Regulations Governing Retention of Classified Material by Members of OSS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04007A000100010003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 25, 2003
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: May 21, 1945
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved for Release 2 fCfffftF A-RDP78
Iyw
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICES
Washington, D. C.
25X1
ISSUED: 21 May 1945
EFFECTIVE: 21 May 1945
TO: List S
SUBJECT: Regulations Governing Retention of Classified
Material by Members of OSS
1, All documentary material, such as books, papers, reports,
memoranda or copies thereof t relating to OSS activities or
personnel including such similar material as may be transmitted
to OSS by other cooperating agencies of the U.S. or Allied
Governments is the property of OSS and the United States Govern-
ment and not the property of any individual, even though the
latter may be the author or subject of it, or otherwise mentioned
in it. The individual's temporary custody or retention of such
material does not convey to him the right to its ownership or
permanent possession..
2. All members of OSS are instructed, therefore, to examine
immediately all documentary material in their personal possession
and to roturn either to their Desk Head, Branch Chief,, the
Registry, or the Security Office, any material described above
as OSS property and which does not fall within either of the two
categories listed below:
a. Documentary material relating to current plans and
operations or administrative matter safeguarded in
accordance with applicable security regulations;
b. Personal letters, movement orders, or any adminis-
trative mattor relating solely to the individual and
not classified higher than RESTRICTED.
3. Attention of all concerned is directed to Par. 31, Section IT,
o entitled Safeguarding Military Information, which
provides that "Upon change o s a bn or separa ron7rom the
military service, an officer will return to the source from which
received, or otherwise properly account for, all secret and
confidential documents Which have been issued to him",
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All Strategic Services Officers and Chiefs, OSS,, will:
a. Direct all personnel under their command to comply
promptly with the provisions of this Order,
b. Notify all such personnel that the storage or trans-
- portation of secret and confidential documentary
material in foot lockers, bags or other personal
luggage will be considered a serious Security Viola-
tion, and
Instruct all field Security Officers to brief all
OSS personnel in particular reference to this matter,
5. All documentary material over six months old in the personal
possession of any individual will be disposed of in accordance
with paragraphs 2 and 3 above, and all documentary material from
ninety days to six months old will be carefully screened both
from an Operational and Security standpoint to determine whether
its continued temporary retention by. the individual is necessary,
00-
William! J. Donovan
Director
-Approved For Release 2003/05/15078-04007A000100010003-7
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