OS - KRONTHAL, JAMES SPEYER <SANITIZED>

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06619112
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2020
• Case Number: F-2013-01784
• Publication Date: June 5, 1989

Approved for Release: 2020/01/15 C06619112
SEC
5 June 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: KRONTHAL, James Speyer
1. On 5 June 1989 the undersigned interviewed Harlan Westrell
the retired chief of the Counterintelligence
Branch ot OS, at his home
Westrell was interviewed concerning any information he may have
about Subject's case. This memorandum is to report topics covered
in the interview and document Subject's and Westrell's file.
2. The following information was obtained during the course
of the interview:
a. Westrell was chief of the CI Branch of OS and did not
directly investigate the Kronthal case. Paul Gaynor
was investigating all cases involving HA.
b. The Soviets were attempting to blackmail co-optees through
weaknesses, such as HA, during this period.
potential was being carefully investigated
investigations of Agency employees. Subject had returned from
overseas and was scheduled for a polygraph. It is believed
that his HA would have been seen as a vulnerability and
Subject's career would have been over. Rather than submit to
the polygraph, ending his career, Subject committed suicide.
Blackmail
c. Westrell stated that Subject's suicide came as a "great
shock" to the Agency, DCI Dulles, and C/OPS Helms. There was
no indication at the time that Subject was connected with the
Soviets or any other intelligence service.
d. It is believed that Subject committed suicide using an OSS
poison capsule, called and "L-pill," which could not be
detected by autopsy. These capsules were given to OSS agents
in case of capture. Subject, being ex-OSS, would have had
access. Westrell recalled that while he was a security
officer in Frankfurt, he personally disposed of remaining
stocks of these OSS pills.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
Approved for Release: 2020/01/15 C06619112
Approved for Release: 2020/01/15 C06619112
SECRET
SUBJECT: KRONTHAL, James Speyer
e. Westrell had no information of the Subject's suicide
notes. Neither did he regognize the name or have information
on Corson as an aide to DCI Dulles, though he admitted it
would have been possible.
f. As concerned the McCarthy list of subversive Agency
employees, Westrell stated that Subject was on the list, but
not a prime target. Many of the names on the list were from
the Germany bases and concerned busted operations. McCarthy
alleged that these bad operations were due to communists and
subversives, but Westrell, who investigated the allegations
against Agency employees, said most of the problems were due
to "stupid operations" and poor tradecraft.
g. Westrell gave the writer several names that may have been
related to the Subject's case and the McCarthy hearings.
These files will be reviewed for useful information.
2
SECRET
Approved for Release: 2020/01/15 C06619112