Luke LaManna

One week after the houseguests escaped Iran, Tony was back in Los Angeles to tie up the loose ends of the mission. He pulled up outside of the Universal Studios Sheraton, and his wife Karen pointed out the marquee that read, Thanks, Canada. Karen sighed and told her husband, You're a national hero, but nobody will ever know. Tony shrugged.

He reminded his wife that being a CIA agent meant your accomplishments never saw the light of day. But that wasn't what mattered. The important thing was that six Americans had gotten out alive. And so had he. They parked and checked in at the hotel, where they received lapel buttons with Thanks Canada written on them as well. Tony smirked as he pinned it on.

He reminded his wife that being a CIA agent meant your accomplishments never saw the light of day. But that wasn't what mattered. The important thing was that six Americans had gotten out alive. And so had he. They parked and checked in at the hotel, where they received lapel buttons with Thanks Canada written on them as well. Tony smirked as he pinned it on.

They went up to the room where they were greeted by John Chambers and Bob Seidel, the Hollywood veterans who had helped pull off the Argo plot. John gave Tony a big hug and welcomed him to the wrap party for Argo, the film that never was. The news of the houseguest's escape had made headlines around the world.

They went up to the room where they were greeted by John Chambers and Bob Seidel, the Hollywood veterans who had helped pull off the Argo plot. John gave Tony a big hug and welcomed him to the wrap party for Argo, the film that never was. The news of the houseguest's escape had made headlines around the world.

The White House issued a statement thanking the Canadian government for their role in the rescue. But no one knew about Tony's involvement. That was classified. The U.S. didn't want to endanger the hostages still held at the embassy by revealing they'd participated in such a bold rescue. President Carter met with the houseguests at the White House and thanked them for their bravery.

The White House issued a statement thanking the Canadian government for their role in the rescue. But no one knew about Tony's involvement. That was classified. The U.S. didn't want to endanger the hostages still held at the embassy by revealing they'd participated in such a bold rescue. President Carter met with the houseguests at the White House and thanked them for their bravery.

Soon after, the Studio 6 offices were shut down. Argo was officially dead. It was a bit of a letdown for the dozens of actors and artists who'd called Bob Seidel, hoping to get to work on Argo. They thought it sounded like a great movie. The Canadian caper was one of the most successful covert operations in the CIA's history.

Soon after, the Studio 6 offices were shut down. Argo was officially dead. It was a bit of a letdown for the dozens of actors and artists who'd called Bob Seidel, hoping to get to work on Argo. They thought it sounded like a great movie. The Canadian caper was one of the most successful covert operations in the CIA's history.

The American and Canadian government's work in freeing the houseguests remains a lasting example of how nations can collaborate in times of crisis. In May of 1980, Tony Mendez and Ed Johnson, the CIA partner in Tehran, received the Intelligence Star, one of the CIA's highest honors. Due to the classified nature of the Argo mission, the ceremony was held in secret.

The American and Canadian government's work in freeing the houseguests remains a lasting example of how nations can collaborate in times of crisis. In May of 1980, Tony Mendez and Ed Johnson, the CIA partner in Tehran, received the Intelligence Star, one of the CIA's highest honors. Due to the classified nature of the Argo mission, the ceremony was held in secret.

It would be another two decades before Tony's involvement was declassified. Ed Johnson's role wasn't made public until 2023. For his role in setting up Studio Six Pictures, John Chambers received the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the CIA's highest civilian honor.

It would be another two decades before Tony's involvement was declassified. Ed Johnson's role wasn't made public until 2023. For his role in setting up Studio Six Pictures, John Chambers received the Intelligence Medal of Merit, the CIA's highest civilian honor.

Ambassador Ken Taylor received the Congressional Gold Medal, and President Carter would later call him the main hero of the mission for opening his home to the House guests. The houseguests eventually returned to their work in the Foreign Service. They continued to keep up contact with Tony over the years.

Ambassador Ken Taylor received the Congressional Gold Medal, and President Carter would later call him the main hero of the mission for opening his home to the House guests. The houseguests eventually returned to their work in the Foreign Service. They continued to keep up contact with Tony over the years.

With the exception of one US citizen who was released earlier, the 52 hostages in the American Embassy remained in captivity for 444 days. The military mission intended to free the hostages turned out to be disastrous, resulting in the deaths of eight American service members when the rescue helicopters encountered an unexpected sandstorm.

With the exception of one US citizen who was released earlier, the 52 hostages in the American Embassy remained in captivity for 444 days. The military mission intended to free the hostages turned out to be disastrous, resulting in the deaths of eight American service members when the rescue helicopters encountered an unexpected sandstorm.

The hostages would eventually be released on January 20th, 1981, the day of President Reagan's inauguration, after almost 15 months of captivity. In the more than 40 years since the Iranian Revolution, the relationship between the United States and Iran has been fraught with controversy and conflict. But the clash between the two countries was never more tense than during the hostage crisis.

The hostages would eventually be released on January 20th, 1981, the day of President Reagan's inauguration, after almost 15 months of captivity. In the more than 40 years since the Iranian Revolution, the relationship between the United States and Iran has been fraught with controversy and conflict. But the clash between the two countries was never more tense than during the hostage crisis.

The Canadian caper gave Americans hope in the midst of a very dark period in American history, and it reinforced unity between the United States and Canada. In this case, the CIA proved to be master storytellers.