What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified record from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated August second, nineteen-fifty, is a memorandum concerning an unidentified letter to the Secretary of Defense about intelligence activity in China. It provides an early glimpse into post-World War Two American intelligence appraisals of covert operations in the region. This document was released by the Central Intelligence Agency and is available through the Black Vault archive at documents2.theblackvault.com. The document is a memorandum for General Bradley, from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Intelligence Group, dated August second, nineteen-fifty. Subject: Unidentified Letter to The Secretary of Defense Concerning Intelligence Activity in China. One. After careful study of subject letter in conference with selected persons who are intimately familiar with intelligence activities in the area concerned, I offer the following appraisal for your consideration: a. These comments appear to be a translation from the Chinese. The form and substance was very similar to the terms of reference given to S-A-C-O during the war. There is more than a strong hint that Chinese Nationalist propaganda may be involved. b. The action proposed might possibly be feasible, using Chinese undercover agents (no Americans), although it is believed that such agents would have considerably more difficulty operating clandestinely in Communist held areas than the same agents had operating against the Japanese while working with S-A-C-O. Such covert activity, if successful, would, of course, improve our current intelligence coverage of the area. Admiral Miles estimates that the cost to start such a project would not be less than ten million dollars initially. c. Hong Kong is not considered suitable as a base for such clandestine operations due to probable British objections, and possible direct interference with our activities which would not be under their control. d. Action proposed would be helpful should we actually become involved in conflict with Chinese Communists on the Mainland. I doubt that it is politically expedient now. The State Department would probably heartily disapprove of any such activity under present circumstances. Two. Since C-I-A would implement such a program if adopted, it is suggested that this correspondence be referred to Admiral Hillenkoetter for comment with respect to his current activities in that area and the necessity for augmenting his intelligence coverage in China. Three. The Joint Intelligence Group tentatively evaluates this correspondence as a possible attempt on the part of the author to establish himself as one of the administrators of the project. There is a strong suspicion that the offer is not altogether altruistic and may possibly have some Chinese Nationalist propaganda connotations. It is recommended, therefore, that you advise The Secretary of Defense to acknowledge the letter and indicate his interest in receiving more information from this source. The…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-007Declassified

Filed NOV 6 · 2026Runtime 1 min

CIA This Declassified Record From The Joint Chiefs Of Staff, Dated August Second

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 6, 2026

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This declassified record from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated August second, nineteen-fifty, is a memorandum concerning an unidentified letter to the Secretary of Defense about intelligence activity in China. It provides an early glimpse into post-World War Two American intelligence appraisals of covert operations in the region.

Date: NOV 6 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was CIA This Declassified Record From The Joint Chiefs Of Staff, Dated August Second about?: This declassified record from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated August second, nineteen-fifty, is a memorandum concerning an unidentified letter to the Secretary of Defense about intelligence activity in China. It provides an early glimpse into post-World War Two American intelligence appraisals of covert operations in the region.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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CIA This Declassified Record From The Joint Chiefs Of Staff, Dated August Second

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