HISTORICAL PROGRAMS IN THE DIRECTORATES FOR INTELLIGENCE, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND SUPPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00764R000400050017-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 22, 1998
• Sequence Number: 17
• Publication Date: December 13, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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MEMORANDUM FOR: The Executive Director-Comptroller
THRU Chief, Historical Staff/DCI
SUBJECT Historical Programs in the Director-
ates for Intelligence, Science and
Technology, and Support
1. On 1 June 1966 I returned to the Agency at
your suggestion under contract to initiate and coordi-
nate historical programs in the areas of the DDI, DDS&T,
and DDS. The Clandestine Services had already inaugura-
ted a comprehensive program for the writing of histories
covering their many activities and operations. After a
year and a half their program was well advanced and was
showing satisfactory results. It was your idea that as
the Agency neared its nineteenth birthday, the other
Directorates should follow suit.
2. Needless to say, initially the experience was
rather frustrating. I talked with the three Deputy
Directors and many senior officials in their offices.
Everyone appeared to recognize the need for histories,
but no one appeared to be anxious to do anything about
it. At this point I am afraid that histories just repre-
sented additional papers that had to be written.
3. However, after your memorandum to the three
Deputy Directors of 1 August 1966, things began to move
ahead. The three Deputies issued notices setting up
Historical Boards and, in some cases, nominated Histori-
cal Officers (see Attachment A).
4. The three Boards are pretty well agreed that for
each of their major components, there should be:
a. A fairly lengthy chronological narrative
history.
b. A number of monographs or historical studies
dealing with special activities or operations.
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These have been suggested as separate papers
so that the logical flow of the narrative will
not be interrupted by lengthy dissertations on
specific and often unusual activities.
5. The three Boards are further in substantial
agreement in regard to how the histories should be
written. In general, it would be impractical to ask
staff officers to write lengthy narratives in addition
to their other duties. In regard to these narratives,
it has therefore been agreed that:
a. Each major component will attempt to
identify capable staff employees who intend to
retire within three to six months. In many cases
such employees can be relieved of their regular
duties and assigned to writing historical papers.
b. If procedure a., above, does not appear
to be feasible, each major component will contract
with annuitants to write historical papers. In
accordance with your instructions, the three His-
torical Boards have been advised that the number
of annuitants under contract must be held to an
absolute minimum.
6. The historical program, although finally off to
what I believe is a good start, varies considerably with-
in the three Directorates. All DDI offices have sub-
mitted their tentative programs with, in some cases, an
indication of who will write the histories and the ap-
proximate deadlines. These programs are flexible and
probably will change with time. (See Attachment B.l.)
7. The major components of DDS&T have submitted
memos briefly indicating the proposed content of their
narrative chronologies and who will write them. However,
they have not as yet indicated what monographs or special
historical studies will be necessary. Memoranda cover-
ing these will be in the hands of the DDS&T Historical
Board by 16 January 1967. (See Attachment B.2.)
8. There have been two meetings of the DDS Board,
,,ut as yet no submission of programs from its major com-
,-onents. These programs will be in the hands of the
Board by 16 January 1967.
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9. So far, there have been indications that in
the DDI area there may be a request for five to ten
annuitants under contract, although it is a little early
to be definite on this subject. The DDI offices have
been asked to submit lists of possible annuitants with
their defense in each case. When I have received these,
they will be cleared with you. So far DDS&T has indica-
ted no desire for annuitants under contract, although I
suspect that when the offices have submitted their full
programs, they will find that some of the work has to be
done outside. It is too early on to determine the needs
of DDS. (See Attachment C.)
10. Having overcome the initial inertia in regard
to historical writing, I am pleased to find that there
is a certain amount of enthusiasm for this program.
The three Deputies and their senior officials have all
been most cooperative. I think people are beginning
to feel that they would like to set down for posterity
a record of their exploits. This is all to the good.
However, there is a danger to objectivity in the over-
enthusiasm of a writer. In all Directorates, therefore,
we are setting up a system of checks and reviews for
every paper, by senior personnel other than the writer.
11. I feel confident that within the next six
months, all programs in the three Directorates will be
progressing in a satisfactory manner and that we will
have in hand a number of papers finished or in draft
form.
Attachments:
As stated
Chief, HS/DCI
25X1A9a
Historical Staff/DCI
25X1A9a
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