RESPONSIBILITY OF X-2 BRANCH AND THE SECURITY OFFICE WITH RESPECT TO OSS PERSONNEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04007A000100010011-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2003
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: August 8, 2001
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP78-04007A000100010011-7
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
Washington, D. C.
19 May 1944
MEMORANDUM TO:
Chiefs of
Security Office, X-2, camI SO, MO, and
Communications, Strategic Services Officers
and Chiefs of Mission.
SUBJECT: Responsibility of X-2 Branch and the
Security Office with respec o OSS
Personnel.
I. Paragraph 1 a of Supple-
ment #19, provides that the Security Office l be re-
sponsible for "the security of all OR.R nersonnel, property
and records." Sub-paragraph (b) of
Supplement 1, provides that X-2 Branch shall be respons e
for "the institution of such measures as may be necessary
to protect OSS personnel in operations from enemy espionage
and counter-espionage activities.
II. In order to eliminate any possible ambiguity in
the foregoing language, the following shall be understood:
1. "OSS personnel" as used in Paragraph I
is interpreted to include (1) all Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, or civilian personnel regularly employed by or
attached to the Office of Strategic Services, whether
in the U. S. or in the field, and (2) persons who are
employed by such regular OSS personnel in any capacity
which permits them to have knowledge of OSS operations
or intelligence plans or of personnel engaged or being
trained to engage therein.
2. Security Office Functions
(a) The Security Office is responsible
for initially certifying to the security of all pro
ppect ve OSS personnel both in U. S. and in the field
.and for making necessary investigations in connection
therewith.
(b) The Security Office is responsible
for the continuing security of all OSS personnel in the
U. S. and in the field.
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(c) The Security Office will make final
recommendations to the Director, the Strategic Services
Officer, or the Chief of Mission, as the case may be,
for the continuance with or severance from OSS of such
personnel on grounds of security.
(d) The Security Office will check with
the X-2 Branch:
(1) In all investigations in the
U. S. where there is any possibility
of enemy affiliation;
(2) In all investigations in the
field.
(e) The Security Office is under obligation
to consult with the X-2 Branch and keep it fully informed
regarding all OSS personnel suspected of enemy affiliation.
3. X-2 Functions
(a) The X-2 Branch is primarily concerned
with the existence, identity and methods of enemy espionage,
counter-espionage and saboteur agents and protection
against them. It will, in all cases not imperilling
special sources of information.,. promptly inform the
Security Office of evidence of enemy affiliation or as-
sociation of OSS personnel. It may conduct investiga-.
tions either on its own initiative or when suggested by
the Security Office.
(b) The X-2 Branch solely is responsible
for coordinating and controlling the operations of
double agents.
Acting D`i_re_c1_-,_o_r.
`_a" Approved For Release 2007/10/23: CIA-RDP78-04007A000100010011-7
ISF