NOVEMBER 1963 - DECEMBER 1964 ACTION TAKEN ON THE HISTORY OF THE AGENCY'S ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM.

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00764R000300090025-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 19, 2000
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: January 26, 1965
• Content Type: MFR

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26 January 1965
MEiIORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: November 1963 December 1964 Action Taken on the
History of theAgency's Activities in Vietnam.
tion was located and general eotlectton?
were examined during the first two months. The papers Which
had been sent to the Records Center from such offices as the
MP and 0/DCI were checked, and some files were ordered for
examination. wi.th major4aps appearing in the written record
it was necessary to identify those officers: in responsible
staff, operational and support positions in order to augment
the written record by debriefing these officers.
In these first two Months of work it became clear that
much of the activity in the field had not been written down and
forwarded to Headquarter*. Some reports existed on the early
Alitary Mission. 1 A few reports could be found on the
Liaison Mission, but none of these were summa t
was a?unt oar y
4ttsston bad been in opera for two years at that
Little Witten tnfoxattn could be found on the background
izational changes in the makeup
s was particular/ true of the
1 of the firs sentative,
teams
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Iwas soon obviou d be necessary to go to
the field to debrief officers with background in the operations
of the Also, it was presumed that documents
in the files of the Station would quite likely all many of
the gaps and round out Sketchy information existing in Head
eveled in the Far East in January and
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While in Vietnam, both inniMand in outlying posts,
rviewed 73 officers.' These n erviews were found to be most
itable and, in fact, areessential in the preparation of
our Vietnam history. Although word had been sent to Headquarters
that some files had been destroyed at the time of the 1 November
1963 cou the extent of,the destruction was not evident until
e u ?om e
dispatches with appropriate questionnaires and outlines of
suggestions were sent to former Chiefs of Station section
chiefs, and other officers who had formerly heleresponsible
positions in Vietnam but who are residing away from Headquarters.
At the outset the task of writing the history of our
effort in Vietnam was assigned to one officer with the part-
time assistance of two non-DDP clerk-stenos, and the part-time
help of one DDP research assistant and later another clerk-
stenographer. This assistance has been essential in typing the
debriefing reports, many of which had been taken on tape,
typing historical drafts and in the maintenance of files and
cross-reference lists such as cryptonyms and true. Throughout
these first 14 months one of the more time-consuming aspects
of the work was the maintenance of appropriate controls on
sensitives operations and the proper use of eryptonyms and
pseudonyms to maintain the security of operations.
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In the development Of this history through December 1964,
317 Agency officers werelinterviewed and approximately 215
reports prepared from these interviews. In order to obtain
the highest possible degree of accuracy, it was determined that
the interviewee should have the opportunity to review what he.
had said and make adjustments or additions to improve the
clarity and add points overlooked in the debriefing. Thus,
the following procedure Was followed:
(1) I approached tille individual and obtained an indication
of the breadth and depth of his experiences and knowledge, if
warranted, arrangements Were made for a full debriefing, In
a few instances an individual's. experiences and information
were so limited that they did not warrant a -debriefing.
(2) An outline of the information desired and a general
paper indicating how this information would fit into the total
historical effort was given to the officer. One purpose was
to peak his interest and stimulate his desire_ to contribute
Inmost instances the outline and guidance was given a day or
more prior to the actual debriefing so that he could have his
thoughts organized, recheck dates, etc. Otherwise, there was
a brief discussion off what was desired immediately prior to the
debriefing and a brief oUtline developed for the officer to.
follow,
(3) Then the actual debriefing was held. These vari d
from one-half hour to as 'much as three or four hours. Some-
times, the debriefings involved two or three meetings. References
were made to maps photographs, charts and slides when available
and pertinent. Wherever 'possible, the debriefings were on
tape. (The use of a small, quiet, isolated conference room was
very helpful in easing the debriefing and in relaxing the Inter-
viewee.) Otherwise, extensive notes were taken and the report
of the debriefing dictated immediately following the session.
