TRANSFER OF DECLASSIFIED OSS RECORDS TO THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 86
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 22, 2008
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 2, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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CONFIDENTIAL
Executive Registry
84- 1953
2 May 1984 ( jC g3- (O 5
EY ~3'- scg3
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Executive Secretary
FROM: J. Kenneth McDonald
Chief, History Staff
SUBJECT: Transfer of Declassified OSS Records to the National
Archives
REFERENCE: Memo for DCI from Chief, History Staff, dtd 9 December
1983, Subj: Status of Declassified OSS Records
1. This is for your information, to report on the steps taken since
2 February 1984 when you approved the referenced memorandum's
recommendations for transferring CIA's declassified OSS records to the
National Archives.
2. Memorandum of Understanding. In response to Office of Information
Service concerns about the protection of personal privacy in releasing
these records, the General Counsel recommended that CIA and the National
Archives negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding, to detail the National
Archives' procedures for processing the OSS records before making them
available to the public. The National Archives has drafted a proposed
Memorandum of Understanding, and the Agency has provided certain revisions
for their consideration. We expect to agree upon and execute a final
Memorandum of Understanding soon.
3. Final Check and Transfer. On 16 April 1984 three CIA reviewers
began the final check o the approximately 198 cubic feet of OSS records
already at the National Archives. The Information Management Staff plans
to complete this final check by the end of May 1984, and to complete their
final check of the remaining 2800 cubic feet of OSS records by the end of
April 1985. As the final check is carried out over the next year, CIA will
transfer these records in increments to the National Archives.
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4. Notification Abroad. As you know, the Directorate of Operations
is preparing a telegram to stations abroad explaining the release of these
declassified OSS records, so that they can inform their liaison
counterparts--especially those of our Western European wartime allies--of
this decision. The DO also proposes to ask you to inform the Secretary of
State of these records' forthcoming release, so that he may ask U.S.
ambassadors to report this to the foreign ministries of the countries
concerned.
5. Public Affairs. The Director of Public Affairs has met with his
opposite number at the National Archives to consider how best to announce
the opening of these records'to the public. Once CIA completes its final
check in May, the National Archives may need as long as four months to
prepare the first batch of 198 cubic feet for opening to the public. Since
very large numbers of researchers will request access when these records
are opened, the National Archives does not want to announce the records'
transfer until they can set a firm release date for the first batch. The
Director of Public Affairs will consult further with the National Archives
and the interested parties at CIA after the National Archives begins
processing the first batch..
6. Selective Declassification Program. CIA has undertaken to
transfer a large an comprehensive collection of OSS records to the
National Archives over the next twelve months. This will be a major
historical resource, permitting for the first time documented studies of
the role of Anerican intelligence in World War II. The transfer of our OSS
files will thus be both the first step and a long stride in fulfilling your
commitment to the review and release of historically significant records.
J. Kenneth McDonald
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C/HS/DCI/JKMcD:n
(2 May 1984)
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee
1 - DDCI
1 - ExDir
1 - ExSec
1 - D/PubAff
1 - DC /ON
1 - OGC
1 - DDA
1 - D/OIS/DDA
1 - C/IMS/D0
1 - C/HS
1 - HS Chrono
1 - HS Subject File (DCI Corr)
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VIA: Director 'ov erations
t~ F'it_z~ ater
( nut`. Director for Administration
Transfer of OSS Records to the `national Archives
and Records Se-vice
RE'=E.?v :1CE : -iemo for DDA fm 1)/OIS, -ltd 23 Jan 84 , Same Subject
1. As you will note in the reference (attached) , is
co.-cer;?ed. tl at by relea.s .rL7, taxe OSS records we run the ris o : personal
ioonardv. I share that concern but .unto no recoru^.encaation, for a solution.
'1 2ere is only one exarinle in t o attached package. We la-low there
are. MnnV' More in the OSS records but it would require considerable effort
to sort them out. classification reviow of the records did not
address the r.rob1.err of "personal jeopardy."
In year previous O P1111011, you advised us that we could not withhold
release o? t:,,, e records to?der the provisions of the. Privac;! Act. You (i .
allude to the rossi!)ility of sore other authority to withhold these tyres Of
record''.S.
-e remiest an opinion that _:tates definitely that we cannot withhold
rec(~rc;s that rLa?J result. in ""-)erson l jeopardy' or under e at provisions the,,
a ;e witbelt.
cc: '1/1I.
