E. Henry Knoche | |
|---|---|
 | |
| ActingDirector of Central Intelligence | |
| In office January 20, 1977 – March 9, 1977 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | George H. W. Bush |
| Succeeded by | Stansfield Turner |
| 11thDeputy Director of Central Intelligence | |
| In office July 7, 1976 – August 1, 1977 | |
| President | Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Vernon A. Walters |
| Succeeded by | John F. Blake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Enno Henry Knoche January 14, 1925 |
| Died | July 9, 2010(2010-07-09) (aged 85) |
| Alma mater | Washington & Jefferson College |
| Awards |  President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service (1977) |
Enno Henry Knoche (January 14, 1925 – July 9, 2010), known colloquially as 'Hank,' was an American intelligence officer who served as deputy director of theCentral Intelligence Agency and actingDirector of Central Intelligence.[1]
Knoche attendedMt. Lebanon School District, where he played basketball and tennis, winning aWestern Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League doubles championship.[2] In 1942, he enrolled inWashington & Jefferson College, playing baseball and the freshman basketball team. He then enlisted in theUnited States Navy to serve inWorld War II in 1943.[2] Later, he attendedBethany College, again playing basketball and leading the team in scoring.[2] He then attendedUniversity of Colorado Boulder, where he led his basketball team to the1946 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and played baseball.[2] Following his discharge from the military, he returned to W&J to complete his degree, graduating in 1947.[2] He then played for 2 years in the professionalNational Industrial Basketball League, leading his team in scoring both years.[2] He was drafted by the failingPittsburgh Ironmen in the1947 BAA Draft.[3][nb 1] When his contract was then sold to theNew York Knicks, Knoche demanded $2,500 (equivalent to $35,200 in 2024) to play for the team, a demand that was not met.[3][4]
He served in theUnited States Navy as a Navy intelligence officer, inWorld War II, and theKorean War.[4] He became a lieutenant.
He joined the CIA in 1953 as an analyst; he was fluent in Russian and theFuzhou dialect.[4] During theCuban Missile Crisis, he briefed PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.[4] Even though he lacked the typical CIA resume, as having never served in operational capacity or in theclandestine operations, he was steadily promoted through the agency's ranks.[4] On July 7, 1976 he became deputy director, serving under directorGeorge H. W. Bush.[4] In that position, he was responsible for day-to-day agency operations.[4]
On January 12, 1977, he was honored as a recipient of thePresident's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service. Presentation of the award was made in the East Room of the White House by Vice PresidentNelson Rockefeller.[5]
Upon Bush's resignation from the CIA with the inauguration of PresidentJimmy Carter on January 20, 1977, Knoche became acting director.[4] That day, he briefed Carter on the agency's ongoing clandestine operations.[4] On January 21, 1977, he met with the president and delivered photo intelligence fromAerospace Data Facility-East.[6] His term as acting director ended whenStansfield Turner was confirmed as director of the CIA on March 9, 1977.[4]
Knoche retired on August 1, 1977. He was awarded the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service.[4]
He married Angie Papoulas in 1947; they had five sons.[4]
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