[1]“ioe tg 10066- 10076) : {2025 RE RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 iN Ime RV
[4]c
[6]7 . | | rs a LA, tay
[8]MEMO FOR FILE
[10]SUBJECT Cc : ors (late TSD) and Jim McCord's Cuban Activities
[12]te Ben Colling “phoned to say that one of the fellowsin ja.
[13]is ‘still around, and after he got out he i ‘inquired around and got no
[14]indication that McCord Was ever involved. Hone of the other OTS people: _
[15]have any recollection of McCord's involvement.
[17]2. I said that I was sure that the man who was rolled up
[19]. night not have any idea pf MeCord's invotvenent, if indeed he was .
[21]involved, If McCord 's involvelenent was merely headquarters Blanks
[22]and no releasing operation was ever undertaken his role might never ~
[23]surface. However, we had been told that planning-did involve. TD
[24]pople at the tine, along with -ecurity. For instance, I knew that
[26]the Security man with TSD at the tine had a job of hand -yolding vith
[28]. the families of the thre men; there may be some TSD record of that.
[29]which would lead to someone who would Imowe .
[30]| Be ColLing was pulled out of a staff necting to tall to me 2 and a |
[31]said he would call back later. |
[33]SDB
[35]ETURNTO CIA
[36]sper Use Only
[37]Do Not Reproduce
[39]sty
[41]14-00000
[43]DIRE
[45]CTOR ¢ OF CENTRAL
[47]_ MEMORANDUM FOR:
[49]an office in Havana in the El 1 Medico ‘Building which { is. ; occupied :-
[50]_ partly i by. business concerns and. partly used for residential. apart
[51]‘ments. Shortly: théreafter,® the Havana stae ion ‘obtained ‘the con:
[52]currence of Ambassador Bonsal and Miss Carolyn O. Stacey, an
[53]Embassy employee,’ to mount an audio operation against NCNA through:
[54]the wall of the adjacent apartment in which Migs Stacey lived, - In « :
[55]November 1959, the FE Division sent one case officer andene TSD :
[56]technician to Havana; and the installation of a snicrophone and tape
[57]recorder was completed 3 in Miss Stacey's apartment on 29 November -
[59]1959. 3. - - Sos rr
[61]on Be By June. 1940, it had become evident that ¢ two of her = 700
[62]occupied by NCNA possibl + ‘housed. communicatic
[63]were used for conferences, At that time Bey
[64]case officer, went to Havana and explored the possi
[65]the operation. a & managed to lease an. spartment<
[67]; 3. Tn’ August 1950, a team of three TSD technicians who were.
[68]. in Havana on a separate SR Division operation agreed to install the
[69]woe additional equipment required for the NGNA operation, A second FE.
[70]. ‘Division case officer, Robert Neet, came down to Havana; and he,
[71]together “with the technicians, installed 3 robe microphone and tape
[72]a recorder in the apartment obtained by[MiNi ey over the NONA office. oe t ce
[73]1: ‘About this time the equipment was removed from Miss Stacey's =... .
[74]: aztment, with the exceotion of the plastic probe which was deft eo ae Se
[76]‘the wall.and plastered over,
[78]Hl
[81]14-00000
[83]: David L. Christ {alias Carswell), Walter E.. Ssuminski {alias
[85]4, As an additional security precaution to provide a safe ~. _
[86]haven, and after consultation with the Acting Chief of Station, akey | - _-
[87]to an apartment in the same building leased by Mrs. Marjorie tel
[88]Lennox, an Embassy secretary, was obtains ed, Mrs, Lennox was
[89]told that access to her apartment: was ne eded foz photographic S
[90]surveillance’ ‘Purposes.
[92]; 5.) si the probability that time
[93]2nd sc enity ‘would work ‘against helding indefinitely the lease to
[94]the apartment over-NCNA since the owners ‘of the building. were.
[95], cancelling sub-lessors' contracts ‘and recalling leases. It WAS, °
[96]therefore, decided to install transmitters and switches in order to’
[97]permit continued monitoring of the target ffom a distant listening”
[98]post. Another. three.-man teara of TSD technicians consisting of
[100]Taransky) and Thornton J. Anderson falias ‘Danbrent} documented: :
[101]as tourists had been sent to Havana to install audio equipment in the-
[102]Chinese Nationalist Embassy before it was due to be turned overto |
[103]the Chinese Communits. This operation aborted, This teamwas.: -.
[104]then sent to work on the installation of the transmit ters in the apart...
[105]ment over the NCNA office. oe
[107]6. At 2400 hours on 14 September, Christ, who with the a hd
[108]her technicians was working in the target apartment, failed to kee ep: 7
[109]scheduled appointment with Neet. At 0100 hours on the 15th of *
[110]ptember, the apartment of Dire. Tannox was entered into and.
[111]sched by Suban authorities, and.shs was teken into custedy, ”. 7
[112]on 15 September, “Neat, the stay-behind agent and his: wife-
[114]we
[116]mY 4) Ww O
[119]were pi icked up by the’ Cuban ¢ author rit ies and detained, 6
[121]ciate.
