George Hocker’s remarkable journey as a Black spy, amid the tumultuous civil rights era, remained largely untold until recently. In an exclusive interview with the CIA and NBC News, the 84-year-old recounted his daring exploits serving in the nation’s clandestine service, where he undertook high-stakes missions across the globe.
George Hocker’s upbringing.
Born in 1939 and raised in Washington, D.C., George grew up during a period of deep racial segregation. It wasn’t until 1953, under President Eisenhower, that the nation’s capital began desegregating, setting an example for other cities. As the eldest of five siblings, George was a natural role model, guided by his parents’ teachings of responding to prejudice with integrity and prioritizing education.
Enrolling at Howard University in 1956, George’s path took an unexpected turn when a close friend encouraged him to apply to the CIA. Despite being just 18 years old and lacking work experience, George listed family friends from church as references on his application. His bold move paid off when he joined the Agency in 1957, becoming one of the few Black officers at the time, alongside trailblazers like Don Cryer and Omego Ware.
Training to become a CIA spy was a rigorous ordeal for George, set against the backdrop of segregated America. Unable to attend certain establishments in Virginia due to racial segregation, specialized exercises had to be developed for his training.
“I had to have car meetings, whereas my classmates could go and have a nice meal in a restaurant,” he told NBC News during a recent interview.
Within a class of 75 recruits, George stood out as the lone Black participant. Despite these challenges, he successfully completed the training and went on to make history as one of the CIA’s earliest Black clandestine officers.
A look at his daring missions.
Upon entering the CIA, George confronted an organization predominantly composed of white officers…
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