From 1939 to 1983, Mom was OSS (an American spy). Dad was a Colonel in the Resistance (Legion of Honor winner) so he was a French spy.

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Written by robertfentongary

Mom was a US Army Red Cross ambulance driver working on the battlefield in France. Dad was working to obey Churchill’s order “Set Europe Ablaze”.

They married in Grass a town in Provence in 1945. I was born after Mom returned to NYC in 1947.

She talked to an old friend about what to do. He said “Go ahead and have the child, it will be OK”.

He held me during my baptism at St. James Church on Madison Avenue in November 1947.

He was a very devout Baptist and totally pro life, not at all pro choice.

So, religion is the reason I was born, plus some very good luck that the Saint and Mom were not killed in the late 20’s early 30’s when they did barnstorming together in small bi-planes.

This entailed actually flying through barns. It was a tricky business and called for nerves of steel, and a love of aviator skill.

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  1. Mom worked for General Donovan’s OSS till 1983.

    Her portfolio was —

    White Russian Emigres in NYC
    UN people
    Diamond people
    Telephone Executives
    Artists and Musicians

    She could recall conversations word for word, weeks later.

    She gave large parties at Townsend House (123 E. 70th) and moved freely among the guests. She reported to an office on Washington Square West. She was a source not an agent. CIA did not tell her what to do. They just took her reports.

    She was a patriot, like the women who ferried planes in WW II.

    She also collected art — Hans Hofmann, Paul Klee, Joan Miro, etc.

    She loved “modern” art — abstract expressionist art.

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