SHIELD

"'SHIELD has been earth’s first line of defense against the things no-one wants to know about for over fifty years.' (Maria Hill, Clint Barton: Interlude)"placeholder

History
In 1948, Chester Phillips, Peggy Carter, and Howard Stark broke off from the SSR in order to found their own intelligence agency geared toward the protection of anyone who needed it. They called this agency SHIELD, to remind every agent of this objective.

Not long later, the newly formed United Nations took in and sponsored the fledgling agency, recombining it with the SSR in the process, but this time with SHIELD in charge. During this time, many scientists and agents alike were recruited, unknowingly allowing the infiltration of SHIELD by what remained of Red Skull's Hydra.

SHIELD continued its work of protecting the world for several decades. But at the same time, Hydra's infiltration had propagated to the highest levels and deepest corners. In the wake of individuals such as Ant-Man, Superman, and Iron Man, Director Nick Fury created the Avengers Initiative to once again push the objective of protecting the people.

In 2011, a select few SHIELD personnel learned of Hydra's presence. The Order of the Phoenix was founded, with the purpose of purging SHIELD of Hydra's corruption. In the same year, the Avengers Initiative was activated, creating a team of operatives that rapidly crippled Ten Rings presence in the west.

Notable Members
Nick Fury (Director)

Alexander Pierce

Maria Hill (Assistant Director)

Phil Coulson

Jasper Sitwell

Clint Barton (Operative)

Natasha Romanoff (Operative)

See Also:
S.H.I.E.L.D., on Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki