What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a September twelfth, nineteen-fifty-three, memorandum from Pacific Command to the U.S. Naval Attache for China, requesting military intelligence on Hainan Island. This document, originally marked Secret, sheds light on the intelligence gathering efforts of the United States in the early Cold War era. This record was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act and is publicly available from The Black Vault, at documents2.theblackvault.com. It was declassified on May thirtieth, nineteen-seventy-nine, under the authority of the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O case F-Two-Thousand-Sixteen, by R-P-M-S review. The document, titled "Military intelligence from N-G-R-C; request for," states: "From: Commander in Chief Pacific To: U.S. Naval Attache and Naval Attache for Air to China. Subj: Military intelligence from N-G-R-C; request for. One. A check of the files of this headquarters reveals that a gap exists at present in the intelligence coverage of HAINAN Island. It is believed that the National Government Republic of China has information available which would assist in completing the files. For your information, Admiral Kwei has stated in the past that the N-G-R-C forces, when they evacuated HAINAN in nineteen-forty-nine, had managed to bring out the intelligence files which contained maps, charts, photographs, and other pertinent information. Two. It is requested that the G-Two, M-N-D (Major General LAI) be informed that the Commander in Chief Pacific is hereby submitting a request for information on HAINAN Island in accordance with the agreement for the exchange of intelligence between the M-N-D and C-I-N-C-P-A-C. The intelligence desired includes all pertinent information of the area; particularly maps, charts, and photographs to the largest scale available. An early reply listing the available intelligence items is requested. Three. During the recent visit of the Commander in Chief Pacific and members of his staff to Formosa, Major General LAI informed the Joint Intelligence Officer, C-I-N-C-P-A-C, that the request for a plot of available N-G-R-C photography of the China mainland was being answered. To date no reply has been received to this request, which is the only intelligence requested of the M-N-D prior to that contained in paragraph Two, above. Information as to the status of the request is desired. Four. Reproduction of this document in whole or in part is prohibited except with the permission of the issuing office. Signed, S.A. Frankel, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence." This document, issued by Pacific Command, highlights the strategic importance of Hainan Island during the nineteen-fifties and the ongoing intelligence exchange between the U.S. and the National Government of the Republic of China. It serves as a reminder that intelligence gathering is often a collaborative and continuous process, even across international partners. This is what the public record…

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.

Today, We Examine A September Twelfth, Nineteen Fifty Three, Memorandum

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. S. Naval Attache for China, requesting military intelligence on Hainan Island. This document, originally marked Secret, sheds light on the intelligence gathering efforts of the United States in the early Cold War era. com. It was declassified on May thirtieth, nineteen-seventy-nine, under the authority of the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O case F-Two-Thousand-Sixteen, by R-P-M-S review.

Date: OCT 3 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a September twelfth, nineteen-fifty-three, memorandum from Pacific Command to the U.S. Naval Attache for China, requesting military intelligence on Hainan Island. This document, originally marked Secret, sheds light on the intelligence gathering efforts of…

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Questions about this case

What was Today, We Examine A September Twelfth, Nineteen Fifty Three, Memorandum about?: This is Declassified. S. Naval Attache for China, requesting military intelligence on Hainan Island. This document, originally marked Secret, sheds light on the intelligence gathering efforts of the United States in the early Cold War era. com. It was declassified on May thirtieth, nineteen-seventy-nine, under the authority of the National Archives and Records Administration, A-A-R-O case F-Two-Thousand-Sixteen, by R-P-M-S review.
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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