(ESTIMATED PUB DATE) CHRONOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP WITH DR. FRANK R. OLSON

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00144976
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 22, 2024
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: December 1, 1953

SUBJ3CT: Chronologiaal Relationship -.Tith M.. ?rank It. OL-;on
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I first r.ct Dr. Frz.72.: R. Cason chwir.g the month
of l'-ay 1943 at which time he vas a ccr.amiszioled officer in the Anny, zijznd
to the classified resezzch project at this station. Din g the ^eiriod of
Ilay 1.943 to :.:ay .1.2tA I was also assigned to this xoject as a co..raissioncd
officer. Dr. Clzon's or: during this tine was mainly in the field of
acrobioloa^; and was assizned to another division*. I was not in close contact,
In the abom period of tiles, with D. Olson either professionally or
Pro= ray 19-14 to Sent;-7..b":7 lf:A5 Iwas assit:;:ied to the Vigo Plant,
Indiana Chcr.ical Co-_-ps Inatzalation, dcring ;Thich to I had no contact with
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Dr. Olson.
ltr next cont.:rot -aas ma4e after r.y.reassi;n:ctent to C.-rlp Detrick in
October 19.45. n�on Cto14.r 1),15 to Sept.:Is:her 1950, Dr. Olson nsassi;;:nd
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to the .Aerobiolo7.� F-ranch in the Thysical Deferze Division of the Onlf;
Biological laboratwies. In that car.acity he was not closely associlln
me prof� 3 ional2.y; hwever, ;7-3 had ni:::�oroun .sor...ial contacts.
- In Soptonber. IC'S() Dr. Olson jo5_.-ad the ne....;ly Por.ned SO Division of
which I was Chief. His first assi7:nr_ent: to this Division as to take charve.
of the 'planning, training and intelligence activities. Oa Octol-�:-.r 2.52 Ias
transferred frora the SO Division to the Director's Office. From Cttober 1252
to April IS.'S'S Dr. Olson assu..7.z..d ny duties in the SO Division. In April 1253
Dr. 17edun, Safety Director of the CraC Biological Laboratories, reccr...-:e.nded �
�that Dr. Olson be. relieved of his duties as Chief of SO Division de to his
health (ulcers). Lt Col DeCarlo was then appointz....d Chief of SO Division and
Dr. Olson ass*:.med the duties as Chief of ?lens and k...sessmont 11%-anch. Ile
contimnd this assir,nrent up to the data of his death.
SI/3CT: Cr.ronolovical .elationehip with Dr. Frank R. Olson (Contd) . 2
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Dr. Olson was consiterc..d s an authority in ilia field of
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a science whic..h wan de-ralopet conciderably tat': C.' '12 ars�D.S.v.3 to 153 at
Camp De.tric,4 -oth his super� iors ar-1 subordinates rezarded him as a
qualified scientist in this field.
Dol�inz the years I have 1:::=^ 1
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Olson I have had nrous
contacts with him ant his family, visitin; oftc.in at his hare. He was alzsys
extremely cheerful, more than to help anyone in distress, often tes
tiaking'it a point to cheer not only.his friens hut others sowere in a
depressed mood. Dr. 'Cason enjo;;:-.1 anocensionil drin!: but did not
indulge zeneral state of r.4nd and outlook on life was alr.�z�o
'that of�C;:tl'OTS: Optinitr.:1� Thv2r17:1.3 th3 an intication of psi-izzt.
Dr. Olson coi.ad 1:0 cleesif.led as a rzui, taki.nz, creat interest
in his hor.a ar.d the activities of his fami.J. irabedt.,1 in the nize!s of
his eiiltren the nee:Lai' relizion in life, nal-.-Ln.; sure that they atten,,,d
their Suntay school.rez:)1...rly and -itor.211 also en.courage his friends' children.
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to attend ih then. - -
last pIrsonal contat.�t with Dr. Olson was on rovember U, 22.:,53,
- at Tinich tine e brouzIrZ, his children to visit and with Ery.chile.ren.
At this time ha appeared ncrzaal in all respects and as cheerful as ever.
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I had no personal contacts with Dr. Olson after the experiment.
I had first learned on Eorday, I:ovemb:r 2.5rd, l.C53, Prom Lt. Co]. Vincent
Rivet a% Olson had been e::posed ant '.7:t3 showinz, synptams of rex:tic:14
Oa Tuesday, I:o-.-reber 24th, I was notified that Dr. Olson was he-
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ingt to :Z.7; York City for treatrent.
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*SUBEXT: Chronolo;ical Relations:lip '.7ith pro Il-nk R. Olsen (Contd)
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2:cr.-Jr:bar 25th, -I was notified that condition
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was not StIricras and that recovery 7q.s expected.
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On Thursday ev-Jnin.;, l!ovembe,^ 26th, I was notified that Dr.
Olson had returned to York for furthe-r trentnent.
On Friday, :Ior..�.:21:,:zr 27th, I v.-as notified that Dr. Olson v-as
-under treatment and that �,�-rantgarants re teinsnar3c for tatment at
a privatc institution in this rzaa. ClaShinston, D.C.-nsederick, Yd.)
At approximately 3 a.m. on Saturday', rorentber 2t h, 19S3�
Inas notified that� Dr. Olson had *jea:n:td rs-cm the Stztler
At appro:.:47.,troy aea. so date I rocada%ld confir:zation
that the lezip. v.-as fat-a. -
IrS.R.ELL7CTLY. TO
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