"It was sort of a father-son relationship, which I will always treasure. (Audio Interview, Part 1, 3:17)

Edwin J. Putzell, Jr.

War: World War, 1939-1945 Branch: Navy Unit: Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Service Location: United States; European Theater Rank: Lieutenant Place of Birth: Birmingham, AL

Even before he graduated from law school, Edwin Putzell, on a bet with a friend, proved he could land a job with a prestigious Wall Street firm. And not just any law firm, but one headed by legendary World War I hero William (Wild Bill) Donovan. Putzell's job served him well during the Second World War, when President Roosevelt picked Donovan to head up a new intelligence agency which became the OSS, and Donovan picked Putzell to be his right-hand man. The two followed Allied advances through Sicily and Italy, then moved on to the China-Burma-India Theater, devising ingenious ways to confuse the enemy and to learn of his plans.