GORDON BARTON MCLENDON [REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE ATTACHED WASHINGTON POST ARTICLE OF 22 MARCH 1978, WHICH SUGGESTS THAT SUBJECT HAS PROPOSED A WEEKLY TELEVISION SERIES ON THE CIA].
Originator: CIA
From: GAMBINO, ROBERT W., D/OS/CIA
To: ASST/PAI/DCI/CIA
Document date: 03/27/1978
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

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104-10124-10171]

2023 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

SECRET

2 7 MAR 1978

MEMORANDUM FOR: Assistant for Public Affairs to the

Director of Central Intelligence

FROM:

Robert W. Gambino

Director of Security

SUBJECT:

Gordon Barton McLendon (U)

1.

(UL) Reference is made to the attached Washington

Post article of 22 March

has proposed

a weekly television series ge to then subject

Intelligence Agency.

2.

(AIUO) Office of Security records reflect that

Subject was born

8 June 1921 in Paris, Texas and that he

served in the United States Navy during World War II. He

was graduated from Yale University in 1946, and later attended

Harvard Law School. As of 1952 he was serving as President of

the Liberty Broadcasting Company.

3.

• (S) In early 1952 the Directorate of Operations (OPC)

requested a Covert Security Approval so that his firm might

provide accreditations (in' Japan)to a contract agent.

request was subsequently denied

following a field investiga-

tion which disclosed a question concerning his business

practices.

It was brought to light that the Liberty Broad-

casting Company suspended operations in May 1952 and went into

bankruptcy the following month.

4. (S) In December 1965 the Directorate of Operations

again

requested a Covert Security Approval on Subject in his

position with the McLendon Broadcast System, Dallas, Texas.

A field investigation in January 1966 was basically favorable.

5. (C) His 201 and security files show no evidence of

operational interest after 1966 and inquiries with appropriate

Directorate of Operations components indicate he probably was

never contacted or utilized in any capacity.

Attachment

SECRET

" Robert W. Gambino

E2 INPDET

CL BY 063344

O5 8 0797

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## Page 2

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Distribution:

Orig. & 1 - Addressee

1 - D/Security

1

- OS Registry

- McLendon File

1 - SAG

OS/PSI / LJDunn/ j hm

(22MAR78)

Revised OS/PSI / SAG/DRobinson:mgk

(24MAR78)

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