Henry Giordano

Henry Luke Giordano (June 10, 1914 – September 19, 2003) was an American pharmacist and federal agent who served as the second and last Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, from 1962 to 1968.

Henry Giordano
Giordano in 1962
2nd Commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics
In office
August 17, 1962 – April 8, 1968
PresidentJohn F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Preceded byHarry J. Anslinger
Succeeded byJohn Ingersoll
as Director of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
Personal details
Born(1914-06-10)June 10, 1914
San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 19, 2003(2003-09-19) (aged 89)
Olney, Maryland, U.S.
SpouseElaine Watson
Children2
EducationUniversity of California, San Francisco
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Coast Guard
Years of service1943-46
RankSpecialist Petty Officer 1st Class
UnitCoast Guard Intelligence
Battles/warsWorld War II

Early life and education

Henry Luke Giordano was born on June 10, 1914, in San Francisco. In 1934, he graduated from the UCSF School of Pharmacy with a graduate degree, and then worked as a pharmacist from 1935 to 1941.[1]

Bureau of Narcotics

In 1941, Giordano joined the Bureau of Narcotics, where he worked until 1943,[2] at which point he joined the United States Coast Guard.[3]

Released from the Coast Guard in 1946 with a rank of SPX1 (Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class), Giordano returned to the Bureau, where he often worked undercover. He became the deputy commissioner in 1958.[1]

Commissioner

Giordano was sworn in as Commissioner by C. Douglas Dillon, the Secretary of the Treasury, on August 17, 1962, thus officially entering into his duties.[4] He was named as head of the Bureau on July 5, 1962.[5]

Like his predecessor, Harry J. Anslinger, Giordano supported tough penalties for addicts;[6][7] unlike Anslinger, who led the Bureau for decades, Giordano's term was significantly shorter. In February 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson requested that the Congress merge the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.[8]

Both the House and the Senate agreed.[9] The plan took effect in early April, and the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs was thus formed. Giordano was replaced by John Ingersoll, as director of the new bureau, later that year.[10]

Personal life

Giordano was married to Elaine Watson, and had two daughters.[11]

Later life

Giordano returned to the pharmaceutical industry; this time working as a consultant in security.[3] He moved to Silver Spring, Maryland; and died in nearby Olney, Maryland in September 2003.[11]

References
  1. "Tough Narcotics Chief; Henry Luke Giordano". The New York Times. July 9, 1962. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  2. "AWARDS GIVEN TO MED CENTER MEN". Synapse. May 28, 1965. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  3. Sullivan, Patricia (October 7, 2003). "Henry L. Giordano Dies". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  4. "Dillon Swears In Giordano As Narcotics Bureau Head". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 18, 1962. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  5. "Narcotics Commissioner Named". The New York Times. July 6, 1962. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  6. Phillips, Cabell (July 9, 1962). "NARCOTICS POLICY DIVIDES OFFICIALS; Bureau's New Chief Backs Anslinger on Penalties". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  7. "Chief of Narcotics Terms Penalties Inadequate; Giordano Supports New Bill With Stiffer Punishment". The New York Times. February 28, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  8. "Johnson Widens Narcotics Fight; Merges Two Agencies for Curb on Dangerous Drugs". The New York Times. February 8, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. "House Accepts Plan to Merge Drug Units". The New York Times. April 3, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  10. "Ex-Police Chief Heads New U.S. Drug Bureau". The New York Times. July 13, 1968. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  11. Saxon, Wolfgang (October 10, 2003). "Henry Giordano, 89, Head Of Narcotics Bureau in 60's". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
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