!VITA I H;NT
D):A:HILFitzwater:km( (26 Tan 04)
)istribution:
ri.? - CC via DIX) w/Orio atts
1 - DDO w/cy atts
1. - DDA Subj w/cv atts
1 - DDE, Chrono
1 - FIEF Girono
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S-E-C-R-E-T OIS 84-045
DD'" t
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Administration
FROM:
Director of Information Services
SUBJECT: Transfer of OSS Records to the National Archives
and Records Service
REFERENCES: A. Chief, History Staff memorandum to DCI, dated
9 Dec 1983, subject: Release of Declassified
OSS Records to the National Archives, and Status
of DCI Histories
B. GC memorandum to Executive Director, dated
20 Dec 1983, subject: Release of Declassified OSS
Records to the National Archives
1. We appreciate your providing us the opportunity to review
reference A which relates to the transfer of OSS records to the National
Archives and Records Service (NARS) and their ultimate release to the
public. We offer the following comments for your consideration.
2. In reference A, the Chief, History Staff (C/HS) discusses an
earlier Agency restriction on NARS not to release the names of persons
affiliated with OSS without the consent of the persons involved. This
restriction was apparently imposed by the Directorate of Operations on
the basis of the Privacy Act. By reference B, the General Counsel has
determined that the restriction was erroneous. Our concern, and the
reason for this memorandum to you, arises principally in the area of
individual privacy--an aspect of the transfer of OSS records to NARS that
we do not believe was fully treated in either of the references.
UNCLASSIFIED except where
marked.
WARNING NOTICE
INTELLIGENCE SOURCES
OR METHODS INVOLVED
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a. In reference B, the General Counsel discusses whether
the names of OSS personnel can be protected, by deletion from the
record, on the basis of their status as OSS employees. He concluded
that neither the Privacy Act nor the Freedom of Information Act, nor
for that matter the CIA Act of 1949 and the National Security Act of
1947, justify deletions of names for reasons of the individual's OSS
status alone. The General Counsel did recognize, however, that the
presence of an individual's name in a particular factual context
might raise some privacy concerns.
b. In dealing with the limited question put to him, the General
Counsel would have no reason to know the nature of the disclosures
contained in some of the OSS records. As you might expect, some
records of OSS operations provide very graphic descriptions of
actions taken by OSS personnel. (Unfortunately, within the limited
time available we have not been able to find documented examples of
the type of actions that create concerns discussed elsewhere in this
paper. Should you want some such cases, we will send a team to the
Archives and Records Center to search the OSS files.) These actions
were doubtless necessary and tolerable in a combat environment; when
viewed on the basis of 1984 standards, morality, and peacetime
values, some of these Mon,; miah erceived as needless,
improper, or immoral. 7
c. It is conceivable that the release of records containing
names of OSS personnel could adversely affect their lives or those of
their families and associates. Although many former OSS employees
are proud to acknowledge their affiliation with OSS, some could have
their safety, reputation, or livelihood threatened by public
disclosure of certain types of OSS activities; i.e., disclosures
reflecting upon their character, personal relationships, perceived
aberrant conduct, or participation in activities that today could be
considered questionable or, in the very least, distasteful. Some of
the operations and OSS actions may have already been recited in books
and other publications. Obviously these would not have the same
impact as an official Government disclosure through release of the
records, particularly when the actual names or identities of the
d. On the basis of information in hand, the Agency is not often
going to be able to. prove that damage will occur. However, in many
instances the information available may plainly show that damage to
the individual is a reasonable expectation and should be sufficient
to justify withholding such information from public disclosure.
individuals are made public.
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Moreover, it is not reaching too far to suggest also that the
families of the victims or targets of OSS wartime activity might seek
retribution if the activity is publicly identified. The assessment
of potential damage cannot be made without an actual examination of
the records.
e. Another kind of potential jeopardy is conceivable for
individuals who are characterized in documents as secret adherents or
opponents of specific political beliefs: pro-Nazi., pro-communist, or
pro-U.S. Such documents are included in the OSS records. Public
access to such records could result in intense attention to the
individuals in their current circumstances, and unpleasant
consequences could result for some of them. The implication for such
individuals is even more troublesome in the event the
characterization was false or in error. Here also the possibility of
harm exists. It is likely that such examples are contained among the
OSS records. Needless to say, the possibility that OSS personnel
themselves have also been wrongly disparaged in some records cannot
be ignored. Given it is unlikely that at this late date the Agency
will be able to prove that the information is true or false, the only
remedy is to continue to withhold such records from public
f. While it is not likely that former OSS employees will bring
legal action against the Agency for wrongful disclosure of
information on the basis of an unwarranted invasion of personal
privacy, the possibility cannot be discarded. As pointed out in the
Privacy Act, the right to privacy is a personal and fundamental right
protected by the Constitution. Disclosure of information which harms
the reputation of former OSS employees might provide a viable cause
of action against the Agency.
