(UNCLASSIFIED) U. S. PRISONERS OF WAR REMAINING IN COMMUNIST CUSTODY AFTER TERMINATION OF EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS UNDER TERMS OF KOREAN ARMISTICE AGREEMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01731R000800120028-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 28, 2004
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: March 16, 1954
• Content Type: MF

proved For Release 2004/07/08: CIA-RDP80RO1731 R0008001
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, D. C.
USAF review(s) completed.
16 March 19511.
MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJECT: (Unclassified) U. S. Prisoners of War Remaining in Communist
Custody After Termination of Exchange of Prisoners Under Terms
of Korean Armistice Agreement
1. An unknown but apparently substantial number of U. S. military
personnel captured in the course of the Korean War are still being held
prisoners by the Communist Forces. These individuals will not necessarily
be retained in North Korea or Manchuria, but may be held elsewhere within
the Soviet orbit.
2. While it is possible that the release of some or all of these
prisoners of war may eventually be effected through diplomatic negotiations,
the fact that to this day apparently large numbers of German and Japanese
prisoners of war from World War II are still in custody must be accepted
as a Communist pattern. Today, for the first time, U. S. personnel in any
quantity are coming into contact with this pattern. It is a fundamental
obligation of the U. S. Government to vigorously pursue every authorized
means to recover its fighting men being held hostage by anyone under any
circumstances whatsoever.
25X1
3. The recovery of even a single individual in this category would
have a salutary effect upon the morale of U. S. military personnel in
contact with Communist Forces in the event of future hostilities, and
would be of inestimable value in our National psychological program to
expose for the world at large to see and understand the true nature of
the Soviet-directed world Communist plot.
4. It is therefore requested that requirements be placed on appro-
priate operating organizations for clandestine and covert action to locate,
identify, and recover those U. S. prisoners of war still in Communist custody.
This action should take precedence over all other evasion and escape activi-
ties currently being planned or undertaken by the Agency in support of
/ military requirements. It is further requested that any information col-
lected pertaining to U. S. and other United Nations prisoners of war still
in Communist custody be immediately forwarded to this Headquarters.
rOCUNrNT NO.
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tiI I i CLASS. }
25X1`..? 7 `"-T.~~Vgv?
R 8 U R $ F. TWINING
!be office of record for this documenthief of Staff, United States Air Force
"Chief, Psychological Poarfare Divisionv Special handling of this paper Is requested,
Directorate of Plans, DCS/operations w Access should b- :. u! ..'Led to individuals reguirina
I~ormai handling ~ ~4 US". w
are not apgliaSbie. the inf orxt oz1 heath in order to carry out their
Request replies or ref eRN es F' le
'a- I ~}~f MR000800120028-5
ready to or throftWr y av 1C!
fa r cord.
 Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000800120028-5
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Dc
PMT which has the carbon of this letter,
is preparing a reply for your signature which
will be here tomorrow, Wednesday, 21g. March.
' FORM NO. 10.101 JAN 1952
2, r
147)
Approved For Release 2004/07/08 : CIA-RDP80R01731 R000800120028-5