128. Memorandum From the Director of Central Intelligence (Vandenberg) to Secretary of State Byrnes 0

SUBJECT

  • External Activities of the Central Intelligence Group

All activities of the Strategic Services Unit will be discontinued effective 19 October 1946.

[Page 303]

Coincident therewith, the Special Operations Office of the Central Intelligence Group will assume responsibility for the conduct of espionage and counter-espionage operations in the field for the collection of foreign intelligence information required for the national security. Every possible effort is being made to extend and develop foreign coverage. Only a limited number of carefully selected individuals formerly with Strategic Services Unit will be employed to inaugurate the program under the new auspices.

It is, and will continue to be, the primary objective of Special Operations, Central Intelligence Group, to make a real contribution to the effective operation of the various departments of the Government.

It is requested that interested agencies of the State Department be advised of the above.

Hoyt S. Vandenberg

Lieutenant General, USA
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Records of the Department of State, Decimal File 1945–49, 101.5/9–1246. Top Secret. Similar memoranda were sent to the other NIA principals.