Ernest Cuneo (1906-1988), lawyer, newspaperman, author, and intelligence liaison, was born in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Some soureces cite his birth year as 1905). His first newspaper experience was as editor of the school newspaper at East Rutherford High School and a stringer for the Passauc Daily News. He was also a star athlete in high school and later played football at Columbia University and for a professional team in Brooklyn. During college vacations he worked for the New York Daily News. After he graduated from law school, Cuneo became law secretary to Fiorello LaGuardia, then a congressman from New York. In this capacity, he was involved in briefing LaGuardia for the Seabury investigation of judicial malpractice and in the investigation of fraudulent bankruptcies. In 1936, James Farley appointed Cuneo associate general counsel of the Democratic National Committee. When World War II began, General William Donovan, head of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), appointed Cuneo liaison officer between the OSS, British Intelligence, the FBI, the Department of State, and the White House. While working with Donovan and head of British Intelligence, Sir William Stephenson, Cuneo became acquainted with Stephenson's aide, Ian Fleming. A close friendship developed between the two men. Fleming later credited Cuneo with more than half the plot for Goldfinger and all of the basic plot for Thunderball; both from the James Bond series of books. For his service during the war, Cuneo was decorated by Italy, Great Britain, and the City of Genoa. As a lawyer, Cuneo was an authority on libel and constitutional law, especially in freedom of the press. He represented Walter Winchell during Winchell's most influential period. In his later years, although he continued to practice law, Cuneo was more involved in the newspaper business and in writing. He served as president of the North American Newspaper Alliance and was later editor-at-large of the Saturday Evening Post. For a number of years he wrote a syndicated column, "Take It or Leave It," which appeared three times a week. The success of the column led to an offer to take over the "National Whirligig," the original "news behind the news" column which appeared five days a week. Cuneo also wrote several books including The Dynamics of World History, Science and History, and Life with Fiorello.
From the description of Cuneo, Ernest L., 1905-1988 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10610373