(In the case of information received by dispatch, identities
and pseudonyms of staff personnel which had been inserted were
replaced by true names or cryptos depending on the sensitivity.)
(4) The tape or the dictation was then typed as a rough
draft; it carried the numerical designation of the individual
and included references to the period of work in Saigon and
responsibilities while there.
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(5) This rough draft as than returned wherever possible
to the individual for corrections, deletions and supplements.
(6) The rough draft was returned to the Historical Staff
and adjusted to a standardised format. At this time the paper
was also reviewed for sensitive operations, and for possible
inadvertent divulgence of unilateral or curren
questions in this regard ware resolved with th
CI officer and clerk or the Vietnam Desk.
(7) The report was typed in final form and proo
When an individual Obviously had extensive information
and access to related written material, and where his time
permitted, he was asked to submit a detailed report covering some
element of the history. In those instances where an individual
being debriefed bald previously prepared an historical-type
summary of his activity, this has been included as either an
attachment to his debriefing report or as a separate report,
in collection on Vietnam Some officers had submitted written
responses to outlines covering their specific responsibilities
in lieu of oral debriefings. The above reports have been in-
corporated as background,historical material on Vietnam.
It became evident aS the work progressed that it was
extremely difficult if not impossible to limit considerations
25X1A to the. Clandestine Serviees if all asnects of our activities
in Vietnam were to be considered.
25X1A TPOINVIFF In one par Jou ar year the Office of Security conducted
approximately 200 operational polygraph examinations at the re-
quest of Station case officers; Security officers have also
assisted in handling senoitive personnel and have supported
TSD in documentary work.1 The support of the Office of Communi 25X1A
tions is more obvious. In a.. ' . ,- .utine t e of
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d into 1960t8 OCI has had an officer stationed
the request of the Chief of Station to give direct YPe
lytical and drafting Support to the Station. The type of
support rendered by OCR components, such as the Biograp
Register, the Graphics Register, and th in translation
work, is obvious. IIIIIelso has contributed case officers and
analyses, geographical repj!!!!!!!Irafted new maps covering
25X1A translators from its caORR has made numerous map
selected information at the request of the Station and the Desk.
ONE's National Intelligence Estimates and post mortems have
contributed to shifts in,policy and to the support of our effort
in Vietnam by senior intelligence groups. DD ? ar has
had a minor part to play in the Agency's ef orts. 0 I and OSA
have contributed to the analysis of CS reports and support of
special and sensitive operations of the Agency.
Thus, in the development of this history it was essential
that not only the deputy directors themselves be briefed on
the project and provide assistance but numerous officers within
their spheres of responsibility had to be contacted and inter-
viewed. Within the Clandestine Services and in relation to
the operations in Vietnam, 174 individuals have been interviewed
and/or debriefed. In fields of support, 79 officers have been
debriefed. In the review of special (sensitive) operations,
44 people have been interviewed or debriefed. In acquisition
of existing reports and Other historical material, 20 officers
have been interviewed and have provided specific support and
broad assistance through their staffs. In other words, 317
individuals in the Agency have directly contributed to the
development of this history. This does not include the many
officers and clerks who have given their time In the normal
fulfillment of their responsibilities in such areas as RI, the
Vietnam Desk and the support and desk offices throughout the
Clandestine Services. They have processed correspondence,
located personnel and doeuments, provided additional typing
assistance when needed, and otherwise supported ma in this effort
On Vietnam.