[123]As of today the a agent vernains in the custody of the Cuban’
[124]authorities, His wife bas been released end is still in Havana, Neet
[126]was released.1715 hours 16 September and has subsequently returned..
[127]to Washington wheres he is being debriefed... Mrs.. Lennox waa =.) +.
[129]subsequently released and has also zs eturne to Wa shington where she
[130]is being debriefed, The three 7sD te eemniciens ‘remain in con: finement,
[133]Cnurist was last sez gated
[134]the morning of 15 Septembar, At that time Christ did not appear
[136]14-00000
[138]men by alias and. have not. identified t them as Government or Agency
[139]‘upon % by the technicians and station pez rsonnel to i be ‘used in “ie é en
[141]: indicated that Neet ’ was his boss, and Neet consistently Ly denied. any
[142]_ knowledge as-to why: she was. being. held,} “The: subd-1 ease ‘for’ the:
[144]. apartment in which the men were caught is in the name of the stay-
[145]behind - agent | with, the original jease being in the. name. Offi
[146]FE Division. Case Oificer, me
[148]; they were in custody, wee.
[150]. leaving: ‘Cuba 2s touri ists since the filling out of the Janeing: card -
[152]to have been maltreated,
[154]8, “According to articles in n the Guban papers the three -..
[155]technicians were arrested.while in the apar rtment over the NGNA
[156]office and completing the installation of the equipment, The oo
[157]press article adds that the key to Mrs, Lennox's apar rtment was
[158]found on one, ‘of. the tect hnicians who identified the apartment. to:
[159]which it belonged,” “AL Cudan press releases have referred t to ‘the
[161]mployees..' Tt is unclear’ at present what’ story had béen: ‘agreed
[163]they * ware caught . (While being interrogated with Neet, ‘Christ
[165]is}. the.
[167]- 9. Initial inforr motion indica ated 3 that. the. three technicians would |
[168]be charged with espionage "against the people of Chinat'..._ Subsequent |
[169]press releases have been unclear on this point,- An att exant by Consul =~:
[171]Hugh. Kessler. to. conte act the three men at 1730-hours on 17. September (/---*
[172]was unsuccessfil, . He- was Rot per mitted to see them but was told. :
[174]; “The three technicians travelled to Ce cha ast cuzists. under ;
[175]very tight commercial cover, two.of them working iez a. company in
[176]New ‘York and the third, 0 ein Baltimore, , in each ‘case “the cover
[178]door. : - Tale phone messages. and znail are e-picked'e p pe sriodicel ly} by an:
[179]Agency contract employes. The men were ‘provided with this cover °
[180]as well as unbackstopped home addresses for use when entering or:
[182]requires this information, Subsequent to their detenti ion the home™
[183]addresses have been paxtialiy backstopped so-that i nquiries will
[184]dicate that someone with this alias name had lived in the apartment
[185]20use in question, Insofar as tne cover companies are concerned, |.
[186]forts are being made to provide a backstop to withstand inquiries ..
[189]rom the press shouid the Cubans reveal this information. In view
[191]Bt 5
[195]14-00000
[197]+ ART a Sete ork eeprom men Ee ke . . cm ane
[198]STM ee Ae AE eae Mee een eke tek oe *
[200]other inguirers...The law firm has bean brieie
[202]. token, will keep in touch with him as the Cubans reveal their. ‘inten
[204]- over the whole situation and determine if there war
[206]‘and whe ether recognizable pactog grap
[207]‘to the press.” “The two wives so > faz
[209]cf the thinness cf the cover, it.is uncertain whether this will succeed, .
[210]‘li, A cleared and Witting law firm in ‘Now York has been brisfed : ~
[211]by Mr. i. Houston, on the situation with the though nt that inquiries _
[212]received by the cover company could he referred to the firm of
[213]tained by the press or.
[215]re
[216]was
[218]lawyers from whom no comment would be obtain
[219]ed on the éntire situa-
[221]tion .so that they may be ina zB sition to sct it any action by them =
[222]eppears ‘desirable or feasible: Te would aot appear thet snuch suppor
[223]of any kind can be obtained from the law firm or the law firm ms in:
[225]Cuba’ which : az e ‘Associated withthem.,
[227]the
[229], 12, “Insofar ; as ‘the families are concerned, one of the technicians
[230]is a ‘bachelor presently on home. leave be ween two tours in Spang) :
[231]His. father, a cook in a diner in the Boston. Brea, Bas been contacted
[232]by the Gifice of Security, and he will get in touch with Security i if.
[233]he receives any inquiries on this matter, Security, by the sam
[235]tions and, COUTSS of action. - ce ee
[237]a 43, The wives of the cthe r two technicians have brea told what
[238]has Happened anda are being contacted at least.once daily py TSD.- :
[239]staffers and their wives who have bee en briefed on the Situation. A a _
[241]conference with the two wives was held in TSD' en 1g
[242]2
[244]problems on which the Agsacy ‘could be of help, -
[246]the wives are telling theiz neighbors t
[248]trip. This story will be adjusted erentins. on what course
[249]the Cuban Government takes, whether t 2 aliases remain nabroken 7
[251]1
[255]well...
