ATTACHED (RE BLUEBIRD) WITH ATTACHMENT

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00147392
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 16
• Document Creation Date: January 17, 2025
• Document Release Date: January 15, 1983
• Publication Date: March 3, 1952

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4IrrAtio6no row No.44
Office Memorandum
TO
Via :
FROM :
SUPJECT: Attached
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
DATE: 3 March 1952
1. The attached memorandum is an 6yes Only report for your
study and consideration.
2. The writer' has set down personal comments relative the
Bluebird operation and particularly contributions or rather lack
of contributions to this effort by OSI. The writer has also com-
mented relative matters involving the medical staff in relation
to the Bluebird program.
3. The paper is not an official document, but rather a con-
fidential report for I ft SO information only.
L. If you have no further use for it after reading, I will
retain it in oar controlled files.
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� 1. EVALUATION OF THE MEDICAL STAFF'S COUTRIBUJION TO DEUEPIpD �
-EVALUATION OF BLUEBIRD POTENTIAL BY THE MEDICAL STAFF
In view of.the fact that with
spent with Bluebird by
e Bluebir
as designated 'b
ei point of view) an evaluation Of the contribution of the
medical staff to Bluebird is impossible at this time. By the same
token, it would be impossible for the medical staff to make any
kind of evaluation of real merit whatsoever of the work done to
date by the Bluebird staff and certainly to a lesser extent to the
work done by OSI in this connection.
exception of the few days
no medical officer
-January 1952 when
assist Bluebird from
Irrespective of any evaluation whatsoever that the medical
staff may place on the Bluebird work, it is the writer's emphatic.
opinion that this work requires an extensive exploration of the
entire medical field by competent medical authority. A .survey of
the literature in this connection reveals that a great deal of
work along Bluebird lines is 'being done by psychiatrists and
psychologists all over the United States and elsewhere and ac-
cording to much of the literaturer�many remarkable results are
obtained. These results are, in a great many instances, directly
applicable to the Bluebird problem. Basically, we know that the.
Iron Curtain "experts" have li a azinc results (Moscow
Purge Trials 1936,1937- etc.) and any .
negative answer or withd awa of m_ cal p t would not be, -
in the opinion of the writer, in the best interests of the Agency
or the United Statee Government for that matter. From a medical
point of view, there is much to be done and the medical staff -
should be authorized to comb the country for answers to the medical
staff's problems involved. The medical staff should seek out and
determine the latest and most improved techniques, the finest in-
struments, and the latest medical theories in these matters, and
a failure to do this may constitute a very grave error.
Since OSI may have done some of this searching or may be in
the proc-s work should, of course, be "co-ordinated"
through
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2. EVALUATION OF 'TIM INTELLIGENCE MATErd AL ON 13LOEBIRD
In the writer's opinion, the intelligence collected to date
on Bluebird material,either from behind the Iron Curtain or else-
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where is extremely poor. In general, it i* the writer's opinion
that where 'there is a great deal intelligence information,
particularly-along interrogation lines, there should be some in-
formation concerning Bluebird or similar techniques as used by
the Soviets and their Satellites and other countries. The infor-
mation, however, that has been received is second or third-hand,
rumors, unsupported statements, and non-factual. Along these
lines, it should be noted that this office has received practically
no intelligence information whatsoever to date from OSI and ft is
obvious that certain conclusions may be drawn from this, i:e.:
A) Material arid intelligence are being withheld
from us deliberately.
B) All projects, sources, or individuals that are
being tapped for information are failures or
not advanced far enough to produce concrete
results.
OSI has not spread its net wide enough.
As stated above, pure intelligence alonf; these lines obtained
from all sources is regarded by the writer as being very, very
weak. Particularly it is noted that there are no large survey re-
ports on d.p.s (particularly scientific men who might have know-
ledge of Bluebird-type activities) and it appears obvious that
this should be done if it has not been done to date.
3. FVALUATION OF THE WORK OF CHEMISTS, BIOCHEMISTS, ETC. IN TRE UNITED
STATES AND ELSEWHERE ALO4G BLUEBIRD LINES
This question is related to No. 2 above and the same answers
obtained in No. 2 apply here. To date, we have received very
little information from scientific sources in this matter. It
is obvious that in the United States alone there are innumerable
private, educational, industrial, and commercial sources that have
considerable information along these lines. There are a great
many scientists in the United States who work in fields .related
to Bluebird and OSI or some designatO staff of this Agency should
tap every one of these sources for information.
