Edward Lansdale

Edward Geary Lansdale (1908-1987) was an American Air Force General tied to anti-Communist efforts during the Cold War. Lansdale's first success was helping Philippine military General Ramon Magsaysay repel the Communist insurgency in the Philippines known as the Huk Rebellion from 1942-1954. Lansdale was connected to intelligence and did work for the CIA including work on psychological operations and counterinsurgency. In 1954, Lansdale was assigned to help counter the Communist insurgency in Vietnam, and worked closely with Ngo Dinh Diem until Diem's assassination in November 1963. Lansdale was appointed by President John F. Kennedy as the head of what was called the 'Special Group' which was tasked with creating an effective insurgency against Fidel Castro in Cuba. Part of this operation was known as "Operation Mongoose."

Bibliography:

• In the Midst of Wars, 1972, Harper and Row, 386p.