LETTER TO KENNETH L. FRY FROM (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP74-00390R000200040015-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 24, 2001
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: March 1, 1971
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2001/08/30 : CIA-RDP74-0039OR000200040015-6
1 .`march 1971
Kenneth L. Fry
Colonel, USAF
Acting Deputy Director for Support
Defene Intelligence Agency
Washinton, ).t;. 2030115
~a
Dear Col. Pry
Your inquiry dated 28 January 1971 and corres-
pondence from Ir. :'lelden E. Smith., Jr. are returned
since the overall re ponaibility for the proper
security of all files of the U.S. Strategic BorrL.ir,<
Survey were transferred from the Central intelligence
Agency to the Defense Intc1ligence Agency effectve
15 August 1966. A copy of that agreement is attached
for your convenience.
This office has coordinated with interested
individuals in this Agency and finds we have no
continuing interest in the subject records. The
request posed by 4r. Smith appears to be within tiu
purview of your Agency and is returned for your
consideration and disposition.
Lttachmcnts
Transfer Agreement I Aug 66
Mr. Smith letter
3
iov 70
Col. Fry letter
22
Dec 70
Col. Fry letter
23
Jan. 71
Col. Fry letter
to
CIA 28 Jan 71
DDS/SSS/P,AB/
dd (1 Mar. 7.L)
Mr. Smith letter 2 Jan 71
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OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
STRATEGIC SERVICES UNIT
12 February 1971
SUBJECT U. S. Strategic Bombing Survey Records
REFERENCE Your Memorandum dated 4 February 1971,
Same Subject
This office has no continuing interest in subject records
that are housed at the National Archives. It appears to be
strictly a DIA matter.
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4 February 1971
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Strategic Services Unit
SUBJECT : Reference Inquiry from DIA for Melden E. Smith Jr.
1. In the attached correspondence the Director for Support
in Defense Intelligence Agency has informed Mr. Melden E. Smith
Jr. that the files he wishes to have a microfilm copy of are
classified. by the British Air Ministry and two U. S. Government
Agencies. Mr. Smith has requested. that the declassification request
be pursued, further.
2. An agreement dated. 1 August 1966 transferred custody of
the United. States Strategic Bombing Records to DIA. You may have
continued. interest in this material or may have terminated OSS
interest at that transfer. Please let me have your position on
a response for this requestor.
Attachment:
As Stated.
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i 4 February
PADH ILASMs FOR: Dire ct .,:.?, St: d ie is Services Unit
1 ID
8UBJXCT Rererenae Inquiry fr:~::: DIA ttelden: . Sr .;V1,
1. In the attached c :rres.PGndenc a the Direc:tcr fc r Sup.-
in Defense Intellii ence Agency has inf.rred Mx. Mellen Z. Smith
Jr. that the files he viches t hove ?r pier: film copy Qf are
classified by the British Air Ministry and twc U. S. G very nt
Agencies. Mir. Smith n*s requested th?t the declssificticrf recqu
be pursud further.
the United States Strate 3.c Bimbix Re+. -rds t DIA. Y::u .. ay h .ve
continued interest in t zie ateri:~I .:r i.ayr have terninated OBS
interest at that tr nsfer. Please let me have your ii :siti;-n - r
2. An agreement d- +e 1 August 66 transferred cult-ti,
a response for this req est ,r.
Attachment:
As stated.
7AM d (1+ Feb . 71)
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DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
2 8 JAN 1971
1. We are requesting your comments on the enclosed correspondence from
Mr. Melden E. Smith, Jr.
2. The files requested by Mr. Smith contain documents which were origi-
nated and security classified by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS),
London. According to Mr. John Taylor of the National Archives and Record
Service (NARS), your agency has the authority in declassifying these
documents.
U-10,907/DS-2D
SUBJECT: Inquiry from Mr. Melden E. Smith, Jr.
