Wading River Radio Station

May 28

Here is a detailed look at the history of the Wading River Radio Station:

1941: The FBI, responding to the defection of an Argentinian Nazi spy, decided to create a covert radio operation. They covertly moved into the Owen Place—later known as Benson House—on a secluded bluff in Wading River, Suffolk County, NY. [en.wikipedia.org], [nps.gov]
January 1942: Engineers installed hidden shortwave radio transmitters, an antenna concealed in the woods, and a diesel-powered generator powered by a repurposed car engine in the basement to mask the equipment’s high electricity usage. [swling.com], [en.wikipedia.org]

Transmission & Deception: From 1942 to 1945, agents posed as German and Japanese double-agents, broadcasting coded messages to mislead Axis intelligence. [nps.gov], [en.wikipedia.org]
- Operation Bodyguard: Misinformation targeting Nazi Germany about Allied invasion strategies, including false intel about troop movements. [nps.gov], [en.wikipedia.org]
- Operation Bluebird: Deception aimed at Japanese intelligence, pushing rumors of Allied invasions of Formosa and China’s southern coast. [nps.gov], [en.wikipedia.org]
Counterintelligence Gains: The station also operated in reverse—receiving communications from Axis sources. Crucially, it intercepted intelligence regarding Germany’s atomic bomb efforts. This information influenced President Roosevelt’s commitment to the U.S. atomic program. [en.wikipedia.org], [swling.com]

Lifestyle Cover: FBI Special Agent Donworth Johnson and his family lived onsite under a cover story of tuberculosis, explaining their presence and aiding the façade. [en.wikipedia.org]
Spatial Setup: The first floor remained the Johnson family’s living quarters, while the second and third floors were dedicated to the classified radio operation. [swling.com], [en.wikipedia.org]

1945–Postwar: After WWII ended, the FBI dismantled the station. The property was subsequently purchased by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island and has been used as Camp DeWolfe—a retreat center and summer camp. [nps.gov], [wgpfoundation.org], [swling.com], [hmdb.org]
2018 Recognition: The Benson House (a.k.a. Wading River Radio Station) was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 4, 2018, acknowledging its exceptional role in wartime counterintelligence. [nps.gov], [wgpfoundation.org], [en.wikipedia.org]

Commemoration Ceremony: A public ceremony marking its National Register status was held at nearby St. Luke’s Chapel at Camp DeWolfe, involving local officials and historical societies. [fbistudies.com]
Public History & Media: The story of this clandestine operation has been shared through platforms like the FBI Grapevine, SWLing Post, and the New York Almanack, which spotlight its contribution to WWII intelligence efforts. [fbistudies.com], [swling.com], [newyorkalmanack.com]

Covert Intelligence Hub: One of the FBI’s top-secret radio transmission sites during WWII, designed for impersonation operations to deceive Axis powers.
Strategic Contributions: Key in influencing Allied strategy through both misdirection and intelligence collection, notably concerning nuclear research.
Historic Preservation: Now preserved and honored as a critical part of American counterintelligence history, blending wartime intrigue with modern public memory.