OBSERVATIONS ON DR. FRANK OLSON - 1951 - 1953

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
00144977
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
2
Document Creation Date: 
November 22, 2024
Document Release Date: 
January 15, 1983
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 7, 1953
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon OBSERVATIONS ON DR. FRANK[12884464].pdf102.71 KB
Body: 
OBSSRVATION; ON Dl. FR= MSC:: - 1951 - 1953 .� I have been personally coysinted with Dr. Frank Olson a:Iproximtely since SePtem:Ser of 1951.. The nature of r.y personal contacts 7ith him bave been at the level of collaborators in research activities of mutual interest to his croup cad nine. This period has been charaste,-isea, anon: other thin:s, by :three periodic meetin:s in secluded areas where the croup involved in the meetin:s to.:ether for two or three aay pirioas. At these meetinss the writer hnd an onportunity to personally observe Dr. Olson in 1n10rmr.1 surrouillin:s ana durin!; periods of tic when he was not er.::a-ed in official scientific sctivitien. T:tc.. other contacts, whish ever-v-ea about one every two or three months involv---1 official visits either by me to his researeh fosility or vice versa. : would estimate that the total number of contacts which I hal with hi durin: the periel deptember 1, 1951 up to rsvcaber 19, 1953 totaled thirteen or fourteen. Althouy.h the principal topic of conversation at . these co%tncts *.na4 official scientific busiLess, a fairly close personal relationLip had. also develo, and a minor part of the various conv..r- sations 1 haxl Mn concernad personal F.:atter:" unrelated to cur scientific or official relationship. 1 Durinc.this verica Dr. Olsen seemed to me to be n very effcc4-4%'e research clientist, in excelleat cornr_ad of his field cf oxnesr!ment:.tYan. and very Acvoted to the successful execution cr his duties. He to me a stable inlividual, not pnrtieulr.rly ziven to na%inz snap jud:gocts and sblc to -et :Aar.: very well =ea:. his collea:ues. It vas made hnx:n to re on several occasions, thr.su-h inc4denta1 .=ade either by hiLself or his collesz-yes, thst he ha11'neen sufferin: from recurrin;-, trout:le with a duodenal ulcer. I La.'.. no occasion to observe any instance when this interfered with his work. DT. Olson appcarei to re to be very imprcesed by the importoncc of the security aspects of his job. Workin: in an installaticn where extreme security ::.casures were in effect for :he entire installation, Dr. Olsen conscientiously accepted the ailed security burdens that � his Group's collaboration vith my zroup Be was not at liberty to discuss these areas of research With any individuals excpt perhaps six to eiz.:ht of his immeaiste susocia:es. ()cc-osier:0.11y, areas of effort :ere developed in which he =act liberty to discuss certain information with only one other pee-sr.:at h4s resoar-r. fac4lity. Be seemei to =2 to tear these varieuu securitr burdens well. Drarinc this ptrioi (from September 1951 to rovember 19, 1953) had no occasion to observe aberrent or unrs:ional behavior in any of my contacts with Dr. Olson. � �� 6+ The November 18 - 20 meetin- between D. Olson': rrcup and my own, at which 7 or his !:roup wi:re present and three of :nine, vas concerneA with rc.uine -atter:: of v.-aluatinr.rcsults.of the pas!. six months research ani plannin: the "nr.xt six =nth's ,.:or:. UP to the tine of the experiment, I oervea nothin:: in Dr. Olcon's behavior or actions Ifaich was different frm that descrrzei .hove. On november 20, the 1:y afte*r the exleriment, I ha2 occasion to Observe Dr. Clzon for about two hours in the mornin:, between 7 A.P.. end 9 Aside from some evidence of fatue, I obser7ed nothirw unusual in his actions, conversation, or Leneral behavior. py next .contact with Dr. Olson was on Tx:slay November 24, s: prior 1:Tior to his de.parture for re.: Yorh with Dr. Lachbroci: an! Col. The meetin: with Dr. Olson tool: place in my office i:etween ay,roximattly 1:30 and 2:00 and lastc.! about ten minutes. I tslhel *.:".:h Dr. Olsen nbout various scientific on 7ersonal matters. Fe see::c1 to rg to Iee confuse2 in certain areas of his thinhin:::, particularly az rezariled hi: fcelin:z of incompetence in relation to his ,!ob and to the futility of.tryirr: to heln him. My last contact with Dr. Olson'tooh place on Thlr.:1:7, 25 in Dr. Lashbrook's apartment, Zust prior tO their return to 1:ew to see Dr. Abramson. 1 wcs with Dr. Olach an2 Dr. Lnsh'orto% apr.ro;ately 1 hour, spanlin:: thc last 30 minl:te: drivin:: Dr. Olson and Dr. Lashbrooh'to the airport. Durin:: this periol Dr. Olson occr.ed mere disturbel and a7,itntel than he hal been the pre-:lolls TuesIay. Fe tal%ed ir1 a clear q.nou:h r.anuer, but his thou.its were confused. 1'n szain tn1el about his i1con7etence in his :or, the hopelessness of onybo2y helpir.:; him, and .the rnct that the ':est this to do was to abanlcn- hin and not -bother - seemed-to- mg that he Iles very rentelly disturbed at this timo. � 7 Decenber 1933 