Whittaker Chambers Whittaker Chambers in 1948 Allegiance Soviet Union United States Service "Communist underground" controlled by GRU Active 1932–1938 (spy), 1922–1959 (writer, poet), 1926–1939 (translator) Award(s) Presidential Medal of Freedom (1984), Order of the Red Star (1937) Codename(s) Carl (Karl) Bob David Breen Lloyd Cantwell Birth name Jay Vivian Chambers Born (1901-04-01)April 1, 1901 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died July 9, 1961(1961-07-09) (aged 60) Westminster, Maryland Cause of death Heart attack Nationality American Religion Episcopalian (birth), Quaker Parents Jay Chambers, Laha Whittaker Spouse Esther Shemitz Children daughter, son Occupation Journalist, Writer, Spy, Poet, Translator Alma mater Columbia University