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A number of projects still have to be reviewed. Thirteen
individuals with former r sponsibilities in Vietnam have yet to
be interviewed or to complete their interview reports. Approxi-
mately 85 of the finished reports which have been typed still
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arts will be maintained appropriately
ne ocontrol.. The integrated historical summary
not carry oryptonyms and pseudonyms, discuss operational
teehniques or treat unilateral and sensitive operations. It
will be Considered a document which can be used throughout the
Agsny where the need exists. It and some of the sub-reports
wiU be useful as OTR course material, Copies of the reports
which have been received from the DOS* DDI and DDS&T components
will be returned to the office of those Deputy Directors for
their reference. Also debriefing reports from their officers
(wherein these reports donot divulge details of operational
teehniqueS, erntonyms, shnoitive operations, and the like) will
also be returned to the appropriate Deputy Directors for attach-
ment to their segments of the history. Also a full text of the
overall history will be filed in each Deputy Direotorts office
for the use of his people,
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Attachment to Memo for
Record - 26 Jan 1965
VN HAstory
Supportin
Reports
Agency Action
HISTORY OF THE AGENCY ACTIVITY IN VIETNAM
Liaison Mission
Military Mission
Operations
January 1965
Status Report
, Basic Latus
!Reese ch, Material 1st Rough .Reviewed Report
i Begun Assembled Completed an4 Edited Completed
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Nationa
2594Ater
gat on
X
TSD support to VN
----- -
Reports of Operations
in addition to or in
lieu of Debriefings)
"b-e-biTesfiii---Rep7irts
Sensitive CL
Sensitive TU
Sensitive NI"
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X (2nd)
X
4
(in pro-
cess) 39 (43)
(in pro- ' 151 (178)
eess)
,(T-221)
A
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VN HA-litany
?upport1ng Basic
Reports o 'Research Material
Agency Action ' Begun 'Assembled
Training
Communications
Security
Medical
Logistic
OCI Rela ionships
ONE Relationships
ORR (including St FM &
25X1A OR) Relationships
IstRob Reviewed Reports
Completed and Edited Completed
X
OSI Relationships
OSA Relationships
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26 January 1965
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Meeting of 25 January 1965
1. A meetin25X1Aia WAS called b the undrind on 2 an
1965 to welcome
of the Clandestine Services, to the CIA Historical Staff.
BACKGROUND
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with them and withaf
and Mr *(the latter on part-time detail from the
FI staff), the early phases of planning for the CS historical
effort, and set out a course of action for each. They were
given copies of background memoranda and the Memorandum for
the DDIP of 30 November 1964 concerning the establishment of
the CS Historical Board. (The CS Notice 1-632 establishing
this Board was distributed throughout DDP in the third week
of January 1965.) The CS part of the overall Agency histori-
cal program and the means by which we might best pursue our
responsibilities within the purview of the Agency Historical
Staff were discussed.
3. All members of the CS group of the Historical Staff
(HS/CSG) have been asked to acquaint themselves with the
previous historical efforts of the Agency and the prior OSS
history. They have also been encouraged to deliberately build
into their own knowledges and experience basic concepts of
historical writing and methods of locating, approaching and
using the identified sources of information. This is to be
reflected in the guidance given individuals responsible for
drafting parts of the CS history.
4. 11111111111111 reviewed her experiences of the past
two and one-half months on documentation concerning the early
development of OPC. Many of her comments related to the
Executive Registry, where each of us will be working from
time to time, and her considerations of subject analysis and
indexing.
54 Our record systems should be developed in such a
fashion that CS officers participating in this program will
not have to concern themselves with excessive scanning of
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irrelevant pools of information. They should be able to use
our reference leads in acquiring individual pertinent docu-
ments. The various retired and active individual files and
coltectton of documents used thus far by
nd myself were discussed
o trtex con ant, gaps and shortcomings.
6. A large number of papers already written or being
prepared within the Clandestine Services will quite naturally
lend themselves to in elusion in the /ndex of CS History,
i.e., the Annual Assessments of the Oration1 Pro2rarn based 25X1
upon the Related Missions Directives,
Operational Highlights papers, Country ProgramA, Briefing
Books, annual budget submissions, policy papers. It wtl.1 be
necessary to develop a procedure for retaining and system-
atically maintaining such documents, probably at division and
senior staff level. Also, in the early stages of our activi-
ties, we must establish a program for halting the destruction
of other selected documents which are of permanent historical
value. These will include papers stipulating policies, action
decisions, directives, interdepartmental agreements, high-
level operational briefings, end related high-level management
papers.