. It also seems obvious to the writer that the great chemical
firms such as MERCK, JOHNSON and JOHNSON, DUPONT, MONSANTO, DOW,
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etc. etc. would have men whose infornation would be of value to
us. py the same token, the PELL LAMATORIES, riNERAL ELECTRIC,
. WESTINGHOUSE, etc. must have valuable information in electronics,
sound etc.
L. EVALUATION OF THE ODNTRIPUTION OF OSI IN GENF.RAL TO PLUEPIRD
While the writer obviously does not know of all the efforts
of OSI to obtain information in these fields, for a matter of re-
cord, it should be noted that to date, 29 January 1952, OSI has
not given this office one valuable, new, usable paper, suggestion,
drug,.instrument, technique, name of an individual, etc., etc.
5. VARIOUS PANELS PROPOSED kND WHAT THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE OR IN
THE FUTURE
The original panel as proposed and set up by OSI apparently
died at birth. As far as the writer has been able to determine,
the panel has never even been assembled in part and apparently has
accomplished nothing.
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re-proposed the same panel idea cent i ormal conference , of
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that a panel of top-flight men be lined up and brought to a given
point at a given time, be briefed on the Bluebird problem, and
then given a series of questions, suppositions, ideas, etc.,in
writing, which they could then take to their various homes or
places of business and study them and come up with any thoughts
that they might have that would be of value to Bluebird. In the
writer's opinion, this idea is sound, although it is an old one,
but it would have to be laid on by proper authorities With con-
siderable spade work in advance. It might be a sort of advanced
seminar type of get-together.
It is the writer's opinion that within the Agency alone,
either as consultants or as full-time employees of the Agency,
there are -a great many men who would come up with refreshing and
sensible ideas regarding Bluebird if given a proper briefing in
this matter. It is certain that these individuals would know
many individuals whom they could recommend for consultation.
It this connection, it should be an absolute rule that if a
group such as suggested above is ever assembled, each individual
present should be requested to submit the nanes of individuals
that are known by them who could possibly contribute knowledge
or assistance to this work. These names obtained could be cross-
checked and if subsequently determined that their information
would in fact be valuable, Security or OSI could line them up as
consultants and they could be used in this work.
6. ESSENTIAL WORK TO DE DONE IN HYPNOSIS
The writer is quite aware that there are some highly com-
petent experts in this field, medical men and otherwise. The
writer contemplates visiting as many of these individuals as can
be arranged from a security point of view as soon as possible.
This office is continuing its experiments along these lines and
hopes to obtain new -volunteer assistance in the immediate future
and in addition also hopes to obtain permission to conduct hyp-
notic experiments extending over long distances and involving com-
plex set-ups.
The work to date, in the opinion of the writer, is encour-
aging with a number of interesting results obtained, at least
from a physical point of view. Obviously, continued research
and experimentation is in order along these lines and will be
continued by this office.
7. THE PROBLEM OF THE LONG-RANCE RESEARCH' AS OPPOSED TO IMMEDIATE ACTION
ON CASES
It is obvious that both long-range-research and preparation-
for the handling of operational cases as they arrive must be
carried on at the same time. It has been long known to the writer
and certainly must be known to everyone interested in this work
that the finding of a "wonder" drug or new uses for old drugs or
techniques will only come as the result of slow, laborious, pain-
staking research conducted in properly equipped laboratories and
carried out by.highly skilled men of'science. This will cost
large sums of money and will take a considerable amount of time
before any concrete results can be achieved. In the writer's
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opinion, however, it is absolutely essential that this Agency
support this type of research, directly or indirectly, and give
aid and encouragement wherever possible to other agencies or
individuals working along these lines.
. By the same token, the Bluebird teams must., have the best
present knowledie available to apply to actual operational cases
when they arise. To date, the writer has been unable to find
"new" information on techniques or administration of drugs td
be used nor have we received any information on "new" drugs or
techniques from OSI. It, therefore, -should be understood that
at the present time, if the Bluebird team has to handle any given
case they will use their best present knowledge and weapons which.
are such drugs as sodium amytal, sodium pentothal, etc. with an
effort made at the time of drug administration to gain hypnotic
control of the subject.
While we have heard of various agencies and individuals
who are making "remarkable" progress along "new lines" (such
as lysergic acids, etc.), there is no indication that these
techniques or new drugs are in any shape to be used against
a given case at the present. As stated above, if these new :01
techniques and drugs are usable, this office has not received
any such information to date.
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8. WHY HAVEN'T TOP-LEVEL PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS BEEN INTERVIE4ED
TO DATE?
