DEFENSE

THE

INTELLIGENCE

AGENCY

MUSEUM


DIA’s mission is to provide intelligence 

on foreign militaries and their operating 

environments so the United States and its 

allies can prevent and decisively win wars. 

DIA serves everyone from the president to 

soldiers in combat through a combination of 

expert analysis, intelligence gathering, and 

cutting-edge science and technology. The DIA 

Museum provides a unique, declassified look 

at DIA’s roles that include exposing the truth, 

supporting operations, enabling diplomacy, 

and supporting every effort to safely return 

U.S. troops home.

MISSION DIA

4 | The DIA Museum
DEFENSE

THE

INTELLIGENCE

AGENCY

MUSEUM

Initiated in 2016 under the leadership of Lt. Gen. Vincent Stewart, 

and in close collaboration with Smithsonian Exhibits and Emmy 

Award-winning Interface Media Group, the DIA Museum was 

completed in 2020. Exceeding 10,000 square feet, the museum’s 44 

exhibits, dozens of artifacts, eight interactive displays, six missiles, 

mannequins and many videos convey six decades of DIA history, 

including its chartered missions in honor of its workforce. With 

compelling storytelling, the museum shows visitors about DIA’s 

global presence and how it shapes world history. Additionally, the 

museum’s Heritage Gallery takes visitors back to the founding of 

American military intelligence with George Washington, speaks 

to the successes of DIA’s predecessors — the Bureau of Military 

Information and the Office of Strategic Services — and shows how 

DIA formed from the bomber and missile gap controversies of 

the 1950s. With a better understanding of why DIA exists and the 

range of missions it fulfills, visitors will appreciate the Agency’s 

vital role in supporting national security. 

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LOWER LOBBY

GALLERY

The DIA Museum is designed around several themes, each addressing DIA’s key role in the Department 

of Defense and the Intelligence Community. These include: Exposing the Truth, Supporting Operations, 

Bringing Them Home, Enabling Diplomacy, and Staying Ahead Through Technology and Innovation. 

The museum also has three galleries and a Heritage Theater. The Patriots Gallery honors DIA’s patriots 

who died in the line of duty, the Heritage Gallery addresses DIA’s origins, and the Lower Lobby Gallery 

features the Torch Bearers Hall of Fame and other exhibits. 

EXPOSING

THE TRUTH

PATRIOTS

MEMORIAL

SUPPORTING

OPERATIONS

BRINGING

THEM HOME

HERITAGE

GALLERY

ENABLING 

DIPLOMACY

STAYING AHEAD 

THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY & 

INNOVATION

PG. 8 PG. 9 PG. 10 PG. 11 PG. 12 PG. 13 PG. 14 PG. 15

MUSEUM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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RESTROOMS

EXIT

FOOD

SEATING

Because the DIA Museum is thematic, visitors can start anywhere. But when entering the museum from the Creed Corridor, it is 

recommended that visitors begin their journey at Exposing the Truth. From Exposing the Truth, there is a natural flow through the 

rest of the exhibits.

For those seeking to purchase DIA gifts or memorabilia, a gift shop is available during business hours near the top of the ramp on 

the second floor. If visiting the museum using only a museum badge, an escort is required. 

The DIA Museum includes numerous 

interactive displays that expound on 

DIA’s missions and capabilities. You 

can find these at the video kiosks in 

each section. Take a few minutes to 

enjoy them.

INTERACTIVE

KIOSK

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EXPOSING

THE TRUTH

DIA’s foremost mission is to expose adversary intentions and capabilities to decision 

makers. Following overinflated assessments of Soviet bomber and missile capabilities 

by military services in the 1950s, DIA was established in 1961 to provide impartial, 

unified intelligence for the Department of Defense. This section provides visitors 

with several examples where exposure by DIA helped to secure the United States.

SOVIET MILITARY POWER

With Soviet military build-up in the late 1970s, DIA was called on to provide the 

world with an unclassified take on the threat. 

THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS

From driving the intelligence requirements to first notifying leadership, DIA led the 

way in exposing the Soviet introduction of nuclear missiles to Cuba.

DIA AND THE U-2 DRAGON LADY

Known to few, DIA played a vital role in one of the most significant surveillance 

programs in history. 

BRIEFING BOOK TO PRESIDENT JFK

The DIA Museum showcases the actual briefing book used in a nationally televised 

briefing with photographic proof that the Soviets had, in fact, removed their 

offensive strategic weapons systems from Cuba.