4SPQN4I44Mga PE' TR4 H4/CSG
7. The primary task of the HS/CSG will be source loca-
tion and document analysis. The secondary task will be the
development of various historical reference tools, which in
part will be unique to the Clandestine Services. A third
HS/CSG responsibility will be to advise participants in the
CS historical program. We must be able to explain to them
the purpose behind the CS effort, to show them the relation-
ships between their own work and the total history, to pass
to them appropriate references and leads to "source centers,"
to outline for them the factors to be included in any CS
historical paper, to assure them on the assistance available
in the Historical Staff other than the above (i.e., review-
ing papers before final typing), and to advise them on inte-
grating such papers into the Index of CS History.
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undersigned will supervise and coordinate the
above efforts, inject the guidance and assistance of the CS
Historical Board into the work of the HS/CSG, and integrate
the CS historical program with overall Agency historical
planning. Second, in managing this program, he will main-
tain contact with officers at work on historical papers and
when appropriate will review with division and staff chiefs,
and other senior CS officers, the progress being made in
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their separate areas and the assistance which will be required
of them. These consultations will reflect advancements made
by the HS/CSG, determinations of the Historical Board, and
plans, priorities and projections of the CS historical program.
Third, the undersigned will serve as Executive Secretary o
the CS Historical Board and will submit proposals for consid-
eration by the Board.
9 M. first., will ensure that all sources of
CS documentation are located and their contents reviewed to
the end that CS material of historical value is brought into
historical focus. (Material reviewed which appears to have
little or no continuing value may be brought to the attention
of the appropriate Records Management Officer.) The purpose
shall, therefore, be to "winnow the wheat from the chaff" in
the retired files and to appropriately locate and then record
(by actual copy and/or reference) each item of historical
value. Also, will ensure that such material which
is being held in active or semi-active state will be similar-
5X1A ly recorded in the reference records. Thus, documents which
have historical value will be identified and Incorporated
in the Index of CS History. Second,is responsible
for preparing necessary guidance papaT-Mirprecedural hand-
books. These papers will include the necessary statements of
purpose and procedure, subject matter, form and method, al).
propriate referencing techniques, and debriefing plans. His
third task, and related to this effort, will be the develop-
ment of necessary instructions regarding the handling of
sensitive material which is to become part of the Index of
CS History, including the use of cryptonyms, pseudonyms and
other precautionary techniques.
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10. Mt.has been asked to develop an indicator
to be placed
on of historical value, preferably a
stamp for marking the top page would be used; it should indi-
cate that the item is "HISTORICAL INFORMATION" or "HISTORICAL
MATERIAL." This would permit issuance of a later instruction
giving the necessary procedures of control and review prior
to destruction of an item so marked.
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it. The HS/CSG will receive priorities, names of recom-
mended draftsmen, and action papers from the CS Historical
Board. first, will maintain the listing of
priorities. Second, she control the Index of personnel
considered and recommended for use in the writing of segments
of the CS history; progress will be carefully followed and
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of CS History, the status of each element.
Third, Mrs. will establish and maintain the Index
status reports made on these recommenda ions for the Board.
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12. To strengthen the archival records of CS historical
documents, we must establish the required indices including
appropriate notations of essential documents. Miss 25X1
first, is the focal point for this part of the HS/CSG effort,
to include development of card formats and index procedures.
Second, she will establish and maintain the file of individuals
who have drafted or are otherwise reflected in documents under
review. Third, en appropriate posting system of organization-
al chronology of the Clandestine Services, including atypical
staff units ommittees, and boards, will be maintained by
13, The HS/CSG will provide the mechanism for carrying
out the CS historical program and for steering the efforts
being made within the Clandestine Services under the priori-
ties established by the CS Historical Board. This carries
with it the responsibility for putting retired and in-use
documents of historical value into appropriate archival order,
taking any additional steps--if required--to halt destruction
of essential DIV records of historical importance, and apply-
ing the findings, opinions and guidance of the CS Historical
Board to the program. In order to apply to the maximum the
expertise developed by each of the HS/CSG officers, we will
work as a well-knit team each freely consulting with the
others and contributing to the fulfillment of the prescribed
jobs. As indicated earlier, in order to enhance their pro-
ductive fforte, the CS members of the Historical Staff have
been enjoined by ma to make the fullest utilization of the
historical and editorial know-how of the other Historical
Staff members, to develop effective teamwork and to integrate
our efforts wherever beneficial and feasible.