3. While the protection of the names of OSS employees is our
principal concern, there are others.
S-E-C-R-E-T
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b. A related concern is the general impact that the release of
OSS records might have on other foreign governments and services. As
you know, we have argued forcefully that the release of Agency
information under the Freedom of Information Act jeopardizes our
relations with other foreign services because of the danger that
information sensitive to them might be disclosed. To be consistent
with this argument, we should also ensure that the OSS records
transferred to NARS do not contain information that could adversely
affect the interests of foreign governments and services. Such
information could include documents regarding the activities of
foreign nationals, the revelation of which could impact on U.S.
relations with other governments.
c. In the attachment to reference A, Chief, History Staff notes
that another restriction on NARS is that "foreign government
information must be afforded protection and will not be released
without the prior approval of the government involved" and that NARS
will honor this restriction. Further, he notes in paragraph 5 (b) of
the attachment that the Directorate of Operations proposes to conduct
a final check of OSS records to protect material bearing on foreign
liaison or other politically sensitive areas. For reasons discussed
above, we suggest that this review be thorough enough to include not
only information sensitive to United States interests, but also
information which is sensitive to others and, if disclosed, could
affect our foreign relations.
4. We realize that the review and coordination actions necessary to
protect the privacy of former OSS employees and to maintain relationships
with foreign services cannot be accomplished
hastily. This project will be a laborious, tine-consuming process, given
the care needed to avoid harming individuals, other governments, and the
Agency. The records still can be processed in increments beginning with
the 198 cubic feet already at NARS. However, the document-by-document
review needed for deletion of names necessarily will result in a transfer
rate much lower than the 200 cubic feet-per-month target suggested by the
Agency Historian. The actual transfer rate will depend on the resources
that are committed.
5. In submitting these comments, I do not want to be misunderstood.
We fully understand the Director's desire to make information available
to the public for use by historians. Indeed, the historical access
program discussed in the Director's correspondence with
Senator Durenberger has our full support and OIS is poised to organize
4
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and implement this program when authorized to do so and when provided the
resources. We all recognize, however, that others--not just historians--
will have access to this public information: investigative reporters,
foreign media, hostile intelligence services and "sensational"
journalists. Actions necessary to resolve the concerns discussed above
affect mainly the timing proposed by the Chief, History Staff; they do
not impair or impact on the DCI's commitment to release this material.
6. We believe it our duty to call to your attention the concerns
outlined above so that whatever the DCI decides on the release of the OSS
records he does so with an awareness and understanding of all of the
implications associated with the release.
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Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
21 December 1983
NOTE FOR: DCI
DDCI
- Attached is the General Counsel's answer
to my query as to the background on the
DO restriction on release of former
OSS members' names. The issue is
mentioned in paragraph 2 of Ken McDonald's
basic memo to you.
- I have spoken with C/IMS and with the
DDA (to ensure consistency in FOIA
or Privacy Act cases).
- I concur with Ken's recommendations
(page 7).
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CONFIDENTIAL
Ero:k.-Cco E.,'_;:'1
9 December 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
VIA: Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Executive Secretary
FROM: J. Kenneth McDonald
Chief, History Staff
SUBJECT: Release of Declassified OSS Records to the National
Archives, and Status of DCI Histories
REFERENCE: Memo for C/HS fm DCI, dtd 1 December 1983, Subj:
Declassification of Historically Significant Files
1. On 26 August you asked me to find out what the Agency had done and
what we could do to release the declassified OSS records in CIA's custody to
the National Archives for release to the public. A full report on where we
stand is attached. Its final paragraph includes four specific recommendations
for your approval.
2. In transferring the first increment of CIA's declassified OSS, SSU,
and CIG.records to the National Archives in 1980, the Agency restricted the
release of former OSS members' names. Finding this restriction unworkable,
the National Archives did not process and release the records already
received, and CIA did not send them any more. The Agency's restriction appears
to have been in error, since neither the Privacy Act (which CIA cited) nor any
other law or regulation provides for such a restriction. In light of this,
the Agency's custodian of these records is willing to to withdraw the
restriction, and to transfer the documents in question--following a quick
final check of their declassification--to the National Archives for public
release after final processing by the Archives'. Declassification Division.
