Stephen J. Meade – Colonel, United States Army

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Colonel Stephen J. Meade, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, formerly of Fort Thomas, died Wednesday at his residence.

His military career began in 1929. During World War II, he participated in the invasion of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and worked with the Central Intelligence Agency and the Office of Strategic Services for covert missions. After the war, he served as a military attaché in Beirut, Lebanon and later served as a liaison to the Shah of Iran.

After retiring from the military, he was a financial adviser for Waddell and Reed.

Survivors include his wife, Joan de Gripenberg Meade; daughters, Susan Hale Meade of Godfrey, Illinois, Stephanie Meade Graves of Fort Thomas, Gai Meade Gainer of Cold Spring, Melinda Meade-White, Molly Meade Thompson and Minty Meade all of Charlotte, North Carolina; six step-children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 9 a.m. July 8 at Fort Myer Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery, Wash. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Beverly Farm Foundation, 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey, Illinois 62035.

Cincinnati native fought in WWII, worked for CIA

Retired Army Colonel Stephen J. Meade distinguished himself during his 33 years in the service.

As part of the original Darby’s Rangers in Scotland during World War II, he participated in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Because he was multi-lingual, he was loaned to the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and CIA after the war to participate in early covert operations. He also accompanied CIA Director Allen W. Dulles on a diplomatic tour and served as liaison to the Shah of Iran.

A Cincinnati native who grew up in Fort Thomas, Mr. Meade died Wednesday at his home in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He was 91.

A graduate of Highlands High School, he attended the University of Cincinnati before joining the National Guard in 1929, when he was 16. He later transferred to the Army Cavalry.

After World War II, Colonel Meade was involved in some of the earliest covert CIA activities. According to a paper based on declassified documents written last year by Douglas Little, history professor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., Mr. Meade met secretly with Syrian Army Chief of Staff Col. Husni Zaim to discuss a military coup.

The Syrian government was stalling on granting permission for installation of a trans-Arabian oil pipeline. Zaim seized the government but was overthrown later.

Colonel Meade also served as a military attache in Beirut, Lebanon, and from 1957 to 1960 trained paratroopers in Taiwan.

After he retired from the Army in 1962, Colonel Meade became a financial adviser for Waddell and Reed Financial Services.

Survivors include his wife, Joan deGripenberg Meade; six daughters, Susan Hale Meade of Godfrey, Illinois, Stephanie Meade Graves of Fort Thomas, Gai Meade Gainer of Cold Spring, and Melinda Meade-White, Molly Meade Thompson and Minty Meade, all of Charlotte, North Carolina; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and six stepchildren.

He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials: Beverly Farm Foundation, 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey, Illinois 62035.

MEADE, STEPHEN J

  • COL   US ARMY
  • WORLD WAR II
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/11/1913
  • DATE OF DEATH: 05/19/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 3803
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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