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MEMORAXDTJM FOR THE RECORD
UWE= :
.3.0.74411111M
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9 March 1965
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In order to organize our thinking and to establish an
initial procedure for the recording of personality information
and CS chronological information, specific examples were taken
up and conclusions drawn.
It VAS decided that it would not be propitious or economic,
at this point, to make an exhaustive effort at acquiring a com-
plete a set of organizational charts, and names of key indi-
viduals (branch chiefs and above) against the organizational 25X1A
charts, even for the period prior to the amalgamation o nd
Thus, it was decided that
would not limit the emphasis of
tion of components and reconstruction of the organizational
charts which would reflect the evolution of the command struc-
25X1A ture of 1111111111i. Rather, it would be the responsibility of
all officers of the HS/CSG to make written note of information
relevant to the Index of Knowledgeable Persons and the Index of
CS Chronology. It has been the intent all along for each officer
of the H$/CSG to assume a personal responsibility for submission
of appropriate information into the above two indices.
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To facilitate this effort it has been decided that
would prepare a recording/reporting format. This format is
be in a list form and so set up that it could be handily used
for quickly jotting down essential factors as they appeared in
material being read. At the outset, the listings will be sent
to once a week. She will check the biographic
details of individuals and information relating to the chronology
of the Clandestine Services against the two indices mentioned
above. That information which is already recorded in the related
index and, therefore, duplicating in nature would be ignored;
that information which is new would be checked in the margin.
Following the analytical note-taking and checking against
the indices, the items checked as containing new information
would be submitted for appropriate typing on cards to be returned
will be responsible for inserting t
for insertion in the proper index. AppapiliMpipp 25X1A
. e will
dices may be properly maintained. will prepare
be provided with appropriate inst . that the in-
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a sample card format for the Knowledgeable Persons information
and an appropriate number of examples, possibly three or four,
which can then be used by any typist in preparing cards for
the Index.
Following this meeting the above info tion wa reviewed
with VommlimmemmOmm
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EMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
Comments on'Meeting with
Executive Registry
_._ 1. On 18 March 1965, I had a-66.n.fer WI'
Chief of the Executive Registry,. In 't.'?1104i dcuSbWL,
-_ -,
him of the progress being made in theAiS/CS a.4101'th sci''.41-m.,..
,
that elements of the CS history were being ri10-41. ?further -
informed him that it was the consensus of t 4 HS 'CSG members
that before long more individuals would be desirous of using the 1
sour(e material held in the Executive RmfAry,
2, In light of the above. I aske1111111111if he could,
therefore furnish the HS CSG with the shelf list of 1-(H.ders
presently held and the record of folders already transmitted to
the Records Center, He agreed to do so, but was not certain _how
much value this would be to us most of the folders are main-
tained by organizatD.nal breakdown_ However he agreed to pull
together the shelf lists and provide them to us On the morning
f 19 March,
25X1A? .uled the undersigned and advised that he
would make a complete c(py of his 5 x 8 record'be,ok for HS 'CSG.
It contains reference to all items previously transmitted to
the Records Center; some of these pages hold information which
may be helpful in identifying folders likely to hold CS source
material.
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3, is in complete accord with our plan for stamp-
ing documents determined to be of historical value to the Clan-
destine Services Se we can now use the stamp on the materials
of the Executive Registry,
4, I discussed our plans regarding the duplication of TS
documents in certain Instances or. the transferring '1 second
copies in other Instances; also, where in our judgment documents
presently held in the Executive Registry would come under ex-
tensive uSe by writers of historical papers, we intend insure
that a copy of eachsuch document would be available in the
3. 11111111is interested in having the Executive Pegistry
support the CS historical effort in any way possible. He will 25X1A
extend the services of the Registry in every. way possible through
the regular control procedures,
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