LETTER TO MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM J. DONOVAN FROM R. H. HILLENKOETTER

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06922963
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 29, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-01100
• Publication Date: January 12, 1950

Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 C06922963
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Orig -addressee PATLI 18 1;49A31 IIZVLEV: al-064540
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2cy-ADSO w/basic & Orig&3 of Col.Pruden's memo, 1/10/50
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NOTE: Basic re Gin Donovan's ltr, 10/19/49, 0-7037. He states
matr which he has promised has been forwarded. Still one
gap in history - -plan which he submitted to JCS, State &
� General Iledemeyer in 1945 for org of an intell unit for
comprehensive study of China. Name of study was "Augur"
and it is vital part of work of the org., and serves as
example of failure of exec officers to take advantage of such
studies. If study cannot be located, request his ltr be included
no. acA_PProv for Release: 2022/08/04 C0692290. roject had been submitted even thc
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Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 006922963
� COP! �
pONOVAN LEISURE NEWTON LUMBARD & IRVINE
Two Wall Street
New York 51 N. Y.
October 19th 1949
Rear Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter
central Intelligence Agency
Washington 251 D. C.
Dear Admiral Hillenkoetter:
ER 0-7039
I have your letter of October 5th, relative to
the OSS History.
In examining the history, I found certain errors
in the statement of facts. In order to make proper correction,
it has been necessary to obtain statements from Key personnel
of the OSS who had definite knowledge of the circumstances
surrounding the different operations.
This has been done and the statements are in
course of preparation. I have talked with Kermit Roosevelt
and will send the papers on to him as soon as they come into
my possession.
Sincerely yours,
signed - William J. Donovan
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� �
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
TIAL
ER 0-6778
5 October 1949
Major leneralWil)le= J. Donovan
Dcncvin, Leisure, Newton, Lombard & Irvine
?wo Wall Street
New 'fork 5, N. 1*.
Dear General Donovan:
junt today / have received a memorandum from
the Direotor of the Joint Staff which reads, as
follows: otto agencies of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
have ireicated an urcnt need for the completed
history of the �Moe of Strategic. Services and have
roqueeted that it bo fUrniehed at tbo etrliost p=c-
ticable date. In view of this, information is
requerted as to when the document may be eolected.11
Could you please give MR the information requested
in order that I o/Ny transmit it to. the Joint Chief's
. of Staff,
Mr. Ecrviit Roosevelt, of course, stands re,*
to confer with you if he can be of mrAy assistance in
this matter.
vre7 best wish
D: RHH/gc
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
cc- DCI
2 cc - ADSO (for
believe me,
Sincerely,
Signed - Dispatched 10/6/49
thru ER(sealed)
R. 11. Hillenkoetter
Rear Achairal, USN
Director of Centre3.
Intelli game
Director, Strategic Services Unit)
Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 006922963
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Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 C06922963
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28 September 1949
1MORANDUM FGR: The Joint Chiefs of Staff
SUBJECT: History of the Office of Strategic Services
1. The CEmtral Intelligence Group, the predecessor of this
Agency, was directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare a
history of the organization and operations of the Office of
Strategic Services. This has been in process for several years.
On completion of the first draft, about eighteen month, ago, a
copy was aent to .iajor General William J. Donovan, Director of
the Offite of Strategic Serviees, for his comments. This first
draft copy was returned with General Donovan's comments which
were incorporated into a second draft at which time General
Donovan asked to see the second draft and to make further comments.
This second draft was furnished General Donovan the early part of
this year, qnd so far we have heard nothing further from him
directly*.
2. The history of the Office of Strategic Services was
classified by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as TOP SECT, but me
have recently learned that General Donovan has forwarded to
various other people separate volumes of the history for farther
comment and rewrite.
3. It is requested that the Joint Chiefe of Staff give
guidance to the Central Intelligence Agency in thls matter�whether
to wait until General Donovan returns a corrected draft, or whether
to press him for a return in the immediate future.
Signed & dispatched by hand DCI
9/28/49
R. H. HILLENKOETTER
Rear Mmiral,
Director of Central
Intelligence
D: RHH/gc
Distribution:
Orig. & lee - JCS
- DCI
2 cc - ADSO -- for Director, Strategic Services Unit.
Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 C06922963
Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 C06922963
9 JAN 1948
MORAN=i TMIt JOIN COUPS or SfATF
IMMOUNs Joint Seeurity Control
Subjeets War Report of the atm. of Strategie Barstools
Pant to the request of the joint Chiefs of Staff
* WarReport of the activities of the Offiee of Strategic
Services has been completed ender the jurisdiction of the
Director of the Stra Services Umit and the supervision
of the Joint SecurityGoatrol.
A. copy of the report was admitted to Major General
Willimn J. Donovan, Director of the OBS, for his review and any
desired eommeet. 114 has obliged that his oomments will be
forthooaing reasonably soon. Copies thereof will be provided
upon reeeipt.
Three typewritten, bound eopiee of the report together
with pertinent comments by the Director, SW, are forwarded
1-
R. H. HILLFNKOETTER
REAR A0MtRAL. USN
OIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
Approved for Release: 2022/08/04 C06922963