By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Retired Army Col. Stephen J. Meade distinguished himself during his 33 years in the service.

As part of the original Darby's Rangers in Scotland during World War II, he participated in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Because he was multi-lingual, he was loaned to the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) and CIA after the war to participate in early covert operations. He also accompanied CIA Director Allen W. Dulles on a diplomatic tour and served as liaison to the Shah of Iran.

A Cincinnati native who grew up in Fort Thomas, Mr. Meade died Wednesday at his home in Southern Pines, N.C. He was 91.

A graduate of Highlands High School, he attended the University of Cincinnati before joining the National Guard in 1929, when he was 16. He later transferred to the Army Cavalry.

After World War II, Mr. Meade was involved in some of the earliest covert CIA activities. According to a paper based on declassified documents written last year by Douglas Little, history professor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., Mr. Meade met secretly with Syrian Army Chief of Staff Col. Husni Zaim to discuss a military coup.

The Syrian government was stalling on granting permission for installation of a trans-Arabian oil pipeline. Zaim seized the government but was overthrown later.

Mr. Meade also served as a military attache in Beirut, Lebanon, and from 1957 to 1960 trained paratroopers in Taiwan.

After he retired from the Army in 1962, Mr. Meade became a financial adviser for Waddell and Reed Financial Services.

Survivors include his wife, Joan deGripenberg Meade; six daughters, Susan Hale Meade of Godfrey, Ill., Stephanie Meade Graves of Fort Thomas, Gai Meade Gainer of Cold Spring, and Melinda Meade-White, Molly Meade Thompson and Minty Meade, all of Charlotte, N.C.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and six stepchildren.

He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Memorials: Beverly Farm Foundation, 6301 Humbert Road, Godfrey, IL 62035.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com