Then-President Jimmy Carter (right) congratulates CIA officer Tony Mendez (left) on his successful Argo operation during Iran Hostage Crisis, 1980. Central Intelligence Agency.
All warfare is based on deception.” — Sun Tzu, “The Art of War”.
Tony Mendez was a master of disguise and deception, whose innovative techniques and daring operations left an indelible mark on the world of espionage. As the former Chief of Disguise and Chief of the Graphics and Authentication Division in the CIA’s Office of Technical Service, Mendez played a pivotal role in some of the most audacious and successful covert missions in CIA history.
Antonio Joseph Mendez, known as Tony Mendez, was born on November 15, 1940, in Eureka, Nevada. His father, John George Mendez, was of Mexican descent, and his mother, Neva June Tognoni, had Italian and French ancestry. Tony’s father passed away when he was young, and his family later moved to Colorado, where he attended Englewood High School. He went on to study art at the University of Colorado.
Career at the CIA
Tony joined the CIA in 1965 after responding to a blind advertisement for a graphic artist. He was hired as an espionage artist for the Technical Services Division, where he specialized in identity document forgery and creating disguises. Over his 25-year career, Tony worked in various regions, including South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
During his tenure at the CIA, Tony served as the Chief of Disguise and the Chief of the Graphics and Authentication Division in the Office of Technical Service. In these roles, he was responsible for developing innovative disguise techniques and creating false identities for covert operations.
Tony’s wife, Jonna Mendez. was also a distinguished CIA officer. The two met while working at the CIA and shared a deep bond over their passion for espionage and disguise. Jonna also served as the Chief of Disguise later in her career. She was renowned for her expertise in disguise and deception, and she even briefed President George H.W. Bush on the agency’s new mask technology while in disguise herself. Together, they formed a formidable team, contributing significantly to the agency’s covert operations. Their partnership extended beyond their professional lives, as they co-authored books and shared their experiences with the public after retiring from the CIA.
Notable Operations
Cold War Espionage: During the Cold War, Tony was instrumental in developing and implementing various espionage techniques to gather intelligence on Soviet activities. He created sophisticated disguises and false identities for CIA officers operating behind the Iron Curtain, allowing them to conduct covert operations without detection.
Soviet Defector Exfiltration: Tony played a crucial role in the exfiltration of a high-ranking Soviet intelligence officer who had defected to the United States. This operation required meticulous planning and the use of advanced disguise techniques to ensure the defector’s safe passage out of the Soviet Union.
The Canadian Caper: Tony is best known for his role in the “Canadian Caper,” a daring rescue mission during the Iran hostage crisis. In 1980, he traveled to Iran to exfiltrate six American diplomats who had taken refuge at the Canadian embassy after the U.S. embassy was overrun. Tony devised a plan to have the diplomats pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a fake sci-fi movie called “Argo.” With the help of the Canadian government, the diplomats were able to escape Iran safely.
Rescue of American Hostages in Southeast Asia: Tony was involved in a covert operation to rescue American hostages held by a militant group in Southeast Asia. His expertise in disguise and deception was critical in planning and executing the mission, which ultimately led to the successful rescue of the hostages.
Support for Covert Operations in the Middle East: Throughout his career, Tony provided support for numerous covert operations in the Middle East. His work included creating false documents, developing disguises, and devising escape plans for CIA officers and assets operating in hostile environments.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from the CIA in 1990, Tony continued to work as an artist and authored four memoirs about his experiences in the agency. He received numerous awards for his work, including the Intelligence Star and the CIA Trailblazer Award. His story was brought to the big screen in the 2012 film “Argo,” directed by and starring Ben Affleck.
Tony Mendez passed away on January 19, 2019, in Frederick, Maryland, after battling Parkinson’s disease.
Resources
Central Intelligence Agency
CIA.gov
International Spy Museum
SpyMuseum.org