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The Preston Trail Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution had it’s first meeting last week and hosted guest speaker Danny Defenbaugh, a former FBI agent and Terrorism Task Force leader. In recognition of his sharing his experiences, suggestions for future security issues and for his time and expertise, Regent Lisa Lettie presented a book to Patti Altergoff of the Pottsboro Library in his honor. A book plate was placed inside the front cover with a dedication written to him.
Danny was a FBI-certified bomb technician for most of his FBI career and traveled to over 25 foreign countries in furtherance of the FBI's interest in thwarting international terrorism. He personally supervised over 150 bombing investigations, to include all the Puerto Rican terrorist group, FALN bombings in Chicago and the bombing investigations of the three terrorist attacks against American installations in Beirut, Lebanon. Danny has testified as either an expert witness or investigator over 100 times in federal, state, and local courts, to include the U.S. Congress and Military Tribunals. While assigned to the FBI Miami Field Office, he supervised the Major Case Squad encompassing all major violent crimes, international and domestic terrorism and all bombing matters. In addition, he was the Supervisor for the South Florida Violent Crimes/Fugitive Task Force.
In 1995, Danny was promoted to Inspector and named Inspector in Charge of the Oklahoma City bombing investigation. From 1998 until his retirement, Danny was the Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office of the FBI. FBI Dallas was designated one of the ten core offices leading the September 11, 2001 investigation of the Pentagon/Twin Towers terrorist attacks.
Danny is the only FBI Agent to receive two Attorney General Awards. In 1983, he received the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement. In 1998, he received the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service for his management of the Oklahoma City bombing investigation. Danny received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive in 1999.
In honor of his role in law enforcement, Chapter Librarian Elizabeth Landers contributed $50 in his name to Shone Hix, Police Chief, Pottsboro Police Department along with a certificate of appreciation for the Pottsboro Police Department.
Preston Trail Chapter DAR meets on the 3rd Thursday of every month (Sept – May) Ladies interested in learning about the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are invited to all Preston Trail meetings. Any woman, 18 years or older, is invited to consider membership in the society. Trained genealogist volunteers are available at no charge to assist in the lineage research needed for membership. Proof must be found and documented that the woman has someone in her lineage who either fought in or gave support to the American Revolution. For more information, please contact: Regent Lisa Lettie 817-360-6830 or Registrar Lisa Hall 903-464-0797.
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