In the United States there are a Tmmber of important hos-
pitals, clinics, etc. where hypno and narco-analysis are con-
stantly being used apparently with excellent results. Certain
laces are *mmediately call 4 to mind such as
ca, etc,
In addition to the hospitals and clinics that are using
hypno and narco-analysis, there are, in the United States, a'
number of toe-level psychiatrists and clinical psychologists
who have done a great dea 4 rch t al k alon
e � 1 Ich men a
etc. slould be p7rsonally interviewed and
their work should be analyzed and studied from a Bluebird point
of view. If the above named institutions and/or individuals have
been covered by OSI, this office has not heard of it.
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10. IN VITM or OUR PERSON/ ,rr:. 17), OF TlELD OPERATIONS, THE HANDLJNG IN
AND REWIT TRIP, IT IS FELT THtiT CON-
SIDE ION MUST BE GIVEN '1u F.R1EFIN0 OF ALL OPYRATIOEAL OFFICIALS,
HEADS OF MISSIONS, AND CHIEF AGENTS RELATIVE BLUEDIRD AND RELATED MATTERS.
It is the opinion of the writer that operational officials,
heads of missions, chief agents, etc. should be briefed on Blue-
bird along the following lines:
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A) Have all agents maintain a constant watch for
intelligence, mechanical gadgets or devices,
medical reports, photographs, etc. on Bluebird-
. type activity by Iron Curtain countries and by
any country in which they are working.
B) Where possible, drugs should be collected,
(particularly new or unusual-type drugs),
unusual gadgets, electronic devices including
electric medical instruments, shock inducing
machines, etc., pictures or descriptive li-
terature of any of these items and rumors of
new or unusual activities in this type of work.
C) All operational cases and certainly important
cases should be examined with a view towara the use
of Bluebird techniques. It should he clearly ex-
plained to our people that Bluebird should not
necessarily be applied as a last resort, but can
be applied anywhere along the line in woiking a
case.
D) Our people should be instructed to he on a con-
stant watch for unusual activites, strange per-
sonality changes, pecularities, etc. that suddenly
appear among our own people or people in whom we
have an interest.
E)
All overseas employees or individuals connected
with any of our activities in foreign countries
(particularly near the Iron Curtain or in dan-
gerous areas) should be rewarned against any type
of hospitalization, medical attention, psychi-
atry treatment, etc. eicept by fully authorized
and trusted institutions and doctors.
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� 11. INFORMATION FRAN1101.11. ir
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It is the writer's understandirg that efforts have been made
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fr. - - elative Bluebird-type activities and techniques. It
is also my understanding that these attempts have not been fruiiful.
Certainly this office has received no information from ria
any channels in relation to this work.
It is obvi and
d re d agencies in the J.
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an elsewhere would receive information along Pluebird lines.
'le writer is not aware of an, use of Bluebird techniques by
- it seems obvious that would have studied and pro-
a.ly experimented with Pluebirc- ype techniques, etc.
It is suggested that since OSI has not produced information
along these lines, that I cfl 1,prohably through their close
working association with et up an informal conference
betw.ee security officers; Bluebird team officers, andWageta
consider these matters.
� ed the writer th works very
close y wiCY and is capa e of obtaining
from them all neCessary information and drugs as needed.
To date, this office a received no information whatsoever
that would indicate tha rAISI or ,bas received
information of any type
se ms very obvious t
, weruld have produced written
repo iis on all types of drugs, �rug sources, drug uses, etc., etc.
While this material may contain nothing new, it nevertheless would
probably be very authoritative material for our study, analysis,
and use.
Thk proposal has been brought to the attention 4011111111111
anI lilliy the writer orally on several occasions. -
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as for many, many years
sent plant experts, soi experts, etc. on missions all over the
world.? These top-level scientists are, of course, familiar with
plants that produce drugs and they are also, of course, familiar
with the areas of the world from which drugs come. It is also
quite likely that any new drugs or unusual drugs or plants that
have a drug potentialit- ar ve _carefu d and even ex-
perimented wit
This office ceive no information from any source in-
dicating that has been requested to
furnish information Co Us, or has furnished us information, or
that any efforts have been made to tap this very excellent source.