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SUBJECT: Release of Declassified OSS Records to the National
Archives, and Status of DCI Histories
3. The reference memorandum also asks where we stand on the Helms and
Colby DCI histories. The Helms DCI history is roughly three-quarters
completed in draft, and should be finished next summer. I would be glad to
send you the completed draft chapters, which Mr. Helms has approved.
Richard Lehman, having been drafted into a highly classified project of
which I understand you are aware, has had to set aside his work on the Colby
DCI history. He does not now expect to be able to complete this until early
1985. Since he is uniquely qualified to do this history and has completed
extensive documentary research, I have agreed to this schedule.
4. I should also report that my deputy,) lis on `v"'
schedule with her one-volume survey history of ce a draft
manuscript by the end of 1984. Staff historian should 25X1
complete a draft of his overhead reconnaissand,e monograp y next March.
J. Kenneth McDonald
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SUBJECT: Release of Declassified OSS Records to the National
Archives, and Status of DCI Histories
C/HS/DCI/JKMcD:nkl~ I(9 Dec 83)
Distribution:
Orig - Addressee (w/att)
f - DDCI (w/att)
1 - ExDir (wVatt)
1 - ExSec (w/att)
1 - C/HS (w/o att)
1 - HS Chrono (w/o att)
1 - HS Subj (w/att)
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9 December 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
THROUGH Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
Executive Director
Executive Secretary
FROM J. Kenneth McDonald
Chief, History Staff
SUBJECT Status of Declassified OSS Records
REFERENCES Memo for C/HS fm DCI, dtd 1 December 1983, Subj:
Declassification of Historically Significant Files
Memo far OCI fm C/HS, dtd $,. December 1983, ' Subj :
Release of Declassified OSS Records to the National
Archives, and Status of DCI Histories
1. This is the full report, requested and transmitted by the
references above, on the present status of the declassified records CIA
holds of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and its other predecessor
organizations. My account goes into some detail, since these records'
release will begin the selective declassification of historically
significant records proposed in your 4 October 1983 letter to Senator
Durenberger. My report is organized into the following sections:
a. The Postwar Disposition of OSS Records
b. CIA's Declassification of OSS Records
c. The Impasse with the National Archives
d. Final Check and Release
e. Discussion
f. Recommendations
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SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
2. The Postwar Disposition of OSS Records:
a. After President Truman dissolved OSS on 1 October 1945, the records
of its Research and Analysis (R&A) Branch went to the Department of
State and its operational and other records went to the Strategic
Services Unit (SSU) in the War Department. When established in
September 1947, CIA inherited OSS's operational records along with the
records of SSU and the Central Intelligence Group (CIG).
b. In 1946 the Department of State transferred its OSS records to the
National Archives. In 1972, at the National Archives' request, CIA
organized a team of four CIA annuitants (who were also OSS veterans) who
reviewed and declassified these OSS R&A Branch records. The National
Archives opened 919 cubic;feet of declassified OSS records to the public
as review was completed between 1974 and 1978. These files, in Record
Group 226, are the most active records in the Military Branch, which
serviced some 2900 requests for them in the first eight months of 1983.
c. Between 1977 and 1982 the National Archives, in cooperation with
the DA's Records Management Division, appraised the approximately 6500
cubic feet of OSS, SSU and CIG records in the custody of the DO's
Information Management Staff. This appraisal determined that
approximately 3300 cubic feet were of permanent value and should be
preserved for eventual transfer to the National Archives. (List
attached.)
3. CIA's Declassification of OSS Records:
a. In December 1978, when President Carter's Executive Order 12065
requiring the systematic declassification review of permanent records
over 20 years old went into effect, the DA's Classification Review
Division formed a team of 15 annuitants (including some who had reviewed
State's OSS records for the National Archives) to review CIA's OSS, SSU
and CIG permanent records. For this review the Classification Review
Division developed extensive specific written guidelines (in
consultation with the team, the DO's Information Management Staff, and
the National Archives) to protect such key factors as sources, methods,
identities and foreign government information.
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SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
b. Working under a single executive order and a single set of Agency
guidelines, this special team reviewed CIA's permanent OSS records (with
the exception of about 100 cubic feet) in a period of just under four
years and at an estimated cost of-about 1500,000. The declassification
review began in January 1979 and was completed in September 1982, with
the following results:
Total records reviewed 3157 cubic feet
Withheld to remain classified 191 cubic feet
Declassified and available for
transfer to National Archives 2966 cubic feet
Thus CIA declassified about 94% of these records and withheld about 6%,
principally to protect sources, foreign government information, and
foreign liaison relationships.
