Henry Giordano


Henry Luke Giordano 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.

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.

Bureau of Narcotics

In 1941, Giordano joined the Bureau of Narcotics, where he stayed until 1943, when he joined theUnited States Coast Guard.
Released from the service in 1946, Giordano returned to the Bureau, where he often worked undercover, and became the deputy commissioner in 1958.

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. He had been named head of the Bureau in July 5 of that year.
Like his predecessor, Harry J. Anslinger, Giordano supported tough penalties for addicts; unlike Anslinger, who led the Bureau for decades, Giordano's term was significantly shorter: by February 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson requested that the Congress merge the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the Bureau of Drug Abuse Control.
The House agreed; the Senate agreed; 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.

Personal life

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

Later life

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