Scope and Contents

The collection consists of approximately 1.5 linear feet of materials documenting George Swicker's service as a CIA training officer in Vung Tau and Saigon from 1965-1966. The materials include photographs, a photo album, a poem, a newspaper, an event program, Vietnamese documents, and pamphlets. Photograph subjects of note include the May 21, 1966 graduation ceremony for the first class of the Revolutionary Development Cadre (attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Cao Ky) and a military police academy graduation ceremony (attended by Colonel Charles Wesolowsky). Also documented are George Swicker's CIA colleagues including Red Winstead, Bob Ricker, Tom Matthews, and Dennis Gabriel, as well as Australian soldier Ernest Barrington (aka Ozzie Ostara).

Biographical / Historical

George Samuel Swicker was born on March 29, 1940 in Norwalk, OH. In 1958, he joined the USMC, where he served for four years including a tour of Vietnam. Following his military service, he joined the CIA as an Operations Officer in 1962. He returned to Vietnam and served as a CIA training officer in Vung Tau and Saigon from 1965-1966. He met and married fellow CIA officer Eileen. He spent 32 years with the CIA, serving as Chief of Station and in senior leadership positions at CIA Headquarters. He earned a BA and a Master's degree at George Washington University. After retiring from the CIA, he then worked for 18 years as a consultant to the CIA. He died November 1, 2025.