The Office of Strategic Services (U.S.) Before World War II America's intelligence resources were scanty. On June 13, 1942 President Roosevelt ordered the formation of the Office of Strategic Services to conduct covert warfare against Those Wacky Nazis and their allies. Headed by "Wild Bill" Donovan , the OSS conducted sabotage and subversion as well as plain old espionage against their enemies. They undertook their job with ingenuity and what sometimes seems to some to be a curious zest. The OSS was an inexperienced agency and had some notable failures but also some remarkable successes. After the war the OSS was disbanded to be later resurrected in the form of the CIA.