SECRET (When Filled In) SECTION D NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION 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 croft, crew position of individual, and all unusual circumstances. Indicate results of the act. Enclose unclassified citation. Award for Achievement, Service, or Performance: State character of service during period for which recommended. (Give complete description of odmin- istrative, technical, or professional duties and responsibilities if not covered in Section C; include dates of assignment and relief.) What did the individual do thet 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 re- sults of achievement, service, or performance. Include reference to Fitness Reports, letters of Commendation, or other documentation already on file which supports this recommendation. Enclose unclassified citation. : Whea he retires 31 August 1670, Myr. Jamea W. MeCord, Jr., will have completed 25 years cf Governnient eervice, 19 years of which were with the CIA ina variety of assignments covering the investigative, counter-intelli- gence, cverseas security suppert, audio ccuntermessures and phyeical security fields within the Security Career Service, During his early yeara of ex:ployment when aegigned te the San Francisco Field Office, Office of Security, August 1951 to May 1953, Mr. McCcrd assisted in the covert cotry and processing through custorn.s of operaticnal personnel _ érom the Far Esst areae and performed sefehouse duties and releted taeka designed to ensure the protection and cover of such personnel. When serving with the Security Research Staff, 1955 to 1962, Mr. McCord worked in direct support of Agency activities abroad of a specialized nature exe ploiting highly sensitive ictelligence eource material resulting in the reconstruction of ovis @ networks and resciving operational and security leads affecting both the od United States Governments. The identities, composition and operations of Soviet intelligence services in Eurspe prior to 1955 and dating back into the 1930's, were reconstructed. Between 1955 end 1565, Mr, hicCord was invelved in cantscting, developing and debriefing these identified and available [83 continuen ON ATTACHED SHEET - ENCLOSURES (List individually) Ff ORIGINATOR 1S NOT AN EYEWITNESS OR DOES NOT HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACT OR PERFORMANCE, ATTACH AFFIDAVITS OF EYEWITNESS OR INDIVIOUALS HAVING PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE FACTS. ee, on 1. PROPOSED CITATION 2. 3. - RECOMMENDATION INITIATED BY 46. TITLE AND SIGN URE OF EMPLOYEE MAKING RECOM- / dirces PL O'Cannell SECTION E HEAD ofS. CAREER SERVICE (Career service of nominee) SECRET
14-00000 Section D Continued - James. Walter. McCord,. Jr. former Soviet intelligence’ personalities. This activity led to close liaison with intelligence representatives _ established a direct channel . of communications resulting In a continuoue exchenge of leads and._ a flow of operational date over the years of benefit to the Agency... a” ' During the period of his work with the Security Research Staff, in which he served as Deputy Chief from May 1957, Mr... Boe McCord was the Agency's case officer in a number of double agent © cases involving Agency staff employees who had been contacted and were being developed for recruitment by the Soviet intelligence | , service, . Le oe Oe From 1962 to 1964, Mr. McCord served. overseas. As , Chief. 1520 , of the Regional Security Support Staff located a with responsibility for the overall personnel an ysical secur yes and audio countermeasures programs applicable to the Stations and | Bases of the European area. This assignment was followed by attendance at the Air War College, August 1964 to June 1968. For the past five years, Mr. McCord has held two vital Ine” sar positions with world-wide responsibilities involving the Agency" 8 audio countermeasures and physical security programs. Se ve As Chief of the Technical Division from 23 July 1965 to 10 October 1968, Mr. McCord supervised a technical operation with considerable skill. Although not an engineer by training, be ~~ spanned e difficult gap between the administrative and technical , demands of his responeibilities, guiding the development of useful and esoteric equipment in the counter-audio field to a point where the Agency became the recognized leader among Government depart- ments in this area of activity. This leadership is evidenced by the
14-00000 Physical Security Division, = pe | Mr. McCord demonstrated his ability to quickly agsimilate the age TaN RS, Section D Continued - James Walter McCord, Je. establishment of an Inter-Agency Technical Training Center under the Executive Agency of the Technical Division for the Technical Surveillance Countermeasures Committee of the United States Intelligence Board. Much of Mr. NcCord's ideas, talents, and imagination went into the creation of this training activity which commenced operations about the time of his reassignment to the - “"-- Mr. McCord participated with two subordinate employees in the development of X-ray equipment for use by the Technical Division in detecting and locating hostile audio devices implanted in office appurtenances and walle of Agency occupied facilities. The responsibility for ensuring that appropriate protective methods © for the safe use of this equipment was also associated with this © development. The significance of this achievement was recognized by the Agency when Mr. McCord and hig participating colleagues were awarded Certificates of Merit —  .. .,. in October 1966, “In his current position as Chief, Physical Security Division, necessary details of a field in which he had relatively little ex- perience. He showed initiative tn seeking out new ways and means to harden the security of the Agency's domestic and overseas facilities by tapping all possible technological resources, both in» -_ and out of Government, to produce for the Agency a posture inthe _ physical security field which is the equal of, if not superior to, those of other elements of the United States Government. Illustrative of this effort is the expansion and improvement of the Agency's Security Command Center relating to the protection of Agency assets in time of demonstrations, riots and civil disturbances. Throughout his Agency career, Mr. McCord has engaged his curious and iaventive mind to search out even better waysto solve problems within his area of responsibllity.. As a result, his .
Section BD Continued - James Walter MeCord, Jr. Agency career is a record of sustained superior performance of duty of high value. The value of his exemplary performance over the years has often been recognized and commended by senior yj officials of the Agency. It is on this basis that Mr. McCord is ee nominated for the Certificate of Distinction upon the occasion of oe his retirernent, , Sinead wee