Edward B. Johnson, a former CIA officer who played a pivotal role in the daring rescue of six American diplomats during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, has passed away at the age of 81. Johnson's death occurred on August 27, 2024, due to pneumonia, as confirmed by the CIA.
For decades, Johnson's identity remained concealed from the public, known only by the pseudonym "Julio." His involvement in the covert operation, dubbed the "Canadian Caper," came to light in 2023 when the CIA revealed his identity through their podcast, "The Langley Files."
Born on July 29, 1943, in Brooklyn, Johnson's path to the CIA began after serving as an Army infantryman. His linguistic skills, including French, Spanish, and Arabic, proved invaluable in his clandestine career. Johnson's expertise in covert operations was honed during the Cold War, though specific details of his work remain classified.
The Iran hostage crisis erupted on November 4, 1979, when Islamist students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. While 52 Americans were held captive for 444 days, six embassy staff managed to escape, finding refuge at the residence of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor.
Johnson and fellow CIA officer Tony Mendez were tasked with extracting the six diplomats. Their ingenious plan involved posing as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a fictitious science fiction movie titled "Argo."
"Working with the six — these are rookies. They were people who were not trained to lie to authorities. They weren't trained to be clandestine, elusive."
On January 25, 1980, Johnson and Mendez arrived in Tehran, facing immediate challenges. Neither spoke Farsi, a deliberate choice to avoid suspicion. In a twist of fate, they received directions from a revolutionary student who spoke German, highlighting the operation's precarious nature.
The CIA officers provided the diplomats with elaborate cover stories, props, and training to convincingly portray a film crew. Johnson's role was crucial in boosting the group's confidence and preparing them for the high-stakes deception.
"The biggest thing I think we did was to was to convince them that you can, you can do it — as simple as that."
On January 28, 1980, the team successfully boarded a Swissair flight out of Tehran, marking the operation's triumphant conclusion. For their valor, both Johnson and Mendez received the CIA's Intelligence Star, the agency's second-highest honor.
The "Canadian Caper" gained renewed attention with the 2012 film "Argo," directed by and starring Ben Affleck. However, the movie omitted Johnson's crucial role in the operation.
Johnson retired from the CIA in 1995, leaving behind a legacy of courage and ingenuity. He is survived by his wife Aileen, whom he met while studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, along with five children and nine grandchildren.
The revelation of Johnson's identity sheds light on the often unsung heroes of the intelligence community, whose actions shape history from the shadows. His contribution to the "Canadian Caper" stands as a testament to the power of human resourcefulness and bravery in the face of extraordinary circumstances.