McCone, John A. (John Alex), 1902-1991

Title:

McCone, John A. (John Alex), 1902-1991

Description:

Bio: John A. McCone (1902-1991) was a graduate from the College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, in 1922. He began his long career as a riveter and boiler-maker for the Llewellen Iron Works in Los Angeles. He eventually became superintendent of this company. In 1937, after holding various executive positions with Consolidated Steel Corporation, he organized his own firm, Bechtel-McCone, a major designer and producer of petroleum refineries and power plants throughout the United States and other parts of the world. McCone saw his first federal government service as a member of President Truman''s Air Policy Commission in 1947. His work on this commission focused on military aspects of air policy. In 1948 he served as a special deputy to Secretary of Defense James Forrestal and in 1950 and 1951 held the post of Under Secretary of the Air Force. In 1958 McCone accepted the chairmanship of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). McCone regularly attended National Security Council and Cabinet meetings. In 1961 President John F. Kennedy picked him as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a post which he held until 1965 when he returned to private business.

Source:

C.I.A. Director John McCone, President Lyndon B. Johnson. Oval Office, White House, Washington DC, 8/19/1965. Photo # a1113-8 by Yoichi Okamoto. White House Photo Office collection, LBJ Presidential Library. Public domain.

Relation:

LBJ Connection: Director of Central Intelligence, 1961-1965