Pep alum Darwin Horn’s book recounts memorable moments and tales of terror
By J. Douglas Stevens
Staff Writer
“One learns very quickly in this business to expect the unexpected.” These were the words of retired Secret Service agent and Pepperdine alum Darwin Horn, who, long before Alqueda and Taliban were part of our everyday vocabulary, experienced a taste of terror in the Middle East.
April, 1974. Horn is assigned to the physical protection team to travel with then Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger as he toured capital cities in the Middle East. After a conference with Anwar Sadat in Cairo, Kissinger and his team of agents returned to the King David Hotel in Jeruselum to a frightening discovery. Israeli police had located several Russian-made rocket launchers aimed directly at Kissinger’s suite less than a half mile away. Horn and the other agents quickly made different lodging arrangements and Kissinger was safely transported. Though terror was quelled temporarily, that incident was a foreshadowing of the events of Sept. 11th.
Horn worked closely with United Nations officials on occasion, and he spoke candidly on the current situation in Iraq. “The UN must take on a large part of the responsibility in dealing with Iraq, but they cannot go at it alone,” Horn said in a serious yet hopeful tone, “The United States has the funds and the personnel available. It’s got to be a joint effort.”
A good team effort requires excellent communication, something Horn said is lacking among government agencies. The Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency all serve to protect the country in some capacity, so one would think that the lines of communication are constantly open. Not always.
“They work together somewhat, but not well enough, especially the bureau,” said Horn. “When Hoover was in charge I think he really wouldn’t let them cooperate as much as they should.”
This lack of cooperation is also evident within the organization itself. In 2001, before Sept. 11, a memo was sent to FBI headquarters from an agent in Phoenix. The memo requested that an investigation be conducted on some Middle Eastern men enrolled in U.S. flight schools, specifically one who repeatedly contacted one of the hijackers. The memo was ignored. Had it been taken seriously, some speculate the attacks may have been prevented. At this Horn simply shakes his head.
During his 30 plus years with the Secret Service, Horn was assigned to physically protect eight U.S. presidents and knows the art of prevention all too well. Oftentimes he would be part of the advance group, a handful of agents sent ahead to ensure a clear path; whether that be down the road a few blocks or the next city the president would be visiting. “From the moment the president arrives to moment of his departure, every minute must be accounted for,” said Horn, “what he’s doing to do, where he’s going to be, and with whom he will be.”
But the Secret Service was not always in the business of protecting the president. It was not until the morning after John F. Kennedy’s assassination that President Lyndon B. Johnson declared that the Secret Service would protect all major candidates for the presidency and vice presidency. Kennedy had had three bodyguards at the time he was shot, but not one had any professional training or experience.
“If (Kennedy) would’ve had one or two professional people he probably would’ve survived,” Horn said.
Horn points out that the FBI knew of Kennedy’s killer beforehand. Oswald had reapplied for U.S. citizenship after living in Russia and the bureau had record of his request. But no investigation was conducted, and his citizenship was granted without question.
Horn only served President Kennedy on three or four occasions, but his work with President Dwight D. Eisenhower was much more extensive. He was able to get to know the president on a casual level since he was part of an eight-man team assigned to protect him around the clock.
“Ike was a very serious person and very staff oriented,” Horn said, “He was strictly a staff man and you could see that when he was head of state and when he was in charge of the European Theatre of Operations in World War II. He ran the presidency much the same way… gave a lot of authority to his people whom he had chosen and righteously he gave them the authority to act.”
In August 1954, Horn was transferred to the Washington, D.C., field office. What sounded like a promotion was actually just a change of location, and not for the better according to Darwin.
“(It was a) terrible place to work,” said Horn, “we had cases to work, but didn’t have time to work them.” Horn attributed that to the needs of the president, which always come first. Whenever Eisenhower had an appointment or a concern, or if the White House needed assistance for any reason, the Washington field agents would be called.
At the time Horn was in the Secret Service, the majority of their high profile cases were counterfeiting. When Darwin was not protecting the president he was hunting down bogus notes. His first case ended in the arrest of Fred Taylor, a dim witted counterfeiter that basically told on himself. According to Horn, When Taylor went to purchase the necessary ink, he held up a dollar bill and asked, “how close can you come to this?” The storeowner sold the man a bottle of forest green ink and then promptly called the Secret Service to report the suspicious request. When Horn and his team finally located Taylor’s apartment, it was Horn himself who discovered the negatives of $20 bills in his phonebook.
All of Horn’s memorable experiences with Secret Service are told in detail in his book, “Dar’s Story: Memoirs of a Secret Service Agent.” Horn tells his story in journal form, breaking down his career year by year. So far the book is a success according to Horn. He had originally planned to print only 100 copies for close friends and family. But when he learned what the price would be he reconsidered. In order to get his money’s worth, Darwin chose to have 3,000 copies printed. With already more than 1,000 sold, he is pleased with his decision.
In addition to friends, family, and former coworkers, Darwin is feeling the support of his alma mater, Pepperdine University.
“I have done four book signings at the university and each time I was overwhelmed by the love and support” Horn said.
And Pepperdine has good reason to love Horn. The one and only football championship banner that hangs in Firestone Fieldhouse was earned in part by Darwin in 1947, the first year that the Waves competed on the gridiron. When Horn graduated from Pepperdine in 1949, it had yet to achieve university status. He says he still refers to the Malibu campus as ‘Pepperdine College’.
Horn left Pepperdine not only with the skills needed to be a successful Secret Agent, but also with the woman who helped make his career possible.
“It is so important to marry the right woman in this business,” said Horn.
Shirley Ann McBride was that woman. They met in the administration building while waiting in line to register for classes. They were married on Valentine’s Day, 1950, in Inglewood, Calif.
Horn and his wife have two children, Diane and Darwin, Jr., along with six grandchildren. Horn thinks the world of his grandkids, as all grandparents do. “They’re just the smartest kids in the world,” he said with a smile, “and I mean that.”
The contrast of his powerful 6’ 3” frame and gentle spirit makes Darwin a captivating character. His unique name and recognizable face made him a prime candidate for public speaking on behalf of the Secret Service, and even now in his retirement. Today, he is president of the South Bay Professional Speakers Bureau. Horn also started his own publishing company after writing his book. In addition, he runs his own private investigation business.
Horn’s remarkable career allowed him to experience the world in a way that only a handful of fortunate people are able to do. The opportunities offered by an organization like the Secret Service are endless.
“There are so many governmental agencies who are looking for good people who will work hard, day after day after day for 20 years and then they say ‘thank you’ and give you a nice retirement and you’re made for life.”
—If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of “Dar’s Story: Memoirs of a Secret Service Agent”, visit his website www.darwinhorn.com, or contact him via e-mail dar@darwinhorn.com or parcel post 38 chuckwagon rd., rolling hills, ca 90274
November 14, 2002