S.A.F.E. (Strategic Action For Emergencies)- In the years after WWII, between 1945 and 1958, the United States, the new era of superheroes and the Cold War was just beginning, but many in the Truman and Eisenhower administrations felt that the "superhuman issue" should be confronted with experienced professionals. The loss of Captain America and the Avengers of Freedom in 1945, had sent the message that there was a severe danger in "over-reliance" in super-powered characters. As such, an elite force of heroes was put together with the cooperation of the OSS, the FBI, and the War Department to face the threats around the world and behind the "Iron Curtain". SAFE would serve as a vital prototype program for SHIELD until its formation in 1965, under President Lyndon B. Johnson. SAFE membership has been classified for the past 60 years, but according to SHIELD records and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) the following people were involved:
Colonel John Steele- U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division, John Steele fought in the European Theater of WWII from 1942 until 1945. During the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, he lost his hand in combat, while protecting his unit against overwhelming odds in an abandoned church. With the 442nd Japanese-American unit he helped liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. He is a strict commander who is also refined and well-read. At his home in Chevy Chase, MD, he has a considerable wine collection...
Sgt. Terry Vance- Starting in 1940, Terry Vance was considered a "wunderkind" bythe OSS. As an engineering major at Harvard University, he was considered one of the top analysts and technical specialists of the unit. In 1947, he was called to Roswell, New Mexico by President Harry Truman to investigate a classified matter. It should be noted that in 1953 he created a "video-recording device" using the spare parts in his basement in Boston, Massachusetts. He was considered manic and extremely eccentric, often wearing a pair of sneakers and a miniature camera at all times...
Tom Denver (a.k.a. Dakor the Magician)- Starting in 1939, Thomas Denver of Providence, RI has been an expert in the mystical arts. His cover as a stage magician has helped make "plausible denial" a key to his success. In 1940, he helped Aleister Crowley in a defense of Great Britain at Findhorn. He joined Capt. Claire Chennault in 1942 in Lhasa, Tibet where he studied with the "Ancient One". He is an adept magician in both the mystical and stage senses of the word. He is often annoyed by the presence of Terry Vance.
Lt. Perry Wade (a.k.a. "American Ace")- In 1936, Perry Wade of Gary, Indiana became one of the few airborne members of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade who fought against the Fascists. In 1939, Wade joined the British RAF in the effort to fight against the threat of fascism. In 1941, he joined the "Flying Tigers" under Captain Claire Chennault to fight against the Japanese in covert missions. He has shot down over 116 known kills in the Pacific Theater and Atlantic Theater...
Prof. Elton T. Morrow (a.k.a, "Blue Diamond")- Professor Elton T. Morrow of New York City, NY, who served as a vigilante starting in 1939. His recovery of the device and its embeddment in his body makes him the sole "super-power" on the team. His service with the OSS in Europe in 1944 is part of the reason behind his recruitment by Steele. In 1946, he married his current wife in Waterbury, CT. He theorized that there is an extraterrestrial link to the many "super-humans" since the 1800s...
Special Agent Elizabeth Ross- In 1938, Elizabeth Ross graduated from U.C.L.A. with a doctorate in psychology. In 1941, she became a member of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. In 1945, she was recruited by J. Edgar Hoover as one of the first female agents to the FBI. She is often concerned that she has reached a "glass ceiling" and that she is the "token female" for the group.
Lt. Percival Aloysious O'Toole (a.k.a. "Knuckles")- Starting in 1941, Brooklyn, NY native "Knuckles", a third-generation Navy brat entered the Navy at the age of thirteen by lying about his age. With his knowledge of fighting-skills and his eagerness to serve in combat, he served with distinction at the Battle of Midway in 1942. Unfortunately, he was also aboard hte USS Indianapolis when it was hit by Japanese torpedos, and watched as 2/3 of the crew were killed over a period of 6 days. He joined the unit to "atone for his sins".
Christopher "Whitewash" Jones- Jones of Harlem, New York, was a member of the 7th Army, 761st Tank Battalion that served under General George Patton starting in 1942. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 where he met Steele. In 1945, he helped liberate the Buchenwald Death Camp with his fellow African-American troops. Inspired by the role of Captain America (a.k.a. Isaiah Bradley), he believes its his duty to help properly "represent the race". Unfortunately, his eagerness to serve has earned him the nickname "Whitewash" amongst his African-American peers. He often has an antagonistic relationship with team member "Knuckles".
