What did the declassified documents reveal?

This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a cable from July fourteenth, nineteen-fifty-one, concerns the organization of clandestine and covert operations in the Far East. It highlights a critical early debate over the chain of command for intelligence activities. This document is available on documents two dot the black vault dot com. This document was declassified under an unknown authority and released by The Black Vault as part of a larger collection of United States intelligence on China. The exact Freedom of Information Act case number is not provided in the archive entry. GENERAL HEADQUARTERS, FAR EAST COMMAND. OUTGOING MESSAGE. TOP SECRET. TOR, zero four zero three hundred zulu, July fourteenth, nineteen-fifty-one. From: G-I-N-C-H-E, Tokyo, Japan. To: G-I-N-U-N-G Advance. Personal for General Ridgway. Priority. G six six nine six four. Reference your message H-N-C zero seven nine, July thirteenth, nineteen-fifty-one. The two J-C-S papers bearing upon the subject matter of Smith's message to you, mentioned by Bolling as being enroute, have been received. They contain J-C-S recommendation to N-S-C on directives delineating responsibilities and functions as between J-C-S and D-O-D. One recommends that O-F-C, Covert Operations, be the responsibility of J-C-S representative, Theater Commander, in areas or projected areas of military operations. The other recommends that O-S-O, Clandestine Intelligence, be the responsibility of J-C-S representative, Theater Commander, in theaters of operations. Recommend your approval of the following reply to Smith's message of June twentieth: "One. After careful study of your proposal of June twentieth and of present J-C-S policies, one seven three five slash six three and one seven three five slash six eight just received, I feel covert operations and clandestine intelligence in F-E-C should be under my direct command with communications direct to you on technical and special administrative matters. Two. Both O-F-C and O-S-O should be used by me to the maximum extent of their capabilities in supporting my approved mission, just as any other specialized service. Recognizing predominant intelligence interest in covert operations and clandestine intelligence, they should receive their operational direction through traditional military staff structure. Three. So far as a single C-I-A commander is concerned, it would facilitate control were one individual responsible for both the covert operations and clandestine intelligence activities. I concur in a special staff section to control these matters, but covert operations are so tied in with intelligence work that I must make normal access to me through the intelligence channel. However, the proposed section would have full special staff status and the Chief thereof would, of course, have direct access to the Theater Chief of Staff, when desired." No decision has yet been made by N-S-C on the recommendations of the J-C-S. The proposed message is…

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.

This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Cable From July

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This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a cable from July fourteenth, nineteen-fifty-one, concerns the organization of clandestine and covert operations in the Far East. It highlights a critical early debate over the chain of command for intelligence activities. This document is available on documents two dot the black vault dot com.

Date: OCT 18 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
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What was This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Cable From July about?: This declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a cable from July fourteenth, nineteen-fifty-one, concerns the organization of clandestine and covert operations in the Far East. It highlights a critical early debate over the chain of command for intelligence activities. This document is available on documents two dot the black vault dot com.
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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This Declassified Central Intelligence Agency Record, A Cable From July

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