4. The Impasse with the National Archives:
a. In 1979, as the National Archives appraisdl and CIA
declassification review of OSS records proceeded, the DA's Records
Management Division, in coordination with the DO's Information
Management Staff, arranged to begin transferring declassified OSS
records to the National Archives. As a first increment, CIA transferred
198 cubic feet of records on 16 January 1980, for release to the public
after final processing by the National Archives' Declassification
Division.
b. In transferring these records, CIA declared on the National
Archives form (copy attached) that they were subject to the Privacy Act
under System No. CIA-49, and imposed the following two specific.
restrictions on their release to the public:
"Foreign Government Information must be afforded protection and
will not be released without the prior approval of the government
involved.
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SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
"In keeping with the provisions of the Privacy Act information
concerning the affiliation of U.S. persons with OSS may not be
released without the consent of the person involved."
c. As a matter of course the National Archives will honor the first
restriction, to insure the continued protection of foreign government
information as well as other non-OSS originated information still
requiring security classification, as they have done in reviewing the
State Department's OSS files. CIA's names restriction, however, the
National Archives found both unprecedented and unworkable. Unable to,
process these records for release to the public, they discussed this
restriction informally with Agency officers during 1980 and early 1981.
d. On 2 April 1981 the Archivist of the United States, Dr. Robert M.
Warner, wrote to you that in his view the names restriction effectively
negated the original purpose of the records' transfer, "which was to
make public as much of the OSS story as possible, within the limits of
present national security considerations." Noting that screening
documents for individual names would be a resource-consuming operation,
while the documents released would be too fragmentary to be useful to
most researchers, Dr. Warner expressed hope for a reasonable
resolution. Admiral Inman replied that CIA, recognizing the Archives'
difficulty, was prepared to accept the return of these declassified
records until they could be released without the names restriction.
e. The impasse remains. The National Archives still holds, but will
not process or release, the 198 cubic feet of OSS records they received
from CIA in January 1980. For our part, CIA has sent the National
Archives no further OSS records, even though their declassification was
completed in September 1982.
5. Final Check and Release:
a. Having identified CIA's imposition of the names restriction as the
core of the problem, I asked the advice of the Office of General
Counsel. In late September I found that in fact neither the Privacy Act
nor any other law or regulation provides for such a restriction. In
light of this information, the Information Management Staff decided to
reconsider the names restriction.
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SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
b. In a memorandum for the record of 9 November 1983, approved by the
Deputy Director for Operations on 16 November 1983, the Chief of the
Information Management Staff proposes to lift the names restriction
imposed in transferring CIA's first increment of 198 cubic feet of
declassified OSS records to the National Archives on 16 January 1980.
(The restriction on foreign government information would, of course,
remain unchanged.) Having agreed to remove the erroneous Privacy Act
restriction, the Directorate of Operations proposes
"...to transfer the declassified OSS records to the National
Archives in stages, beginning with the least sensitive files.
Prior to the transfer of any records, we would make a final check
to ensure that any sensitive material is protected. This would
consist of an inspection of each box of records to check that
material bearing`,on'foreign liaison or other politically sensitive
areas is protected."
c. The Information Management Staff proposes this final check out of
concern that the original reviewers "may not have taken into full
consideration certain politically sensitive areas that might still be
damaging to the national security and U.S. foreign relations." The
memorandum adds that they expect to accomplish this final check "in
relatively short order", since it will not require the time-consuming
document-by-document inspection the DA's 15-member review team completed
in 1979-82.
6. Discussion:
a. The Directorate of Operations' desire for a final check is, I
believe, largely inspired by genuine apprehension about the the nature
and rigor of the declassification review that the DA's Classification
Review Division team carried out independently in 1979-82. Although the
evidence I have seen convinces me that the original team conducted a
cautious, thorough and highly professional declassification review, I
respect the Information Management Staff's judgment in proposing their
own quick final check of these records.
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SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
b. Before beginning this final check, the Information Management
Staff's reviewers might usefully consult first with the Classification
Review Division on the actual guidelines and procedures used in the
original review, and then with the National Archives' Declassification
Division about the processing (including the protection of foreign
government information) that these records will receive before being
opened to the public. In my view, such consultations should help the
Information Management Staff move rapidly through their final check.
c. To expedite matters, the Information Management Staff proposes to
go to the National Archives to check the 198 feet of OSS records CIA
transferred there in 1980. If CIA lifts its names restriction and
presses on with the transfer of these records, the National Archives'
Declassification Division would expect to,process around.200 cubic feet
a month. This would appear to be a reasonable transfer rate for CIA to
aim for.