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PATRIOTS

MEMORIAL & GALLERY

The stories behind DIA’s patriots can be seen in the large interactive display in the 

Patriots Gallery. DIA lost its first teammate, Maj. Robert Perry, in Amman, Jordan, in 

1970. Since then, 26 others have fallen while serving in Syria, Iraq, Greece, Austria, 

Guatemala, the Pentagon and several other locations.

The mural at the Patriots Memorial, drawn by DIA’s own artist Patrick Dowden, is 

meant to represent and honor those who lost their lives while performing their 

duties in support of DIA missions. The mural is split into four areas: 

OPERATION BABYLIFT

DIA played a key role in evacuating children from Saigon, Vietnam. Tragically, 

the first Air Force plane carrying children crashed shortly after takeoff.

FOLDED GOLD STAR FLAGS

Honoring the Gold Star families.

THE PENTAGON

Remembering the DIA officers lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

THE SOLDIER’S CROSS AND BUGLE

Honoring the sacrifice of military service members.

DIA remembers and honors its fallen heroes through the Patriots Memorial and Gallery.

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LOWER

LOBBY GALLERY

The Lower Lobby, directly adjacent to the cafe, showcases seminal historic events 

and people who have made outsized contributions to DIA and the Nation. This area 

hosts two permanent and two rotating exhibits.

U.S. NAVY RENDERING OF THE USS SEA DOG

DIA was founded and led by an extraordinary group of military heroes. Among 

them were Lt. Gen. Sam Wilson and Vice Adm. Vernon Lowrance, who earned 

a combined five Silver Stars for valor in combat. The exhibit also displays DIA’s 

Office of Strategic Services Congressional Gold Medal.

FRANCIS GARY POWERS AND THE U-2 SHOOT DOWN

Shot down over the USSR just before DIA’s establishment, this rotating 

exhibit highlights the role this important Cold War event played in DIA’s 

eventual surveillance mission.

TORCH BEARERS HALL OF FAME

Coming in 2022, this exhibit will host the Torch Bearers Hall of Fame, 

highlighting some of DIA’s most influential personnel.

BERLIN WALL AND COLD WAR

This permanent display recognizes the strong relationship between the United 

States and the Federal Republic of Germany during the Cold War, and features 

several artifacts donated by Germany related to the Berlin Wall. 

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SUPPORTING

OPERATIONS

After 25 years of supporting operations, DIA became an official combat support agency 

in 1986. This section highlights the many facets of supporting operations, including 

document exploitation, interrogations, analysis, HUMINT, targeting and biometrics. 

From conventional support, as in Operation DESERT STORM, to special operations like 

the Abbottabad raid against Osama bin Laden, DIA has made a difference.

IRAQI PLAYING CARDS

Thinking outside the box, several DIA analysts ranked Iraqi leaders by level of importance 

and assigned them positions in a standard deck of 52 playing cards. In May 2003, the 

cards were released to U.S. troops with about 1,900 decks initially distributed. 

FEDAYEEN HELMET

Saddam Hussein’s most elite troops wore these striking helmets and quickly became 

targets for all coalition forces. As a result, many Fedayeen abandoned these helmets and 

U.S. forces found many discarded on the ground.

OSAMA BIN LADEN’S NOTEBOOK AND WILL

These February 2010 handwritten notes contain plans for executing future terrorist 

operations inside the United States. Bin Laden’s will details the disbursal of his $29 million 

fortune. Among his directives is a request for his family to spend funds on jihad in Sudan. 

TALIBAN HARD DRIVE

Captured hard drives like this one, taken from a Taliban safehouse, are exploited by DIA 

forensic experts and can provide a wealth of valuable intelligence on enemy organization, 

plans, contacts, etc. 

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BRINGING

THEM HOME

DIA’s involvement in the POW/MIA mission goes back to 1967 and the Vietnam 

War. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Intelligence Community POW/

MIA Analytic Cell was established with DIA as the executive agent. Today, DIA 

maintains its global POW/MIA intelligence support mission to ensure that 

military and civilian personnel are returned home.

PHOTO ALBUM OF “BARBARA”

Marine Corps 1st Lt. James Brinson created precise maps of the Son Tay prison camp and worked 

with a CIA model maker to develop a model, code-named “Barbara,” used during the planning 

and rehearsal operation. This photo album was produced after the model’s completion. 

SON TAY PRISON CAMP RAID PATCH

DIA compartmentalized intelligence for the Son Tay prison camp raid so no one would know 

too much of the plan. Mission members showed frustration with the secrecy by wearing a 

patch with a mushroom denoting: “Kept In The Dark, Fed Only Horse Sh--”.

