LETTER TO THE HONORABLE ALLEN W. DULLES FROM ALVIN F. COBURN, M.D.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000200070003-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 10, 2003
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: December 19, 1959
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2003/03/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000200070003-4
NEW YORK MEDICAL COLLEGE - METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL
ROOM 709
1901 FIRST AVENUE, NEW YORK 29, N. Y.
Rheumatic Fever Prevention Program
DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS
ALVIN F. COBURN, M.D. December 19, 1959 TRafalgar 6-4333
The Honorable Allen W. Dulles, Director
Central Intelligence
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Dulles:
Sir William Osler used to tell his students at Johns Hopkins,
"The flighty purpose n'er is o'ertook unless the deed go with it. " Not
having learned this advice thoroughly, I have delayed in writing this
letter from. November 23rd until today.
As one of the "Consultants" to whom you spoke at dinner on
Sunday evening, November 22nd, I want to thank you. You sensed, I
trust, how much we enjoyed and appreciated your giving us so generously
of your time and knowledge. Just prior to the dinner, when the elbows
were being lifted, I told two of your Princeton followers, Dr. George
Finney and Dr. Ridgeway Trimble, that in my books the war in the Pacific
was won for the Navy Medical Corps by a man in Switzerland who later also
helped us win (?) the peace. Then I told George and Ridge about my war-
time association with materials supplied to us, according to the scuttlebutt,
by a gentleman named Allen Dulles., They were fascinated and told me that
I should write this account out for you. When, during the dinner, you
mentioned that you had been one of Bill Donovan's men in Switzerland during
the early part of World War II, George Finney, who was sitting next to me
at dinner, looked up. I whispered to him, "Maybe the scuttlebutt was right!"
If by any chance you are interested in the high regard we had for the activities
of Mr. Allen W. Dulles in 1942-43, I shall be delighted to summarize your
exploits briefly even though this may shock your "modesty" ! I hope that this
letter will not seem disrespectful. At least it will convey the appreciation of
one in your audience.
With all good wishes in the critical work that you are doing for
our country and with deep respect,
DOCLMIENT f10-
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Sincerely,
Alvin F. Coburn, M. D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
CC: Dr. George Finney
Appro d Flor f L';2HOT/DtMb!eCIA-RDP80R01731 R000200070003-4
 Approved For Release 2003/03/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000200070003-4
TRANSMITTAL SLIP
DATE
16 Jan60
TO: Exec Registry (Dave)
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
REMARKS:
Pls file th=is with 60-111/A , and
correct the distribution block on your
copy to read "ER (w/basic)" , rather
than 1G. Also, make sure the "DCI"
copy is corrected in the same manre r
when it is returned to you for file -
at least I presume it is returned to ER
I have advised the other recipient
-- Grogan andiI
FROM:
ROOM NO.
BUILDING
EXTENSION
FORM NO .nA 1 REPLACES FORM 36-8
1 FEB 55 24 WHICH MAY BE USED.
STAT
STAT
Approved For Release 2003/03/28 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000200070003-4