2015 Hall of Fame Honoree
William J. Daugherty, Ph.D., ’65
Dr. William Daugherty retired in 2011 from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia, where he taught courses in American government, foreign policy, national security, and four areas of constitutional law. Dr. Daugherty joined the AASU faculty in September 1996, after serving for more than 17 years in the Central Intelligence Agency as an operations officer.
During his CIA career, Dr. Daugherty served in operational assignments in the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Europe, specializing in counter terrorism. He subsequently served in staff and managerial assignments in Washington, D.C., as well as a tour as an instructor training junior officers in operational methods and techniques. His final assignment was in the area of covert action policy and included serving as a CIA liaison officer to the National Security Council staff. He was one of 53 American diplomats held hostage by Iranian militants while serving in the US Embassy in Tehran, Iran, 1979-81.
Dr. Daugherty received his high school diploma from the Oklahoma Military Academy in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps the following year. He served as an air traffic controller before acceptance to Officers Candidate School in 1969. Commissioned as a second lieutenant, he attended flight training and, after graduating with as a Naval Flight Officer, subsequently flew with several Marine Fighter-Attack squadrons as a weapons system officer in the F-4 Phantom II aircraft.
His service included a tour in Vietnam, with 76 missions over North and South Vietnam and Laos while his squadron was deployed on the USS America. He left active duty in 1974, and completed his Reserve obligation in 1986 with the rank of Major. Dr. Daugherty earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of California-Irvine and a doctorate in government from the Claremont Graduate School, with a specialization in the Constitutional Law of American Foreign Policy.
His publications include “Executive Secrets: Covert Action and the Presidency” (University Press of Kentucky, 2004) and “In the Shadow of the Ayatollah: A CIA Hostage in Iran” (US Naval Institute Press, 2001).
His media work includes consultant for Warner Brothers Studio on the movie “Argo;” consultant to and participant in the documentary treatment of “Our Man in Tehran: The True Story Behind the Secret Mission to Save Six Americans in the Iran Hostage Crisis and the Foreign Ambassador Who Worked with the CIA to Bring Them Home” and on-camera appearances for documentaries.
Dr. Daugherty’s honors and awards include: Department of State Medal of Valor (State’s highest), CIA Exceptional Service Medal, Foreign Service Association’s W. Averell Harriman Award, CIA Exceptional Performance Award (2), Claremont Colleges Man of the Year 1981; charter inductee into the Claremont Graduate School Hall of Fame; Intercollegiate Studies Institute Paolucci/Bagehot Award for best book, 2004; Distinguished Alumni Award, Oklahoma Military Academy Alumni Association 2009; Georgia State House of Representatives Resolution of Recognition and Commendation for 46 years of Public Service (HR 645-2013).