This has been mentioned on seve � s orally tolift
d his predecesso
From many sources, the writer has learned that some of thel
most advanced experimentation and some of the finest know ..dge Of
drugs and drug activity is held by th e rerts of th and
- in articular their men working at
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the writer that the huge facilities of
ave experts and fine technical
equipment-that-is 're ted to Bluebird work (electro-encephalo-
graphs, etc.). To date, we have received no information whatso-
ever from this obviously fertile field with the exception of.
that material which the writer has examined through his awn
limited sources.
also
This so
tention of
been negat
9 on pe ccnsions been called to the at-
nd . but to date the results have
In connection with th
the countr in ect _e-en
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one of t sts in
raph is
knowledge is of considerable
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ould be interviewed.)
informed by., hatIthe facilities
re being used to our advantage
who is one of the very top officials
who is a cleared consultant of this Agency.
have to date had no written information about the work of
ong ' terest to Bluebird, except several brief,
oral reports
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writer knows that s done a great deal of work
in brain surgery (lobotomy, e c. . The results are of interest
to us, but no reports have been received to date although it is
possible that we will i e receive some information along
these lines according t -.'� However, it4pears obvious
to the writer that ii4-----', usQlave numerous reports, papers, etc.
on these matters a .-the writer would like to see them.
has article
evious day.
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Practi s required to perfect any technique. Hence,
the propose. Project appears worthy of serious consider-
ation, in th opinion of the writer.
It should be noted t1 c is basically a surgeon by
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training and has done no wor along BlUebird lines whatsoever. He
has only .had very general work in psychiatry and psychology and
he is unfamiliar with the hypnotic techniques. Furthermore, barring
the usual knowledge gained by doctor i in school and medical practice,
he has only a limited experien es, particularly those we �
are interested in. Hence, if _s to evaluate or study
the Bluebird program, he shoul have rudimentary, basic; and prac-
tical experience before his evaluations can be regarded as authori-
tative. '
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While the full ramifications of this Agency's intelligence
gathering facilities are unknown to the writer, the writer knows
for fact t nably good working arrange-
ment wit It is also obvious
to the w Cr tar s aware o would-have information
on Bluebird-type ac 1v1 les. Whether or not this obvious source
has been tapped, is unknpwn to the writer and whether or not this
cold be done as a policy matter is also unknown. However, the
writer feels that since the source would probably yield very good
information, the matter should certainly be given consideration by
the proper authorities of this Agency:
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16. FURTHER COMMENTS RELATIVE LOBOTOMY
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To date, there has been considerable discussion relative
the possible use of the lobotomy-type operation by this Agency
is a neutralizing weapon. In general, it Tfla be said that dis-
cuSsion of this idea with a view toward sterilizing an individual
and rendering him harmless from a securiAy point of view has been
considered by many individuals. Just how effective this operative
technique would be is unknown to the writer, but certain it is
that the use of the lobotomy-type operation is fraught with many
very serious problems:
1) The operation itself may be fatal.
2) The operation might not be successful from
a security point of view.
3) Any operation requires cumbersome equipment, surgi-"
cal rooms, and complex, specialized instruments'
and devices for anesthesia, transfusions, etc.
h) The operative technique of lobotomy-type
� operations requires expert, neuro-surgical
knowledge.
5) The operation would undoubtedly require an
anesthetist and nurse attendant.
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6) Even if successful, the disposal problem is not
necessarily solved.
In addition to the above problems, discussion with medical of-
ficers very clearly reveals that, without exception, in their opinion,
any reputable medical officer whether in military service or other-
wise would
1) Strenuously object to the performing of.such
an operation
2) And would in all probability refuse outright
to perform such an operation if it were to be
used for "Security" reasons.
The writer himself is basically and morally opposed to this
type of thing although he readily recognizes that war is a very
grim business. Certainly, it must be said from an Agency point of
view that unless a situation of gravest importance arose, this
technique, under no circumstances, should even .be considered. Its
exposure would cause irreparable damage to the reputation of this
country and this Agency and to any claims we may have of virtue
or high ideals.
_ _While we must recognize that the USfiR and their satellites
are capable of any conceivable atrocities against human beings to
attain what they think are their ends -- we should not -- with our
technical brilliance, our vast capacities for research, and our
high regard for human life -- use these techniques unless by using
them we save the lives of our own people and the situation is
highly critical to the nation's safety. Other means should be
found and can be found.
19. YET TO DE DONE
-While our research to date has given us some information of
merit on. techniques, chemicals and instruments for use with the
Bluebird idea -- there are many fields untapped and crying for ex-
ploration. �Whether 031 has made strides in any of these directions
is unknown to the writer, but it is certain that we have to date
received no information from OS1 along these lines. In general
terms, these fields are:
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1.) Sound
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What use can be made of sound for Pluebird
application? Consider ultra-sonics, UHF,
vibrations, monotonous sounds, concussion,
c. (The Agency has contributed
ently to the "Side Tone Delay" --
a r- e matter but the answers along these
lines are a year away probably.)
High and Low Pressures, Various Gases
Use of gas as in the air-tight chambers and
the effects of various gases or lack of oxygen
on individuals should be studied. The effects
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of high and low pressures and certain 6ase
r rt to be being considered b
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ere has no een built.