JESSICA LYNCH RESCUE BAG

Pfc. Jessica Lynch, a POW during the Iraq War, was rescued with help from an Iraqi lawyer, who 

provided Lynch’s location and agreed to carry a hidden camera into the hospital where she was 

held. The hidden camera was placed inside a gym bag and used to gather vital intelligence on 

ingress/egress routes and prove she was still alive.

SPEICHER’S F-18 REMAINS

Where is Speicher? DIA led a nearly 20-year search for F-18 pilot and Navy Capt. Michael 

Speicher, the first casualty in Operation DESERT STORM. Wreckage from Speicher’s downed 

plane is displayed against Iraqi sand taken from the crash site in Iraq. 

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ENABLING

DIPLOMACY

DIA has a long history of diplomatic efforts. Supporting mutually beneficial endeavors 

and handling incidents abroad before they escalate have been core missions of DIA 

since its earliest days. One of the most effective ways DIA protects the Nation is by 

preventing war and conflicts, aiding our allies, and encouraging disarmament.

EP-3 AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE SKIN

An American EP-3 reconnaissance aircraft was on patrol over the South China Sea when 

a Chinese pilot, attempting to intimidate the American crew, flew too close and collided 

with the plane. The American plane was forced to land at a Chinese military base. This 

piece of the aircraft was eventually returned to the United States.

S S - 20 FRAGMENTS

A piece of destroyed SS-20 ballistic missile, produced in 1983 and destroyed in 1989 as part 

of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Many Americans working the negotiation 

and verification mission received a small piece of a destroyed SS-20 as a souvenir.

BRIG. GEN. SEALOCK’S NOTEBOOK

Brig. Gen. Neal Sealock used this notebook while serving as the defense attaché in 

Beijing. He took notes to record direct discussions with President George W. Bush, work 

out strategies, and track daily requirements during the EP-3 negotiations.

INTERMEDIATE-RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES TREATY

Analysts tasked with assessing Soviet compliance with the groundbreaking 1987 INF 

Treaty were given copies of the final agreement. 

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HERITAGE

GALLERY

Long before the establishment of DIA, the Nation relied on defense intelligence for 

its creation, in defense of its sovereignty, and to protect its citizens. DIA continues 

this long legacy of support. The gallery takes visitors through 250 years of defense 

intelligence and relates key moments in Agency history.

GEORGE WASHINGTON’S LETTERS

Original correspondence from George Washington during the American 

Revolutionary War to recruit and direct various spies in espionage operations 

against British forces.

U.S. EMBASSY MOSCOW TILE

A structural piece from the former U.S. Embassy building in Moscow, showing 

an electronic spying device inserted into the concrete structure. Ultimately, the 

Embassy was torn down and rebuilt to address this counterintelligence threat.

USS MONITOR TURRET SIGHT

Part of the gun turret sight mechanism from the USS Monitor, a Union ship that 

fought in the “Battle of the Ironclads” against the Confederate ship CSS Virginia 

during the American Civil War.

PENTAGON WALL FRAGMENT

A piece of limestone from the Pentagon building, recovered from the damaged 

section struck in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

14 | The DIA Museum
STAY AHEAD THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

DIA is a constantly evolving agency by necessity and design. Historically, DIA has 

been a technological innovator. DIA’s push to stay ahead involves adapting

new technologies, exploiting adversaries’ technology, and creating new 

technology. When clandestine use is required, DIA’s Office of Technical Operations 

camouflages sensors to blend into the environment.

SCUD MISSILE

The Soviet-produced SCUD missile was among the first major weapon systems analyzed 

by DIA when the Agency was established in 1961. The SCUD missile has proliferated to 

over 30 countries and remains a threat after more than 50 years in service.

FIND THE CAMERA CAR BUMPER

Designed to perfectly fit a 2003 Hyundai Accent, this car bumper was made to highlight 

DIA’s collection capabilities. Thanks to its large size, it can be fitted with a number of 

different sensors, including GPS antennas, transmitters and cameras.

HY-2 SILKWORM MISSILE

DIA exploitation of this missile provided invaluable insight into its range and 

accuracy, allowing countermeasures to be taken to protect shipping during the 

Tanker Wars in the 1980s. 

THE NIBBLER

DIA’s Nibbler was the first 3D-printed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance 

drone. The quadcopter’s simple design, including a motor, batteries and smartphone 

brain, keeps it small enough to allow for transport in a backpack. It can be configured 

to carry multiple sensors and communication payloads. The DIA Museum | 15 
“They run the risks; they bear the tensions; 

they serve in silence. They cannot fully be 

thanked in public, but I want them to know 

that their job is vital and that the American 

people, and their president, are profoundly 

grateful for what they do.”

- Ronald Reagan, December 1981

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Be part of the mission.

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DIA.mil

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