TO: Records Administration Officer
en~re_ =_-- - ncy
Washington, D.C. 20505
2 Enclosures
1. Cy of Ltr, 3 Nov 70,
Melden E. Smith, Jr.,
w/DIA reply
2. Cy of Ltr, 2 Jan 71,
Melden E. Smith, Jr.,
w/DIA interim reply
t/Yf J/
L. FRY
t.Fw el, U..F
tiding Deputy Director for Support
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137 Bay State Road
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
January 2, 1971
Colonel Kenneth L. Fry, USAF
Acting Deputy Director for Support
Defense Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. 0..20301
Dear Colonel Fry.
I was happy to receive your reply to my inquiry of 3 November
just before Christmas, because I had become convinced that this
inquiry had somehow become lost In the maze down there.
Should we dismiss my request to see certain USSBS documents simply
because they originated with the Air Ministry? Or could you people
get In touch with the British and pass on my request for a selective
declassification action? After all these records pertain to an event
over twenty-five years ago, and if you were to contact the proper
British-clearing authority they just might reply favorably.
Would you please pursue this matter further an reply reasonably soon?
The documents in question, again, are: -
Under Section 4 (European Target Intelligence)
and further broken down to 3a beginning on page
223, (Damage Assessment photo intelligence reports
of Eu an targets filed alphebetically, etc.)
#746 on page 229) Dresden, Germany (three envelopes).
In the meantime I shall write to Mr. L. A. Jackets, Air Historical
Branch, London,'and Inform him of my desires in this matter.
Sincerely,
Melden E. Smith, Jr
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Mr. Melden D. Smith, Jr.
137 Bay State Road
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
U-389/DS
Dear Mr. Smith:
28 JAN 1971
Reference is made tQ your follow-up letter of 2 January 1971, on
the subject of U. S. Strategic Bombing Survey Records.
We have again reviewed the records in question at the National
Archives. A page-by-page examination revealed that as previously
stated, a large number of these records are proprietary to
Her Majesty's Government. Additionally, however,. v e found that
intermingled with those records in the bound documents concerned
are documents which are proprietary to another foreign government
and two U. S. Federal Agencies.
We regret our. inability to furnish you with a final position on your
request at this time. As you can appreciate, the Defense Intelligence
Agency has no cognizance over the USSBS Records and no authority
to either act on or recommend their release. Although we have been
informed that previous requests for access to these records have
not been favorably considered, we are referring your request through
appropriate channels to obtain decisions thereon from the Agencies
concerned. We will keep you informed of ar~y progress in this matter.
Sincerely,
SIGNED
KCKt'FTJ L. FRY
CoIone1, UST ~~
Acting deputy Dkeotor lot Sop-aft
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137 B.y State Road
Boston, Massachusetts 02215
November 3,\1970
Colonel Pert Ezell
k istan1 Chief of Staff for Administration
Defense Intelligence Agency:
WQshington, D. C.
I nm currently working on a doctoral manuscript in history on
a reconsideration of the bombing of Dresden, Germany during-
World War II.
I would like to have the folMowing portion of the USSBS Study
declassified.so that Mr. John Taylor of the Modern Military .
Records Division could have it microfilmed and fowarded to me.
The selection is;
Under. Section 4 (European Target Intelligence) and
further broken down to 3a beg:lnning on page 223,
(Damage Assesment photo intelligence reports of
European targets filed aiphebetically, etc.)
#746'(on page 229) Dresden, Germany (3 envelopes).
Mr. Taylor adiviseri me to contact you with this request. I have
a research clearance from the Office;of Air Force History for
my undertaking and one also from the State Department.
Sincerely yours ,
Melden E'. Smith, Jr.
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DS-2D/V. Ste'phanson/44176/mc/4Dec70
U-5036/DS-2D
Mr. Malden E.'Smith, Jr.
137 Bay State Road
Boston, Massachusetts 02215'
R?'feronca is made to your letter, 3 November 1970, addressed to
Colonel `Bert Ezell (now retired), requesting access to certain United
States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) records.
Upon review it has been determined that these particular documents
were originated and security classified by the British Government.
Declassification of classified information fu:cnished to the United
States by a foreign govrnment lies solely with that foreign govern-
ment, therefore, author/ zation for access to the documents requested
We are sorry we have >I'-ot been able to accommodate your request.
Coordination
f Stayback
/.. DS-2
DS-X
Sincerely,
FILE DESIGNATION
2 2 DEC 1970
X DS
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