet Union’s military and its economy.”
He wrote six books, including “The ABM Treaty Charade: A Study in Elite Illusion and Delusion,” “CIA Estimates of Soviet Military Expenditures: Errors and Waste,” “Soviet Military Policy Since World War II” and “Soviet Defense Expenditures in an Era of SALT.”
His awards included the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal from the DIA. Bill died of cancer at his home in Alexandria on 23 October 2002.By Louie Estrada, Washington Post
Cynthia M. Grabo
Cynthia M. Grabo was a former senior intelligence analyst for the Department of the Army and DIA. Ms. Grabo was born in Chicago, IL and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago. In 1942, she was recruited by Army Intelligence as an analyst on Latin America. In 1949, she transferred to the Soviet branch and was assigned to analysis of Communist military threats. From 1950 to 1975, she was a researcher and writer for the U.S. Watch Committee, the interagency intelligence committee responsible for warning of threats to the U.S. and its allies.
She subsequently served on the Intelligence Community’s Strategic Warning Staff. Ms. Grabo was a recognized authority in the field of strategic warning, and she wrote and lectured extensively on the subject in the Intelligence Community. Her work included a textbook for the training of analysts in the field. Originally classified, this work was condensed, declassified and reissued in 2004 under the title ‘Anticipating Surprise: Analysis for Strategic Warning.” She also wrote an article on intelligence indications and warning for Brassey’s International Military and Defense Encyclopedia (1993). Her awards included DIA’s Exceptional Civilian Service Medal, the Sherman Kent award for outstanding contribution to the literature of intelligence, and the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.
She subsequently served on the Intelligence Community’s Strategic Warning Staff. Ms. Grabo was a recognized authority in the field of strategic warning, and she wrote and lectured extensively on the subject in the Intelligence Community. Her work included a textbook for the training of analysts in the field. Originally classified, this work was condensed, declassified and reissued in 2004 under the title ‘Anticipating Surprise: Analysis for Strategic Warning.” She also wrote an article on intelligence indications and warning for Brassey’s International Military and Defense Encyclopedia (1993). Her awards included DIA’s Exceptional Civilian Service Medal, the Sherman Kent award for outstanding contribution to the literature of intelligence, and the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement.
Caleb L. (Cal) Temple
Cal was born in Bloomington, Indiana. At Bloomington High School North, he lettered in swimming and played alto saxophone in the Advanced High School Jazz Band. He was graduated Lieutenant Colonel Junior at Culver Military Summer Camp, Culver, Indiana. He graduated with two degrees from Miami University of Oxford, OH and a master’s degree from
George Washington University. A government employee with the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense, he started his career serving in the National Guard during the Gulf War. Through his 25 years of government service, he served as chief officer and senior leader in many departments within DOJ and DOD. A recipient of many decorations and honors, he was a mentor to many employees. He was a participant in seminar studies at University of Michigan and Harvard University. He was a member of the board of Miami University’s District of Columbia Alumnae Association. Cal also served as one of the DIA representatives to the DIAA.
George Washington University. A government employee with the Department of Justice and the Department of Defense, he started his career serving in the National Guard during the Gulf War. Through his 25 years of government service, he served as chief officer and senior leader in many departments within DOJ and DOD. A recipient of many decorations and honors, he was a mentor to many employees. He was a participant in seminar studies at University of Michigan and Harvard University. He was a member of the board of Miami University’s District of Columbia Alumnae Association. Cal also served as one of the DIA representatives to the DIAA.
Bonnie Weeks
Born in Washington D.C., she attended Holy Comforter grade school in the District and then LaReine High School in Suitland, Maryland. Ms. Weeks entered Federal Government Service in May 1970 as a summer intern working at the Naval Sea Systems Command. She remained with the Command until August 1978 when she resigned to become a stay-at-home mom.
Bonnie returned to the Federal Government in July 1988 for a position with DIA’s, Directorate for Attaches and Operations as a vehicle program manager. In October 1992, she became a program manager within that Directorate’s Office of Programs and Resources. She was a budget analyst and in 2005, moved to the office of Deputy Budget Execution, where she was promoted to GG15 as the Chief of Budget Execution for the Directorate of HUMINT Operations.
From April 2007, Ms. Weeks accepted a position of Supervisory Staff Officer in the Office of Logistics, but returned in February 2008, and remained there through the VISION 2020 transition. Bonnie retired from DIA in 2015.
Bonnie returned to the Federal Government in July 1988 for a position with DIA’s, Directorate for Attaches and Operations as a vehicle program manager. In October 1992, she became a program manager within that Directorate’s Office of Programs and Resources. She was a budget analyst and in 2005, moved to the office of Deputy Budget Execution, where she was promoted to GG15 as the Chief of Budget Execution for the Directorate of HUMINT Operations.
From April 2007, Ms. Weeks accepted a position of Supervisory Staff Officer in the Office of Logistics, but returned in February 2008, and remained there through the VISION 2020 transition. Bonnie retired from DIA in 2015.
Torch Bearers 2016
Torch Bearers 2015
Wanda Mikovch
The citation reads: Mrs. Wanda Mikovch demonstrated exceptional commitment to the DIA value of “Service” for over 45 years. She began her career as a secretary in DIA in 1967. She quickly developed a record of achievement in several positions, and then reached the single, highest position in her career field in 1981 as the Executive Assistant to the DIA Director. Mrs. Mikovch provided superior support and counsel to 10 different DIA directors, an unprecedented accomplishment in the Agency’s history. Her ability to adapt to the different leadership styles of each of the 10 directors aided their transitions, providing critical continuity for DIA. During these three decades and until her retirement in 2012, Mrs. Mikovch’s outstanding judgment, discretion, and professionalism greatly enhanced the effectiveness of every leader she served, which had a positive impact on business operations and mission success across the Agency and the Intelligence Community. Mrs. Mikovch’s vast knowledge of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, and the greater national Intelligence Community was an outstanding asset that was relied upon heavily by the director and deputy director. She served flawlessly as each director’s entrusted confidant and advisor on substantive intelligence, sensitive intelligence operations, complex personnel actions, and a plethora of challenging issues in the command element. Her poise and courage during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon remain an example for all, as does her sensitivity in assisting with the care and support for the impacted DIA families during the weeks and months that followed. Mrs. Mikovch is the sole Torchbearers honoree for 2015 and the first from a support position to receive this prestigious award. Mrs. Mikovch’s exemplary accomplishments, selfless service, and dedication to the mission reflect great credit upon herself, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the United States Department of Defense.
Torch Bearers 2014
Torch Bearers 2012
LTG Vernon A. Walters
Mr. Louis E.Andre, III
Ms.Barbara Streb
Mr. Gordon F. Negus
Mr. Richard C. Ladue
MG Homer D. Smith
Dr. Jack Verona
Mr. John T. Hughe