Jane Wallis Burrell was an American intelligence officer whose career spanned World War II and the early years of the Cold War. Born in 1911, she spent the 1930s studying in the United States, Canada, and France, while traveling extensively throughout Europe. After a period working as a housewife, she entered public service in 1943 by joining the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) as a clerk. Her aptitude for photographic analysis quickly earned her a commendation and a transfer to the newly formed X-2 Counter Espionage Branch.\n\nBurrell's wartime service took her to London in late 1943, and she subsequently accompanied the Sixth United States Army Group through France and Germany. Her counterintelligence operations, particularly her work managing double agents, played a significant role in deceiving German forces prior to the liberation of Brest, France. Following the Allied victory in Europe, she remained active in the field, tracking down and interrogating Nazi officials and recovering counterfeit gold currency.\n\nAs the American intelligence apparatus transitioned after the war, Burrell continued her service with the Strategic Services Unit and the Central Intelligence Group. Upon the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in September 1947, she was integrated into the new organization. Her career was tragically cut short in January 1948 when her plane crashed while she was returning to Paris from Belgium on official business. She is recognized as the first CIA officer to die in the line of service.
