Virginia’s knowledge of the French countryside, fluency in French & German, & moxie caught the attention of the British.
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Virginia was determined to return to France. SOE refused, as she was too well-known to the Gestapo. She was sent back to London.
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1944: Virginia joined
#OSS. Unable to parachute into France because of her artificial leg, she arrived by British torpedo boat.#OSS75pic.twitter.com/RzrRJ1LDxf
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To avoid detection, Virginia dyed her hair grey & disguised herself as a milkmaid with a shuffling gait to hide her limp.
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By staying on the move, camping in barns & attics, Virginia was able to avoid Germans who were desperately tracking her radio signals
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Virginia organized 1000s of French Maquis, blew up bridges, & conducted other sabotage operations to support Allies’ D-Day invasion.
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For her courage & ingenuity, Virginia was the only civilian woman during
#WWII to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.#OSS75pic.twitter.com/xcS0CLIitQ
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At CIA, Virginia used her covert action expertise in range of activities & in support of resistance groups in Iron Curtain countries.
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Virginia was one of a few relatively senior women in ops until her mandatory retirement in 1966 at age 60. http://1.usa.gov/1L2wUHw
#OSS75pic.twitter.com/MAE2TRTIhL
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For once a funny story from the CIA.
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SOE was not very smart indeed

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