• P&P~E~fl: I 0 

USCIB: 4.2/15 

2fJ March 1954 

'l!QP SEl8RFJf 

MEMORANDlM FOR THE M»IBERS OF USCIB: 

Subject: USCIB Directive Number 13 (Capture of Enemy 

Cryptologic Material). 

The enclosed directive, approved by USCIB as of 26 March 1954, is 

forwarded for the information and guidance of all concerned. 

Enclosure 

CIBD #13. 

USCIB: 4.2/15 

ain, • avy 

cutive Secretary, USCIB 

Declassified and approved for release by NSA on 03-11-2014 pursuant to E. 0. 1352B 
PURPOSE 

USCIB DIRECTIVE NUMBER 13 ( CIBD #13) 

(Approved by USCIB as of 26 March 1954) 

CAPTURE OF ENEMY CRYPTOLOGIC MATERIAL 

1. It is the purpose of this Directive to set forth USCIB policy 

governing the ~apture by the U.S. Armed Services of enemy cryptologic 

material in ti.me of war. 

DEFINITION 

2. For the purpose of this Directive, cryptologic material is 

understood to include cryptographic documents, cryptographic equipment 

including related communications equipment, as well as cryptanalytic 

documents and devices. 

DISCUSSION 

3. The wartime capture of enemy cryptologic material will 8enerally occur as a result of pne of the following operations: 

a. A special operation planned with the capture of such 

material as a primary (or secondary) objective. 

b. A normal operation in which the capture of such material 

is incidental to the action, as for example, the overrunning or an 

eneDJ1' headquarters, the salvage of an enemy ship sunk in shallow water, 

or the recovery of a crashed enemy aircraft. 

TO:PSECRET 
4. Experience gained in World War II clearly shows that very great 

importance must be attached to the timely capture of enemy cryptologic 

equipment; it also shows, however, that serious harm may result if 

special operations for that purpose are planned without regard to the 

communications intelligence considerations involved. 

CONSIDERATIONS GOVERNING SPECIAL OPERATIONS 

5. A special U.S. Armed Service operation having as its primary 

objective the ce.pture of eneJl\Y' cryptologic material will be undertaken 

only when authorized by the Director, NSA, or his field representatives. 

6. A special U.S. Armed Service operation having as a secondary 

objective the capture of enerny cryptologic material will not be undertaken without prior reference to the Director, NSA, or his field 

representatives, for a determination as to whether the capture of such 

material will be in the best interests 

intelligence effort. 

of the Ocommunications 

EO 3.3(h)(2) 

PL 86-36/50 USC 3605 

7. On the basis of technical and operational considerations, the 

Director, NSA, will determine the individual items or types of enemy 

cryptologic material which warrant special operations to effect their 

capture. In such actions, the U.S. Armed Services will be furnished 

guidance by the Director, NSA, (in whatever detail he considers suitable and through appropriate channels) on the importance of these 

special operations, and how the materials in question may be located, 

recognized, and handled. 

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Approved - 26 March 1954 CIBD /ll'J 
REF ID:A5853 .. ra.r SEC·li:ET 

EO 3.3(h)(2) 

PL .86-36/50 USC 3605 

8. The Director, NSA, will maintain close cooperation with I .... ___ _. 

.__ _________ __.l COMINT authorities, as appropriate, in the 

planning of special operations. Where appropriate, coordination with 

NATO will be effected through 11Y1

' channels in the major NATO headquarters 

concerned. 

9. Insofar as practicable, existing COMINT channels, viz: -

NS~._ ______ ...... lwill be used for technical exchanges ot information 

on the planning or special operations. Similarly, enemy ci-yptologic 

material captured as a result of special operations by U.sJ,__ __ __. 

forces will be exchanged in the same COMINT channels. 

CONSIDERATIONS GOVERNING NORMAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 

10. In the conduct of normalitactical operations it is recognized that the U.S. Armed Services may, as an incidental by-product of 

such operations, capt"!J.l"e enemy /Cryptologic material. The Director, NSA, 

will issue appropriate guidance to the U.S. Armed Services in the 

recognition, protection_, and proper disposition of captured cryptologic 

material. Such guidance will take into account cooperation withJ 

.__ _________ ___.lcOMINT authorities, as appropriate, and._wi._"_l_l_b_e___, 

in accord with pertinent NATO directives on the processing of captured 

enenzy- documents. The U.S. Armed Services will prepare and issue such 

instructions as may be required. 

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Approved - 26 March 19 54 CIBD #13 

TO:PSECRET 
REF ID:A585.V 

TOPSECRM -

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 

11. It is of the utmost importance that the strictest secrecy be 

maintained regarding all activities pertaining to arry operation to 

capture enetey" ceyptologic material. This concept shall be reflected in 

the guidance issued by the Director, NSA, and further ipdicated in the 

instructions prepared by the U.S. Armed Services. 

12. The Director, NSA, will frQm time to time review pertinent 

regulations promulgated by components or the Department of Defense to 

insure that they are in accord with this directive. 

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Approved - 26 March 1954 CIBD #13 

TOPSEeltEr