Plaque Naming President Kennedy Honorary Special Agent of the FBI
Artifact IDMO 63.4204
Object Type
Plaque
Date
1962
Gifter
J. Edgar Hoover
Medium
Wood; brass
DimensionsOverall H 7 1/4 in x W 5 1/2 in x D 2 1/2 in (18.4 cm x 14 cm x 6.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionRectangular wood plaque with brass plate engraved "John F. Kennedy, Honorary Special Agent of the FBI, October 31, 1962". Above brass plate is a brass FBI badge flanked by laurel leaves and a brass ribbon engraved with the motto: Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity.
Historical NoteThis plaque was given to President Kennedy by J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI in 1962. The relationship between President John F. Kennedy and J. Edgar Hoover, the long-serving Director of the FBI, was tense and complex, marked by suspicion and conflicting priorities. Kennedy, and particularly his Attorney General brother, Robert F. Kennedy, sought to shift the FBI's focus away from its extensive domestic surveillance operations (especially those targeting suspected communist subversives) towards tackling organized crime. Hoover, however, had built his career and the agency's reputation on anti-communism and showed resistance to this change.
Attorney General Robert Kennedy, as Hoover's nominal boss, found himself clashing frequently with the powerful and entrenched Director. Hoover's long tenure (nearly 50 years, serving eight Presidents) and vast intelligence holdings gave him significant leverage. Hoover's secret files, including compromising information on public officials, are believed to have granted him influence beyond his official position.
Additional DetailsAttorney General Robert Kennedy, as Hoover's nominal boss, found himself clashing frequently with the powerful and entrenched Director. Hoover's long tenure (nearly 50 years, serving eight Presidents) and vast intelligence holdings gave him significant leverage. Hoover's secret files, including compromising information on public officials, are believed to have granted him influence beyond his official position.
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI to the President Kennedy received by the Executive Office of the President betwen 1961-1963 and held by the General Service Administration until it was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view