104 10123 10407

104-10123-10407

ADMINISTRATIVE INTERNAL USE ONLY

4 August 1966

MEMORANDUM FOR: Security Advisor, Honor and Merit Awards Board SUBJECT : Honor Recommendation for JAMES W. MCCORD, JR.

The attached recommendation for an Honor and Merit Award is forwarded for your information and recommendations concerning any security measures that should be taken in the processing of this award.

Attachment

Distribution: Orig Addressee 1 HMAB Case File

ELLIN L. BEATTY Executive Secretary/HMAB

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RECOMMENDATION FOR HONOR OR MERIT AWARD (Submit in duplicate)

TO: Secretariat, Honor and Merit Awards Board FROM: Director of Security Personal Data 1. NAME OF PERSON RECOMMENDED (Last, First, Middle) McCORD, James W., Jr. HQTRS 3. GRADE 4. SD 15 SS 5. OFFICE OF ASSIGNMENT OS/Technical Division HEADQUARTERS 6. FIELD 7. HOME ADDRESS 6801 Floyd Ave., Springfield, Va. 4192 U. S. Birth 10. RECOMMENDED AWARD Certificate of Distinction 12. NAME OF NEXT OF KIN Sarah Ruth McCord 13. RELATIONSHIP Wife 14. HOME ADDRESS Same as 7 15. HOME PHONE 451-5279 Recommendation for Award for Heroic Action or Acceptance of Hazard 16. WERE YOU AN EYEWITNESS TO THE ACT YES NO Personnel in immediate vicinity or who assisted in act or shared in same hazard: 17. FULL NAME 18. ORGN. TITLE 19. GRADE 20. OFFICE OF ASSIGNMENT

List any of the above persons given an award or recommended for award for participating in act: 21. FULL NAME 22. TYPE OF AWARD

Conditions under which act was performed: 23. LOCATION 24. INCLUSIVE DATES 25. TIME OF DAY

  1. PREVAILING GEOGRAPHIC CONDITIONS AND OBSTACLES ENCOUNTERED

Recommendation for Award for Achievement, Service, or Performance 27. DO YOU HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SERVICE OR PERFORMANCE YES 28. OFFICIAL ASSIGNMENT AT TIME OF SERVICE OR PERFORMANCE Chief, Technical Division, OS

  1. COMPONENT OR STATION Headquarters
  2. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervises the activities of the Technical Division, OS

Personnel who assisted or contributed substantially to the service or performance 31. FULL NAME 32. ORGN. TITLE 33. GRADE 34. OFFICE OF ASSIGNMENT MARCY, William M. Elec. Engr. PETIT, Alan F. Elec. Engr. 10 13 OS/Technical Division OS/Technical Division

List any of the above persons given an award or recommended for award for participating in the performance 35. FULL NAME 36. TYPE OF AWARD MARCY, William M. PETIT, Alan F. Certificate of Distinction

  1. INCLUSIVE DATES FOR WHICH RECOMMENDED 38. ASSIGNMENT COMPLETED
  2. NOW IN SAME OR RELATED ASSIGNMENT YES NO YES NO

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Award for Heroic Action or Acceptance of Hazard: Was act voluntary? Describe why act was outstanding, and if it was more than normally expected. Explain, why, and how. If an aerial or marine operation, describe type and position of craft, crew position of individual, and all unusual circumstances. Indicate results of the act.

Award for Achievement, Service, or Performance: State character of service during period for which recommended. What did the individual do that merits the award? Why was this outstanding when compared to others of like grade and experience in similar positions or circumstances? If appropriate, include production records and assistance rendered by other persons or units. What obstacles were encountered or overcome? Indicate results of achievement, service, or performance. Include reference to Fitness Reports, Letters of Commendation, or other documentation already on file which supports this recommendation.

From early December 1965 through May 1966, Messrs. James W. McCord, Jr., Alan F. Petit, and William M. Marcy, of the Technical Division, Office of Security, spent many off-duty hours in experimentation with various items of equipment in an effort to improve and strengthen the Agency's Audio-cntermeasures Program. They conceived and developed a unique techr in fluoroscopic scanning which is considered to be a major breakthrough in the detection of clandestine microphones and other devices targeted against the Agency. It gives the Agency for the first time the capability to detect hidden technical listening de- vices a capability for which the intelligence community has expended large sums of money to develop in a variety of approaches. This tech-- nique will not only benefit the security of all Agency installations at home and abroad, but will be of utmost benefit to other agencies in the community. This technique was met with wide acclaim by the intelligence community and the Technical Security Countermeasures Committee.

In experimenting with the X-ray in combination with a fluoroscopic screen, these men showed this combination had distinct advantages in terms of time and effort over the considerably more expensive X-ray film and processor. In further refinement of this technique, they designed an innovation in the form of a fluoroscopic cloth which has the distinct advantage of flexibility over the fluorescent screens currently available on the commercial market. CONTINUED ON ATTACHED SHEET 41. ENCLOSURES (List individually) If orginator is not an eyewitness or does not have personal knowledge of the act or performance, attach affidavits of eyewitness or individuals having personal knowledge of the facts. 1. PROPOSED CITATION

  1. RECOMMENDATION INITIATED BY
  2. TITLE AND SIGNATURE OF OFFICIAL MAKING RECOMMENDATION
  3. DATE Ermal P. Geiss Deputy Director of Security 7/28/66

Recommendation Forwarded Through Officials Concerned For Their Information 45. Head of Career Service

Acting Director of Security 7/29/66 46. TITLE AND SIGNATURE DATE Deputy Director of Operating Component

47. TITLE AND SIGNATURE DATE Deputy Director of Career Service Deputy Director for Support 3 AUG 1965

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Fection D Continued James W. McCord, Jr.

To further enhance the use of this equipment, these nen developed an inconspicuous, easily transportable package, consisting of two attache cases which hold the x-ray fluoro- scopic equipment, wall racks, and motor units. This makes it possible for an audio-countermeasures team to enter offices, residences, and safehouses without undue attention.

These men have shown great ingenuity and resourcefulness in the application and development of this audio-countermeasure. technique. Through their further efforts in package design they contributed significantly to the future clandestine use of this technique on a world-wide basis. This technique provides the Agency for the first time a procedure through which large in- terior wall surfaces, room furnishings, and objects can be rapidly scanned in "real time" in the search for hostile tech- nical penetrations. This capability will significantly enhance the security of all Agency installations.