OS - KRONTHAL, JAMES SPEYER <SANITIZED>

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06619098
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2020
• Case Number: F-2013-01784
• Publication Date: June 20, 1989

Approved for Release: 2020/01/09 C06619098
SECRET
20 June 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: KRONTHAL, James Speyer
(b)(3)
1. On 20 June 1989, the undersigned interviewed Mr Richard
Helms, former DCI and C/Ops at the time of Subject's suicide. Mr
Helms was met at his office at 1627 "K" Street, Suite 402, NW, WDC.
2. Mr Helms mentioned that he met Subject about 1942 when
both men were serving in the OSS. He and Subject served in the
various organizations that eventually became the CIA.
3. Mr Helms was not aware of the 1951 State Department
investigation into homosexual activity at bui(b)(1)
did remember that a "GI" alleged instances of HA with Subject (b)(3)
while He also recalled an "endless stream" of cases (W(1)
involving homosexual activity and allegations of communist (W(3)
sympathies while he was C/Ops.
4. On 31 March 1953, Helms recalls instructing
to call the police and give them information pertaining to
Subject, upon the discovery of Subject's suicide. He did not call
anyone in the DC Metro Police concerning the case and noted that
there were no established procedures on discovering the death of
an Agency employee.
5. Helms said he did not recall ever receiving the suicide
note Subject addressed to him. It was, however, read to him,
possibly by the police, but he does not remember. He said the
note did not go into why Subject committed suicide, but recalled
it said he was distressed by work. Helms believes he left the
note so that it would not be thought he was murdered.
6. Upon being questioned about the possibility that the
Soviets co-opted Subject or that Subject was a Soviet mole in the
Agency, Helms noted that it was highly unlikely that Subject was a
co-optee and it was never an issue during the 1953 investigation. '
Helms noted that while Subject was in the OSS NODX1)
was an analyst, and was involved with paper in the office and haox3)
nothing to do with the Soviets. He further remarked that Subject
had no motive for working for the Soviets; he was an American Jew,
well-to-do, and not aligned politically with communists.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
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(b)(1)
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Approved for Release: 2020/01/09 C06619098
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SUBJECT: KRONTHAL, James Speyer
Even if Subject had been blackmailed by the Soviets for being a
homosexual, suicide would not have solved the problem, but
probably brought it to light.
7. Mr Helms severely criticized William Corson and remarked
that Corson was never an Agency employee, never affiliated with
the Agency, or never worked with the Agency. As concerns the
allegation that Corson was an "unofficial" Dulles aide and lived
with Mr Dulles, Mr Helms remarked that he knew Allen Dulles very
well, had known him since the OSS days, and regularly saw Dulles
at work and socially. Helms never saw Corson or heard of him
during the Dulles tenure. He termed this allegation "nonsense."
8. Helms also volunteered that Subject was not the close
friend of Dulles as Widows alleges. Subject had worked for Dulles
Subject was certai(b)(1)
not close enough to Dulles to have dinner with him as the book (b)(3)
contends. Helms also noted that Subject was not in line for a
high position in the Agency. He said these allegations are
definately "not true." He also asserted that he doubted Corson
had the Dulles dairy.
9. Helms remarked that following a NEW YORK TIMES
Subject and the book Widows, Subject's sister,
telephoned him and and was very upset that the book made so many
unfavorable comments about her brother being an agent for the
Soviets.
article on
10. Mr Helms recommended that SAD may wish t'o tal o William
J. Hood, a close friend of Subject and also
a close friend and William's ex-wife.
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Approved for Release: 2020/01/09 C06619098