3) Use of Hypnotic Techniques and Chemicals in
Connection with the Polygraph
Some work- has been done by the writer and his
associates in the. hypnotic field with inter-
esting results; however, insufficient wOrk has
been done to specifically state that individuals
controlled by hypnotism or operating under post-
hypnotics could .
A) beat the polygraph
P) or take the polygraph examination
without being detected.
Information relative chemicals and drugs which
could be used in beating the polygraph is very
sketchy and inaccurate. This type of testing
cannot easily be carried on within the Agency
and the few.tests that have been observed by
the writer were very poorly controlled and the
results .at best were confusing.
11) Use of Bacteria, Plant Cultures, Fungi, Poisons
of Various Types, Etc.:
Whether any of these elements would be useful
in _Bluebird techniques are unknown to the writer
and to date, research has developed no information
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that is uscful.alont; these tints. dhat effect
these elements would have on individuals who
are under control is unknown. However, certain
.of these elements Could produce bodily conditions
such as 'high fever, delirium, etc., but it is
doubted if these conditions could be exploited
'advantageously.
5) Diet
If individuals under strict control are continu-
ously fed food or liquid containing high quanti-
ties of salt, spices, etc. or if certain basic
food elements (such as fats, starches, proteins,
etc.) are continuously removed from the diet of
controlled individuals, will they or can they
thus be conditioned for Bluebird techniques?
There is considerable literature to indicate
that a standard Soviet and satellite technique
is the use of food containing high salt content,
which produces thirst in the subject to be in-
terrogated. The exact reasons for this are un-
known, but a number of intelligent guesses can
be made.
20. FURTHER COMENTS RELATIVE ELBCTRO-SHOCK
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As has been noted above and in conversation, there has been
a considerable amount of discussion relative possible uses of
electroshock as a weapon by Bluebird.
It has been reported to the writer th , referred
to above, believes that the electroshock or post c cc roshock coma
ca J,formation froin individuals. .According
to and his associates have been able
to o tam n information rom subjects after the electroshock con-
vulsion and during the coma period following the convulsion after
the initial electroshock. There is very little information on this
technique and while we are not certain that individuals who are
attempting to conceal information co5ld be forced to give up in-
formation through this method, the idea may have some merit, but
it is apparently in experimental form only and has not been widely
tested. At least as far as the writer knows there is little, if
any, literature available relative this technique.
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convulsion. S
writer asked ...
ever attempte to s
during this period.
-attempted but he would try todo this in the immediate future
and he advised that he would let the writer know if this technique
was successful. To date, we have received no informatign along
these lines. In theory, at least, the idea does appear to have
merit from an experimental point of view.
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In addition, 1
' . expressed the view that through
continuous electroshock app ications, the memory of an individual
could-be destroyed and conceivably the subject could be reduced
to a "vegetable" state. The writer is not prepared to discuss
total destruction of memory by.electroshock, but is quite aware
that electroshock treatments produce amnesia and gross memory
defects in patients. .There is much literature to support this.
Furthermore, it is known that patients, after receiving electro-
shock treatments, as a rule, generally have no memory of the
immediate time periods surrounding the electroshock treatments
and, in general, memory is faulty for several weeks following
the electroshock course. However, gradually, memory returns and
approaches the condition prior to the electroshock, although
there are some amnesias and gross impairments of memory functions
that appear to be permanent.
Thr a matter of record, it should be!noted that the writer
hns long considered the possibility of obtaining hypnotic con-
trol of subjects in the coma period following the rjiock
s ago in a conversation with
the
hether or not any of his assocla had tes (le
otic control of their patients
stated that this had not been
The standard electroshock device is a small instrument,
portable, or nearly so, and quite easily applied to a given
individual. It could, undoubtedly, be used by any doctor since
electroshock treatments, in certain typesof insanity, are widely
used. Furthermore, purchase of this type equipment would not
create any unusual notice since in all major cities of the United
States there are many electroshock machines being constantly used.
However, the objections that would apply to the lobotomy
type operations would, of course, apply to the use of electro-
shock if the end result was the creation of a "vegetable". The
writer believes that these techniques should not be considered
except in gravest emergencies and neutralization by confinement
and/or removal from the area of the subject would be far more
appropriate and certainly safer!
A correlary to the two techniques discussed above (lobotomy
and electroshock) is that no Agency employee under any circum-
stances should submit to these techniques without the Agency being
- fully aware of it even when medically indicated and without full
knowledge of who was applying the techniques, the reason therefor,
etc., etc.
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