d. The long delay in releasing these OSS records illustrates a problem
that the Agency faces in organizing a new program to declassify and
release historically significant records. Since this is not an activity
that engenders much enthusiasm in this organization, direction and
impetus from the center will be needed. On the other hand, even though
the direction is central, the components providing the records must have
a large enough role in. the selection, review and release decisions to
have confidence in the process.
e. Since the opening of these OSS, SSU and CIG records will inevitably
receive a large amount of press attention, I would suggest that the
Agency's Public Affairs Office work with its counterpart at the National
Archives to decide how best to handle this event. Deputy 25X1
Chief, Office of Legislative Liaison, has suggested that the release of
these documents might usefully be timed to support efforts to carry the
FOIA exemption bill through the House of Representatives. In any event,
the opening of these records will demonstrate CIA's good faith in
undertaking to declassify and release selected older records of
historical significance.
CONFIDENTIAL
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
VVI'll .LULH 1 1/lL.
SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
7. Recommendations:
I recommend that you approve the following actions:
a. That CIA notify the National Archives that we have agreed to
withdraw the second, "Privacy Act", restriction on the 198 cubic feet of
declassified OSS records transferred to them on 16 January 1980, with
the provision that the Information Management Staff must carry out a
final check of these records at the National Archives before they can be
released to the public.
b. That the Information Management Staff carry out their final check of
CIA's declassified OSS records as soon as possible, beginning at the
National Archives with those records now held there.
c. That after completing the final check of the records now at the
National Archives, or by no later, than 31 January 1984, the Information
Management Staff propose for your approval a schedule of estimated dates
when the remaining increments will be checked and transferred to the
National Archives.
d. That the Chief, Public Affairs Office, consult with all parties
concerned to determine how CIA should treat the opening of these records
to the public at the National Archives.
J. Kenneth McDonald
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
CONFIDENTIAL
SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
791 U1hhm J.. Casey 2 FEB 1984
Director of Central Intelligence N-te
erector of Central Intelligence hate
CONFIDENTIAL
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
CONFIDENTIAL
SUBJECT: Status of Declassified OSS Records
C/HS/DCI/JKMcD:nkll I (9 Dec 83)
Distribution:
Orig'- Addressee (w/att)
7- DDCI (w/att)
1 - ExDir (w/att)
'1 - ExSec (w/att)
1 - C/HS (w/o att)
1 - HS Chrono (w/o att)
1 CIS Subj (w/att)
CONFIDENTIAL
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
[
F . rV/V-
DC/IIICCT T!1 TQAIUCCCQ A000/1i/All APIn LE::dEBLANK RG
MtL:tIF I Ulu Ktt.UMLI I U NA I TUNA
(1F TNF I INITFf STATFS
r ) A OB NUMBER JOB NUMBER
(See Instructions on reverse)
3- 7f.:3-1 AIX 3 - ~~26 -7f-
A. OFFER OF
A. RECORDS DISPOSITION DIVISION
UNSCHED-
MAILING ADDRESS:
ULED
^
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (NCD)
Central
Intelligence
Agency
RECORDS
WASHINGTON, DC 20408. .
B. MAJOR SUBDIVISION
B. TRANSFER
? SCHEDULE[.
RECORDS
4. CURRENT
LOCATION OF
RECORDS
D. NAME OF UNIT
E. NAME OF PERSON WITH WHOM TO CONFER ABOUT THE F. TELEPHONE (In-
STAT
A. AGENCY SPACE (Give location)
C1a gif .pd Stnrnge in the Washingtnn Metrnnnl itan Area
B. FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER (Identify center and FRC accession no. and enter location)
A. DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS (Give overall title of records, individual documents, dates, and attach Standard Form 136, if records are now in FAG
Continue on separate sheet of paper, if necessary.)
^ SF 135 ATTACHED
? SEPARATE SHEET(S)
ATTACHED
B. NATIONAL ARCHIVES
MAILING ADDRESS: NN$)
? GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (NNB)
WASHINGTON, DC 20408
C. REGIONAL ARCHIVES
^ FEDERAL ARCHIVES AND RECORD CENTER
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
C. ARE RECORDS SUBJECT TO PRIVACY ACT? (If yes,
cite agency system number and F:R_ volume and page
number for most recent notice and.attach a copy)
0. SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS TO BE IMPOSED (Include Justification and
and cite statute or FOI exemption that authorizes such restrictions)
4() 1
J- -
E. RECORDS CONTROL SCHEDUL /ITEM NO. OR F. AGENCY REMARKS:
APPRAISAL JOB NO.
