OS - THE CASE AGAINST WILLIAM CORSON<SANITIZED>

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06619102
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2020
• Case Number: F-2013-01784
• Publication Date: June 12, 1989

CApproved for Release: 2020/01/15 C06619102
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12 June 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Special Activities Division
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Special Investigations Branch
Special Activities Division
The Case Against William Corson
1. Central to the James S. Kronthal case is
the allegation that William Corson had worked for
the Agency in the past, was befriended by DCI Allen Dulles, and
was an unofficial aide for Dulles. Also alleged, was that Corson
and Justin O'Donnell debriefed Otto John and
received information that Kronthal was a penetration of the Agency
by the Soviet intelligence service.
2. A review of information held by the Agency on Corson, as
well as interviews with current and former Agency employees does
not support these allegations.
3. Corson has neither an Agency personnel nor 201 file,
indicating he was never an employee, source, or access agent. The
201 referred to in various memoranda in Corson's Security File is
his US military personnel file, also known as a 201.
4. Corson's Security File was opened on 19 May 1969 and
based on his claim that he was affiliated with the Agency. In an
18 May 1969 WASHINGTON POST "Potomac" article, Corson related:
"Not long after the Korean conflict, Corson took a 'quick
course in Chinese' and began to fulfill special assignments
for 'the Company.' Six, nine, twelve-month assignments in
'Asia -- that's all anybody needs to know -- as far west as
Pakistan."
Certainly, for a man who made his name exposing inequities in the
US Government, hiding his work with the Agency, does not fit his
persona.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
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SUBJECT: The Case Against William Corson
5. In a 28 August 1969 interview with CBS television, Corson
was asked if he ever worked for the CIA and replied:
"Well, I -- I have done some things for the Agency."
6.
truth.
commendation for Corson and
assistance and cooperation
Thouah evasive,
the
above answer actually contains some
recommended a letter of
other officers for their
two
n essence he has done "some
things" for the Agency.
7. In early 1979, the Agency Inspector General's Office and
SAG interviewed James Jesus Angleton, former C/CI Staff,
concerning the Paisley case.
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It seem
odd that Angleton never mentioned any Corson connection with
Dulles or the Agency, particularly since he was in a position to
know.
8. Corson is equally vague about his Agency connection in his
books. "The New KGB" notes that Corson "has served in a number of
intelligence assignments that put him in contact with the
Japanese, British, and Korean services, plus a number of
high-level assignments in Washington." Corson's military record
does bear out intelligence-related jobs at the Naval School for
Naval intelligence, as Amphibious Intelligence officer in Japan,
and as Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Intelligence & Force
Effectiveness Division, certainly all positions where he would
come into contact with Agency officers. "Widows" makes no claims
as to Corson's association with the Agency.
9. Ed Sayle, UDAC, claims "sources" that allege Corson worked
for DCI Dulles in 1953-55 and reportedly lived with Dulles in
Georgetown for a period. During the 1953-55 time frame, Corson
was assigned to the US Naval School (Naval Intelligence). It is
particularly odd that Corson's military record does not reflect
detached service, nor do Agency records reflect association with
the CIA. It is probable that he could have been detached without
any record, but unlikely in the bureaucracies of the US Government.
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SUBJECT: The Case Against William Corson
10. In fact, the Agency has gone on record on several
occasions stating Corson has had not Agency connection.
a. A 6 June 1969 MFR from SRS, responding to a request from
the Office of the Assistant to the DCI (DCI was then Richard
Helms), and written by Ed Sayle mentions only DOD sources of
information and Corson's "apparent impersonation" as a CIA
employee.
b. A 9 September 1969 memo to the D/OS remarks in both
paragraphs two and four that there is no indication that
Corson had ever been employed by the Agency.
c. Al2 November 1973 MFR from
not/has never been an Agency employee.
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that Corson is (b)(3)
d. A 28 May 1987 SRD case analysis report notes that Corson
has never been employed by the Agency, nor has been granted
any clearance for any use.
11. While none of this information totally denies Corson's
affiliation with the Agency, it surely weighs heavily on/the side
of denial. Until Corson comes out and says he worked ,46r Dulles
or for/with the Agency, it should be assumed that The
evidence certainly points in that direction.
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