DEATH BENEFITS FOR DECEASED PARA DISPATCH OFFICERS PROJECT CYHOPE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03126634
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: October 23, 2023
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2023
• Case Number: F-2017-01894
• Publication Date: August 31, 1961

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31 August 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT:
OGC 61-1503
Death Benefits for Deceased Para Dispatch
Officers Project CYNOPE
REFERENCE: Memorandum for DC! from Acting Chief,
DPI). dated 30 August 1961, same subject
as above
1. This memorandum is for Information only.
Z. Referenced memorandum recommends that the Director of
Central Intelligence approve payment to each of the three families of a
benefit not to exceed $20,000. the exact amount to be predicated on the
Air America contract under vrinich the It,.. individuals were ostensibly
employed. While this Office has no Legal objection to these payments.
I believe there are certain facts which are pertinentt in any consideration
el death benefits to be provided.
3. Under the Agency contracts which these three employees
signed, it is provided that the terms of that contract are to govern
Further, the contract provides for death or disability benefits in accord-
ance with the provisions of the Federal Employees Compensation Act.
In all of the cases at hand, no wives or children are involved and to date
it has not been disclosed that there are any dependent parents involved.
Were there wives, the liability for benefits would be far in excess of the
proposed maximum of $20. 000. You will recall that in the case of the
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it was necessary for us to establish a trust fund
capitalised at $750.000 to provide an equivalent of FEC benefits.
The maximum payment under FECA is $525.00 per month to a widow
continuing as long as she is unremarried and as long as there are
children under 10. When tile children reach 18, the amounts generally
will be reduced.
4. Under the facts in the present cases the Government legally
has no obligation to the families of the three employees other than
accrued salary. Therefore, any death benefits are being paid solely
on the basis of security considerations and in this regard
this Office has no legal objection if it is determined to be necessary.
On the other hand, if any el these three men had wives, children or
dependent parents, the amounts owed by the Government would be
considerably in excess of the amounts proposed to be said
6. More careful planning of employment arrangements, having
in mind the problems of payments for death. disability or prisoner status
can contribute significantly to greater security and reduce tremendously
the Agency's administrative burden, and avoid unnecessary outside legal
assistance at considerable cost.
Distribution:
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- DPD/ Fin.
1- AC/ DPD
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Wan:
JOHN S. WARNER
cting General Counsel
Admin/ DPD
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rnreato! of
Demsfits tor
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Pow* Dispatch Officers,
lo Mt* asmarcilom contains in periwig*8 a
fur the approval at the Director of Central Intelltomes.
2. OA 13 hew* 1961* three contract employees et DID vere
instantaneously killed in the crash of en Air laariesk :0.116 emmeamil
4dinue. min carcirere ermenee into a ridge for rotor* ee yet
unknown. There have be conflicting reports firm eya witnesses
ehich Indicated the aircraft vas in trouble but yerstierr or not from
engine failure or mow fire or both hes not yet beet fully determined.
In addition, to the ODS.s, both the Papt a C00014114 Went killed.
I At the tta� at the Mont, the eireratt was eagegad
in folfilling the emeritmemte at en wen Air halm (schatitiary
lererica) contract with the *kilted States Oper�iitteme Missies in
Lame.
3. The deeemad erplayees lierriell Debealtres first
employed 3. October we; min . first asp/Aged 27 Jemsery 1960;
willias D. Berea. Mitt miplmed 30 annary 191.. Didminks ad Lewis
are :rat Lempeseas, Tames and Ileven is free hineritls liesthington.
The bodies Imre flow bac* to the Gaited, States eavit burial
to Axe* a Ardmiti casimerimitione, indgimity and annouacemests
mere nada by Air Aiscrlea either in the field or teem the Washington
office Mr. George Doole. Prior to the return of the bodies.
to assist in the eettlescat of the estate*. The t-4 It.. mere advised
that the discusnices mad include asses of **Uri** due. bank
aecounts. benefits. eta.
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8. It is accortingly reecemended that the Director of Central
Intelligence Moron the PaPaont to ea0 at the three fosilles
benefit not to exceed $20,000, the enact asisent to 'be predicated on
payments mole in aseardenee with the Air America emetrect under *Leh
the employees ewe presumed to bare been employed.
Tracy
C. To& itARNIzs
Acting Deputy Director (none)
hn S. Warner -- See attached memo. 31 August 1961
for A. itOtticroit
amoral Counsel
W.
Colonel, U3AF
Acting Chiefs DPD-DWP
L. K.' White
Deputy Director (Support)
8
Recancodation in Feregreph/APPRorm:
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6 SEP 196
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