About Ambassador Colby
Ambassador Colby was a longtime friend of Norwich University, which awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service in 1992. He authored two important books, "Lost Victory: A Firsthand Account of America’s Involvement in Vietnam" and "Honorable Men - My Life in the CIA." He was a decorated World War II veteran who served with the OSS in World War II and later with the CIA. From 1951–1962, Colby served with the American Embassies in Stockholm, Rome, and Saigon. He was Ambassador and Deputy to the Commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam from 1968 to 1971. Colby served as Director of the CIA from 1973-76. In honor of his commitment to Norwich University and the symposium, the program was named The William E. Colby Military Writers’ Symposium in 1997.

2010 William E. Colby Award Recipient Col. Jack Jacobs, USA (Ret.)

2011 Colby Award Nomination Process
The Tawani Foundation is now accepting submissions for the 2011 Colby Award. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2010.

Award Criteria:
  1. The Colby Award recognizes a FIRST WORK of fiction or non-fiction that has made a major contribution to the understanding of military history, intelligence operations or international affairs.
  2. Book must be published from January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2010.
  3. Five (5) copies of the book with the nomination form must be submitted no later than November 30, 2010.
  4. Nomination Forms and the books should be mailed to:

The William E. Colby Award
Tawani Foundation
104 S. Michigan Avenue
Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60603


Past Recipients of the Colby Award are:
  • 2009 Dexter Filkins The Forever War & Marcus Luttrell Lone Survivor
  • 2008 R. Alan King Twice Armed
  • 2007 Ian W. Toll Conduct Under Fire & Six Frigates
  • 2006 Nathaniel Fick and Kevin Weddle Lincoln's Tragic Admiral & One Bullet Away
  • 2005 Sid Shachnow and Jann Robbins Hope and Honor
  • 2005 Jon Meacham Franklin and Winston
  • 2004 Bing West and Major General Ray L. Smith The March Up
  • 2004 Robert L. Bateman No Gun Ri
  • 2003 Bryan Mark Rigg Hitler's Jewish Soldiers
  • 2002 Patrick K. O'Donnell Beyond Valor
  • 2002 Ralph Wetterhahn The Last Battle
  • 2001 James Bradley with Ron Powers Flags of Our Fathers
  • 2000 B.G. Burkett and Glenna Whitley Stolen Valor
  • 1999 Fred Chiaventone A Road We Do Not Know
  • 1999 Bill Harlow Circle William