NCI-226-79-1 (Items: 5,13,14,15,17,-
6. STATEMENT OF AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE
(See Attached)
The records descrlGed above ana on the attached 3 pages are hereby offered for deposit with the National Archives of the United States In accordance with
44 U.S.C. 2103. It Is agreed that these records will administered In accordance with the provisions of 44 U.S.C. Chapter 21, 41 C.F.R. 101-11.411,'41 C.F.R.
105-61, and such other rules or regulations as may be prescribed by the Administrator of General Services or the Archly st of the United States. Unless specified
and justified above, there are no restrictions on the use of these records other than the general and specific record group restrictions on the use of records In the
National Archives of the United States that have been published In 41 C.F.R. 105-61.53 or In the Guide to the National Archives of the United States. The Ar-
chivist of the United States may destroy, donate, or otherwise dispose of any containers, duplicate records, unused forms, blank stationery, nonarehival printed
or processed material, or other nonrecord material in any manner authorized by law or regulation without further consent of this agency.. I certify that any re-
strictions specified by this agency on the use of these records are In conformance with the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552 and that 1 am authorized by the head of
this agency to act for Me agency on matters pertaining to the disposition of agency records.
STAT
A. ACTION
B. NARS CONCURRENCES
C. FOR MARS USE
'
INITIALS
UNIT
DATE
INITIALS
UNIT
DATE
ONLY
L
JAPPROVED
^
-
Q Q
DISAPPROVED
tJ.TVAPRKS R
EGARDING DIS
POSITION/SHIPP
ING
8. RECORDS
RECEIVED NARS 0-
DEPOSITORY
jp'_~Z~ /41/_//~
TRANSFER
DATE
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
C INSTRUCTIONS
This form may be'initiated by either the transferring agency or a Federal records center.
INITIATED BY AGENCY:
Agency completes items 1 through 6 (see specific instructions be-
low). Item 6 must be signed and dated. Send original and 4 cop-
ies to.the appropriate address in item 2 sixty days before planned
date of transfer.
INITIATED BY FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER:
Federal records center completes items 1, 2, 3A-F, if known, 4B,
5A and B; D and E and sends original and 3 copies to transferring
agency records officer.
Agency completes/corrects items 3, 5A, 5C-F, and 6. Item 6 must
be signed and dated. Agency sends original and 3 copies to the ad-
dress indicated in item 2 sixty days before planned date of trans-
fer.
If 1 B is checked, a reference to the records control schedule nurn-
ber or NABS appraisal job number must be included in 5E. (Item
1 B may be checked for unscheduled records if an appropriate ap-
praisal job is cited to reflect an accretion according to prior evalua-
tion of the series).
When 1B is checked, requests are sent to the National Archives
(NNB) unless the records control schedule or appraisal job speci-
fies a regional archives or Presidential library.
When 2C is checked, include in that block address (number and
street, city, State, and zip code) of the regional archives branch be-
ing offered the records.
Fully identify the agency, subdivision, and unit that created or
originated the records (not the agency records office). If this is
not possible, or a successor unit or agency is transferring the rec-
ords, then explain under Agency Remarks, item 5F.
Identify the agency location or the particular records center in
which the records are located and provide FRC accession number.
The stack location in the center may also be provided.
5A. Describe the records. If the records are in a Federal records
center, attach SF 135. Arrangement statement must be provided
and enough description to substantiate responses in items 5B (with
volume for each item) 5C and 5D.
5B. Estimated volume may be indicated in either cubic feet or
cubic meters.
5C. Privacy Act notices must be cited for records subject to the
Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and should be attached.
5D. Specific restrictions must be fully justified and may not vio-
late the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
. If the records have previously been scheduled in a records con-
trol schedule, the schedule and item number must be cited, and the
schedule itself may be attached. If the records are not scheduled
but a part of the series has been appraised as permanent in the past
and transferred to a NABS depository, then cite the appraisal job
number as authority and treat as a scheduled offer.
Signature and title of agency records officer is placed here and nor-
mally is not the name or office given in item 3.
NABS will indicate approval and provide shipping or delivery in-
structions, or disapproval and recommend appropriate disposition
of the records. NABS will indicate quantity of offer.aporoved, dis-
approved and for which action is deferred.
If NARS approves the transfer, the Office of the National Archives
sends SF 258 to the agency (or to the Federal records center if the
records are in a center) with a transfer date and shipping or delivery.
If NABS disapproves the transfer, the Records Disposition Division
returns SF 258 to the agency with suggestions for disposition of the
records. .
