OS - MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06619105
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 6, 2020
• Case Number: F-2013-01784
• Publication Date: May 23, 1989

Approved for Release: 2020/01/03 C06619105
23 May 1989,,
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Received a call from Ed Sayle, UDAC, re the issue of whether William
R. Corson worked for CIA, as he claims. Ed talked to several "sources" who
were around during the Dulles era and provided the following information:
Corson met Dulles in Korea and kept up the friendship. When he was
assigned to the Commandant, Marine Corps Headquarters office in Washington, he
paid his respects to Dulles. Dulles suggested he come to work at CIA and,
apparently by phone, asked the Commandant to assign him. He is said to have
worked for Dulles from 1953-55. He also is said to have lived at Dulles'
house during that time. Corson attended the evening sessions of the "brain
trust of CIA" at Dulles home, where the direction of intelligence was shaped.
He is also said to have been a hatchet man for Du1lsiid
t Asia, including a trip that was to see if
should be removed from his post.
Ed also said that according a source who gave him the information only on
the condition that the source remain confidential, the allegations involving
James Speyer Kronthal, who committed suicide, was provided by Dr. Otto John,
former head of the West German intelligence service. John either defected or
was kidnapped by East Germans. He surfaced later, said he escaped, was
debriefed by CIA, had credibility problems, and disappeared into the
woodwork. His case was handled by Justin O'Donnell and Bill Corson.
UDAC is requesting that Security determine if the information is still
classified and if so, to go to Justice with a request for an investigation.
Justice can then arrange for Corson to be interviewed. An alternative may be
to ask OGC to pursue civil litigation for a breach of security agreement, if
it can be determined that there is one.
Sharon Basso
Approved for Release: 2020/01/03 C06619105