[257]Distribution:
[258]DCI - Wi -3
[259]DDCI- 1 ‘ Bait 1
[260]BD/P - i OS -i
[261]COPS -1 Ste i
[263]Seer ener punter Re oe erie
[268]Sigewes
[270]ed
[272]NEMORAY DUM RE STESCALADE ,
[274]. ¢ ne 20 Septerher 1956
[278]There is a folder of sensitive non-725/ material vartainiy g to this. -
[279]operation, retired under Black Taoe wrapping, Job #57-86/78, restricted .
[280]to Offices of DOL, DDSI, DOP, S/H, o/iH/PL, o/vl/s, C/cl, 3/TSD, Director —
[281]of Security and General Counsel. China Operations is not cited as an” . ; .
[282]originator, addressee, or info resipient of any of this sensitive’ oe ; a
[283]material. i . ; AR
[285]WH/RMO
[287]'
[288]WE sat yy
[289]“it Fu
[290]face SEGRE TP,
[292]14-0000G> . _
[296]RELEASE CONT?
[298]CHART OR MAY RES
[300]Siegen t 2 sy yeres shape
[301]UPTO LON AL wea
[303]TASK O2G8 Hoe aT Gis
[305]Bet. 1, 1Ossth Ger
[306]Billy Bo Gavpbell, Tonce
[308]1. SEUUATIC
[310]oe re ere
[312]Yaniol Lb. Corgve A 4 Geore
[313]R. Teransky (Alies) arg ‘Oy
[315]Cupan authorities £2 Sept nabew LG
[316]eeu. EPforts are: Pshag ante to :
[317]way cose withent advan navies i
[318]Mian, Mevtea Chew, suit
[319]eoutsirngent
[320]emicyees.
[322]Iaywa
[323]ae Was
[327]The vontrelLidag 2s
[328]that toes: envbe
[330]> secsen pupae
[331]3. ESS
[333]6514
[335]14-00000
[339]a & .
[340]: ‘ 3.
[341]i
[342]- 4
[343]gubjerts
[345]end off-losting points.
[347]cal
[350]age
[352]RAgnest for pilewk tremazgers ghowlé ind ia:
[354]an Gn en an Ge
[356]TNCEMOY OLA:
[358]i. Res mieut that RELA co iT 62-2 be ieplemented.
[360]2. Port oF entry.
[361]rh
[363]eal time, arn ohetiels
[369]a
[371]Duta,
[372]Dasizred destinston.
[374]Other remrlrezaeats, dea., otvete
[375]houg ital CALEB.
[377]5.
[378]are
[380]6.
[382]hers o: bunks in the event
[384]Name, organization end telephone mbar Be roqunating vex tye ;
[386]7. Name end telepaexe mucher of EUBERIK 2atesss at Teatin
[388]The following pergounel cre rnowledgeabie ond “sate i wath th
[390]respnasibilisy of aetivat ting Uaioe elar:
[394]tT. Ss: ESI ai/asp/0o/? .
[395]Ais Cupmert ivisies, D/P
[397]2. Major Rishart.
[399]Home Phone:
[401]. OMiee Faene:
[403]Ary qu): OS
[404]Stari, As Hort
[408]mE BGS 25
[410]. Oramateatic Hy
[411]Hare Phom?:
[412]Ogviee Fhene:
[414]Grate
[416]LL. . :
[417]tional Beale iisn ani .
[419]Mejor Billy 4.
[423]Tenivivg Cxaug, Egiiu dip Forge Base, Floridy.
[424]Howe Phone: esis ° a --
[425]Office Phenet Eglin Abe Free: > Florida “631580
[427]fay Ret. Re
[428]siragionel Bralnetion
[429]Egita dix Perse meee, F
[431]urtoa, Oss
[432]3 RE pi)
[433]. Crt,
[435]Mejor Keuwsete I
[438]uw 4
[440]eft a AT
[442]14-00000 .. - =; . et 4
[443]i i nn oD
[444]Gok O-ReRT
[445]-~ 3 on
[447]D. Het. b furnish 1 U-54 ana oeett an standby ecesaeity until
[448]further nodes. Stantby capecity is heroin deVinead as espability ho
[449]pooition the ejzeratt at any gort of cubry in eest, smth er simuthyest:
[450]U. S. from Easton to Los fngeles within 25 heures. ;
[452]EB. f#seuntings the subjevts whi be vellugesed Jn Havana cr Mezico
[453]City, Bebb, 1 vill preyere mission folilers Ser Flights frea reat
[454]. Broveblis porte of entry te Taclstien end Andrews Aly Ferte Base,
[456]03 a
[458]Distribvizon: | |
[459]Crag. & 2 = CL Stave
[461]a
[465]Gad Ud US bd dd bad Cd Gd
[467]ts
[468]F
[471]‘3