After receipt of records by a NARS depository NABS will sign and
return one copy of SF 258 to the agency.
eTare?inon enou 158 BACK (REV. 1O-7e)
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 Approved For Release 2008/08/22 : CIA-RDP86M00886R002100140007-0
Attachment to:
D. SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS TO BE IMPOSED
Foreign Government Information must be afforded protection
and will not be released without the prior approval of the
government involved.
In keeping with the provisions of the Privacy Act infor-
mation concerning the affiliation of U.S. persons with OSS may
not be released without the consent of the person involved.
NOTE: This offering consists of CIA predecessor
originated records (OSS, SSU, CIG) declassified under Agency
authority - HQ - 70.2 dated 14 May 1979. Some Security Classified
records originated by other agencies are interspersed throughout
the files.
STAT
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 STSitrr acme: Directorate of Opcrztioos ..,cords System.
System locatloa:
Ca:.t: l Iotc:::e:ace Agency
Washington. D.C. 20505. Attu; Individuals who
Categorks of tadl7Sdusls covered by the sy
arc of foreign intelligence or foreign counterinccnllig or eeo n interest to
the CIA, either because of their actual.. app P
sedation with foreign intelligence or forign counterintelligence ac-
tivities, or because they are of actual or potential use to CIA.
Categoriee of records in the system: Categories of records include
administrative, management and policy, peoreign i lity. and
and in personal subjects based primarily on foreign
foreign counterintelligence reports-
Authority for nralnteaaace of the system*
1947, as Amended-F'ublie Law 80-253.
Central Intelligence Agency Act of 19491 as Amended.-Public
PolkSes and practices for storing, re[ wTusg, ?~
and disposing of records In the system:
Storage: Paper, microforms, and magnetic media.
Law 81-110. -
Section 506(a). Federal Rec:srds Act of 1950 (44 U.S.C., Section
3101).
immigration and Na'innaiity Act, ns Amended-Public Law 82-
414.
L't tile tacluding cateSo-
)aootine nxs of reeordr
zip of users and the oseS of each uses: To provide information
within CIA and to selected ected Federal agencies and military depart-
ments for the conduct of foreign intelligence operations.
To provide information within CIA and to the FBI. other
selected Federal agencies, and military departments for the conduct
of foreign counteri,ttetligenca operations.
To conduct national Agency name checks for other agencies as
required by National Security Council Directive and the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act of 1952 in the interest of the security of
the United Stites.
To provide information to the Immigration and Naturalization
Service. be disclosed as a
A record from this system of records may c civil,
"rouiinc use" to a Federal, state or local agency manta-i-8
criminal or other relevant er.fercement information or other per-
tinent info ma ion, such as current licenses, if necessary to obtain
information relevant to a Agency decision concerning the hiring or
rtention of an employee, the issuance of a security tlearaoce, the
yeti g of a coetract, or the issuance of a license, (rant or other
benefit shed raison
-f., provide information to U.S. and, thrcj ghS estaestablished she security
checoels. selected ,foreign government Sri
Or criminal Cases. fin. rrtain ng,
Retrkvabiltty: by name.
Safeguards: Strict controls have been imposed to minimize the
risk of compromising information held. Employees are allowed rte-.21
Cuss to the m4ex aelU lilies v::ir
There are degrees of compar'.mentatron which are designed to limit
access to information on a strict "necd-to-know" basis. Records
are kept of each disclosure of a record to another agency as
required by this act. roved records
dispos tit nn t heduless.. "Destruction is by pulpitz, degaussing. Or
buruing.
System mansler(s) and address:
Chic[. Information Services Staff. DDO
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505.
NottfkiUoo protrdur:: Individuals seeking to learn if this system
of records ?:ontsins information about them should direct their
inquiries to:
Information and Privacy Coordinator
Central intelligence Agency
Washington. D.C. 20505.
Identification requirements arc specified in the CIA rule
published in the Federal Register (32 CFR 1901.13). Individuals must
comply with these rules.
Record acres procedures: Request from individuals should be ad
dressed as indicated in the notification section above.
CoattatIng record procedures: The Central Intelligence Agency
regulations for access to individual records, for disputing the con
tents thereof, and for appealicg an initial determiuation by CIA
concerning access to or correction of records, are promulgated
the CIA rules section of the Federal Rc. tcr.
Record source categories: Other U.S. agencies and organizations. j
Foreign sources and individuals.
Predecessor organizations.
Overt publications.
Private citizens.
State and local agencies.
`715.'d71iS1~1~i74.4`J47:6~?n cc; +`4Y-c rl `saT^~-.