MINUTES SECOND MEETING OF SUPPORT SERVICES HISTORTICAL BOARD 1 DECEMBER 1966

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001300110001-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2006
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: December 2, 1966
• Content Type: MIN

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U 1) 1, S
P,;I- 11A
Second Meeting
of
SUPPORT SERVICES HISTORICAL BOARD
1. Present were Messrs.
I
2. The Chairman called the meeting to order at 1005. For the benefit
of those who had not attended the first meeting, the Chairman briefly reviewed
tentative decisions made by the Board:
a. That the office histories should start with the formation
of CIA, but use a transitional chapter to cover the period from
the demise of OSS through SSU and CIG. These chapters would
thus carry forward from OSS the surviving organizations which
eventually formed the nuclei for present offices in the Support
Services;
b. That monographs covering sensitive activities, projects,
or programs should be included in this writing effort, with the
necessary security restrictions placed on the finished product;
c. That the cut-off date will be 31 December 1966.
3. The Executive Secretary then discussed briefly the status of
the historical programs of the DDI and the DDS&T.
a. He stated that the DDI historical program. was progressing
in an orderly way and historical programs have been received from
each one of the Offices with the exception of NPIC, which will be
ready in the near future. Sample copies of six DDI programs wore
distributed to stimulate thought and possibly act as guides. The
approach varies considerably in each case. Some offices contem-
plate writing the overall narrative history first and various monographs
MORI/CDF
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concurrently or at a later date. Other offices feel that they should
back into narrative histories by writing various m.onographs first
and then the narrative histories. Obviously, each office in the DDI
has been thinking along lines best suited to their needs.
b. DDS&T has not so far been as methodical in its approach.
The various offices have submitted papers in regard to the content
of their narrative histories and who would write them. However,
they have not indicated any monographs or special historical papers.
Moreover, DDS&T has not as yet nominated an historical board which
it is hoped will be done in the near future.
4. The Executive Secretary stated that there were a number o
histories in the Historical Staff covering various subjects and offices,
principally, up to 1953, which were available for anyone who wanted to see
them.
5. The Executive Secretary then discussed some of the problems
inherent in the writing of historical papers, principally, who will write
them. He suggested that in the case of moderately short monographs,
they could be written by personnel on duty who are intimately acquainted
with the operation or activity if they are not pressed for time. For the
narrative histories or long special papers, it was suggested that these
could be done by personnel slated for retirement within 6 months or a
year who could be relieved of other duties. In exceptional cases, annui-
tants could be brought back under contract to write some of these longer
papers. It was pointed out that the Chairman or Executive Secretary
should be advised of any proposed contracts in advance so that they could
be cleared with the DDS and the Executive Director.
6. There was considerable discussion in regard to which should
be written first, the narrative histories or the monographs. The Chair-
man agreed that the method might well differ in each office and that they
could state their preferences when forwarding their historical programs.
7. There was an equally lengthy discussion on obtaining the proper
personnel to write the histories. The consensus was that, initially, the
various offices would make a careful search and try to identify personnel,
capable of writing, who would retire within a short stated period, relieve
them of other duties, and put them to work on historical writing. It was
suggested that this method would be preferable and that the use of annui-
tants under contract would be a last resort. Papers should be reviewed
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by the office head or a knowledgeable individual designated by him..
8. The question of coordinating various papers came up. This
poses no great problem. within DDS as they can iDo coordinated laterally.
However, there may be a number of papers which might duplicate, or
be related to, papers being written in the Clandestine Services. If there
is any question of this, the Ex cutive Secretary said he would find out
from, Mr. DDP Representative, Historical Staff,
O/DCI, what papers are being written in the Clandestine Services and
who is writing them, so that coordination could be effected.
9. There was some question as to format and the Chairman stated
that the Executive Secretary was drafting a revision of the "Handbook
for the Writing of Clandestine Services Histories, " making it applicable
to the DDI, DDS, and DDS &T areas.
10. The Chairman requested that all offices submit their proposed
historical programs, including narrative histories, monographs, and
special historical papers. If possible, they should include the names
of personnel who will write them and an indication of some date of
completion. After some discussion, it was agreed that these would
be in the hands of the Chairm.an;on or before the close of business
Monday, 16 January 1967.
11. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 1125.
O-DD/S:Typed lar
(2 Dec 66)
Distribution:
Executive Secretary
Support Services Historical Board
j- DD/S Subject
:3
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