LETTER TO HONORABLE HERBERT BROWNELL, JR. FROM ALLEN W. DULLES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R000700170093-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2003
• Sequence Number: 93
• Publication Date: May 11, 1955
• Content Type: LETTER

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11 May 1955
Honorable Herbert Brownell,,- Jr.
The Attorney General
Washington, D . C C.
I called you back today to answer your telephone inquiry of yesterday,
but as you were out of town. I am giving you a report by letter.
Attached is the Executive Order establishing the '"N onal Security
edal,' together with a letter from the then President to the Director of
ral intelligence dated 19 January 1953, authorizing the Director to make
in accordance with the regulations. No further rules
Lions have been promulgated under the Executive Order as none
have seemed necessary.
It seems obvious to we that the delegation at authority to the Director
of Central intelligence in no way impairs the right of the. President to make
a direct award of the Medal as he may desire.
Personally. I should be very glad to see the award made and have
available the necessary modal, ribbon and certificate; the citation could
be prepared as desired by the President.
So far only four awards have been made. These include Bedell Smith
and three other persons whose names I could give you orally. but whose
identity should not be divulged at this time. This raises the only problem
I see in making the award you proposed; namely, the withholding of the
names of all other recipient* with the possible exception of Bedell. if the
President and you felt that this could be done. I see no obstacle whatever
to proceeding to carry out the suggestion. Certainly the proposed recipient
r iclyr deserves this tenor.
Faithfully yours.
. Pollee
d-10 '
Encl en 1
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C t P Y
TH WHITE HOUSE
Washington. P. C.
3anu,aY 19, 1933
Dear Mr. Director:
Pursuant tc Executive Order 10431 sigsed by me this
date, I hereby authorise yen to make swards of the National
Security Medal in accordance with the attached regulations,
which I hereby approve.
You are also authorised to prepare for the President's
h further rules and regulations not inconsistent
with the provisions of Executive Order 10431, as may be necessary
from time to time to accomplish its purposes.
Very sincerely youre.
/*I Harry Truman
Honorable Walter B. Smith
Director of Central Intelligence
Washington, D. C.
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(From the
FEDERAL REGISTER
Volume IS, Number 14
Washington, Thursday, January +72, 1953
Page 437)
EXECUTIVE ORDER 10431
NATIONAL SECURITY M =AL
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United
States and as Commander in Chief of the armed forces of the United States,
it is hereby ordered as follows.
1. There is hereby setablisbed a medal to be known as the National
Security Medal with accompanying ribbons and appurtenances. The medal
and its appurtenances shall be of appropriate design, approved by the
Executive Secretary of the National Security Council.
The National Security medal may be awarded to any person, 'without
regard to nationality,. including members of the armed forces of the United
States, for distinguished achievement or outstanding contribution on or ter
July Z6, 1947, in the field of intelligence relating to the a:tional security.
3. The decoration esstablisshed by this order shall be awarded by the
President of the United States or, under regulations approved by him, by
such person or persons as he may designate.
4. No more than out National Security Medal shall be awarded to any
son, but for subsesquent services justifying an sward, a suitable
device may be awarded to be worn with the Medal.
the armed forces of the United States who are awarded
fished by this order are authorized to wour the medal and
ribbon symbolic of the e'awsrd, as may be authorized by uniform regulations
pproved by the Secretary of Defense.
6. The decoration established by this order may be awarded posthumously.
HARRY S. TRUMAN
WHITE HOUSE,
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January 19, 1953
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{Freese The
FEDERAL RENTER
Volume 18. Number 14
Washington. Thursday, January 22,
pages 437 and 439
EXEUUTIVE ORDER 10431
* * a
Regulations Governing the Award of
the NATIONAL SECURITY MEDAL
Pursuant to Paragraph 2 of the Executive Order 104331. the following
e hereby issued to govern the award of the National Security
1. The National Security Medal may be awarded to any person without
regard to nationality, including a member of the Armed Forces of the Uaited
States, who. on or alter 26 July 1947, bas made an outstanding contribution
he National intelligence effort. This contribution, may consist of either
onally meritorious service performed in a position of high responsibility
-.....m or of an act of valor requiring personal courage of a high degree and complete
disregard of personal safety.
The National Security Medal with accompanying ribbon and appurtenances,
be of appropriate design to be approved by the Executive Secretary of the
National Security Council.
urity Medal shall be awarded only by the President
or his designee for that purpose.
4. Recommendation* may be submitted to the Executive Secretary of the
y Council by any individual having personal b nowedge of the
exceptionally meritorious conduct or act of valor of the candidate
he performance of outstanding services, either as an eyewitness or from the
testimony of others who have personal knowledge or were eyewitnesses. Any
recommendations, shall be accompanied by complete documentation, including
where necessary, certificates, affidavits or sworn transcripts of testimony.
b recommendation for an award shall show the exact status, at the time of
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the rendition of the service on which the recommendation is based, with
respect to citisenship, employment, and all other material factors, of
the person who is being recommended for the National Security Medal.
5. Each recommendation shall contain a draft of an appropriate
citation to accompany the award of the National Security Medal.
Approved:
HARRY S. TRUMAN
January 19, 1953
F`. R. Dec. 53-785; Filed, Jan. 19, 1953; 4:09 p.
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