DO SUPPORT FOR HSCA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81M00980R001800090041-9
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Sequence Number: 41
• Content Type: MEMORANDUM FOR

Approved For Release 2006112i@AjC
Ar0980 R001800090041-9
etCR600
COPY
OLC 78-2090
6 June 1978
MEMORANDUIIII FOR: Deputy Director for Operations
FROM : S. D. Breckinridge
Principal Coordinator HSCA
SUBJECT : DO Support for HSCA
1. We spoke previously the other day, in principle, about
the need for manpower to eliminate the backlog on HSCA requests.
As I have gotten into it, there is a question of both organization and
manpower and this memorandum presumes to suggest how it might be
handled.
2. At present, Norbert Shepanek serves under the SA/DO/O as
the Directorate focal point for HSCA requests. Russell Holmes resides in
CI Staff with the so-called Oswald files; he also has come to serve as
the central file point in the DDO for classified documents assembled for
review in response to HSCA requests.
3. Shep currently has the support of a secretary. His space
consists of hi's own office and reception area, and a reading area for
HSCA investigators with four offices and an outer office space. Russ
has one Ops Officer and one IA. Russ has three offices, including a large
outer office area. In essence, Shep and Russ have come to work as a
team, looking to. Bill Sturbitts in LA Division to provide the support on
the area of largest interest.
4. There are some 250 unfulfilled requests dating back to January.
Reportedly, the larger share of this backlog is in IMS. DCD, by virtue of
its physical separation, presents a special problem in terms of timely
response.
5. It is understood that SA/DO/O is being reorganized with
Don Gregg to serve as Eloise Page's Deputy, possibly affecting
Shep's physical location.
6. Given the foregoing, and my evaluation of current and future
needs, I have the following to suggest:
a. Shep Shepanek and Russ Holmes be considered a unit
to serve as DO f
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point and expediters, with file and r
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b. Shep and Russ be responsible exclusively for HSCA
support.
c. Shep and Russ retain their present or equivalent space.
d. Shep and Russ remain subordinate to Don Gregg and Eloise
Page for purposes of having some senior support for requirements.
e. Shep and Russ have an initial staff of five - - one secretary,
two clericals, two IA's.
f. Bill Sturbitts be given one full-time IA, experienced in Cuban
materials, to work exclusively on HSCA requests.
g. Shep and Russ have authority to establish priorities for research
and assembling of files, and for sanitization of those notes of HSCA
investigators to be transmitted out of the Headquarters Building. IMVIS
should give first priority to backlog requests until completed, and adjust
the priority thereafter to insure reasonable currency.
h. As this is a preliminary estimate, it should be understood that
additional personnel may be identified as needed for assignment to this work.
For instance, if we have to keep open the reading area after normal hours,
additional personnel will have to be made available.
7. I would like to be able to work directly with this little unit, in order
to stay apprised of how things develop. I would also like to be in a position
to work with Shep and Russ in developing procedures that will insure the
best response feasible.
8. As the HSCA charter expires at the end of this year, with the resulting
work requirements probably intensifying as we approach the end of the
investigation, it would be appreciated if both Shep and Russ would remain
available on a full-time basis until the end of the year; I understood that
Shep plans to retire the end of December, while Russ' present plans call
for his retirement at the end of September.
Distribution:
Orig - Adse
1 - OLC/Subj
1 - OLC/Chrono
0LC/SDB/ksn (5 Jun 78)
CU ID TIA
Approved For Release 2006/12/06: CIA-RDP81M00980R001800090041-9