LETTER: PURSUANT TO MY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION I AM FORWARDING MY 300-PAGE MANUSCRIPT ON "COMMUNISM-THE 20TH CENTURY RED PLAGUE"
Agency: CIA
Originator: CIA
From: PUBLICATIONS REVIEW BOARD, CIA
To: HERMAN O. BLY. FT MYERS, FL
Document date: 05/15/1997
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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MORI#S

566700

423386

JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

Date:

04/05/00

Page:

1

Released under the John

F.

Kennedy

Assassinat ion

Records

COllection act of 1992

144

2107 Notel.

65212107200 66-14-2859

Case# : N

AGENCY : CIA

RECORD NUMBER : 104-10331-10258

RECORD SERIES : JFK CIA MISC EXTERNAL

AGENCY FILE NUMBER : PROJEILES-CORRESPONDANCE

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR :

PRIVATE

FROM

: HERMAN O: BLY. FT MYERS, FL

TO : PUBLICATIONS REVIEW BOARD, CIA

TITLE

: LETTER: PURSUANT TO MY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION I AM

FORWARDING MY 300-PAGE MANUSCRIPT ON "COMMUNISM- THE

20TH CENTURY RED PLAGUE"

DATE:

05/15/97

• PAGES

8

SUBJECTS : BLY, HERMAN O

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : UNCLASSIFIED

RESTRICTIONS : 1A, 1B

CURRENT STATUS : RELEASED WITH DELETTONS Denied in full - DIF

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

02/10/00

OPENING CRITERIA :

COMMENTS : JFK-M-16: F10 2000.02.10.10:11:27:607044:

Kristi A. Kenniston

Office: CIO/GL

maurit

03/19/03 10:10 AM

To: Mary V. Amoia-Y-@DC

cc: Lisa V. Studtmann@DA. Richard J.Puhl@D, D. Elizabeth Cross@DA

Allison K. Fong@DA

Subject: Bly Manuscript in JFK Collection - ATTORNEY CLIENT PRIVILEGEL

INFORMATION/ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT

You asked me to review an excerpt of a manuscript titled Communism: The 20th Century Red Plague, by

Herman O. Bly labelled as copyrighted, and determine whether it should be released to NARA for

inclusion in the collection of administrative files relating to JFK. These "administrative" files include

documents such as this one, which might be considered substantive JFK records, discovered after the

bulk of the JFK collection was constructed. After further discussion, I found that the document is atready

in NARA's custody but not yet accessible to the public; the issue is whether to pull it out of the collection,

authorize NARA to release it in full, or redact it in some fashion. Although CIO/Legal's preference is to

take it out of the collection, we understand the political difficulties in doing so (specifically an anticipated

strong objection from NARA) and consequently endorse redacting the document, as well as the attached

cover letter and statement of background information, in fuli for as long as allowable under the JFK Act.

The draft was sent to the Agency in 1997; along with a statement of background information, with a cover

letter requesting review by the CIA Publications Review Board (PR8). None of these documents should

have been considered relevant to the JFK Act. The cover letter and statement of background information

contain no information about JFK whatsoever. The draft itself, white it does include a small amount of

information on JFK, is not a Govemment record and is consequently not responsive to the Act.

Manuscripts submitted for review to the PRB and housed in its files, such as the draft at issue here.

contain only non-official views, and are not used to further Government business. The information in this

manuscript is only the personal view of an ex-employee in his non-official capacity. The copyright label is

a further indication that this was at no time meant to be considered a Government record, but the personal

record of an author.

Nonetheless, because the documents have been released to NARA already, the best solution is to

withhold them for as long as NARA will allow us to do so. Because the records will have been

accessioned to NARA by the time they will be released, NARA is the proper agency to address whether

the information is actually copyrighted, and how that impacts release to the public.

Please let me know if my factual understanding is incorrect, or if you have any questions.

[R]

ITEM IS RESTRICTED

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derman O. Bly

5515 Shallsy Circle

Fort ellyers, Florila 33919

?I MAY 97

14:

day 15, 1997

Cantral Intelliaince Agency

Publications Gerlew Paar

art:

69:1 1OC3IP 3!11.

Nashin-ton. o...

20505

Dear Dr. Hedley:

pirouent to ay tolerane conversation rith Mary lou tirinas

of your staff,

I an forwardit herewith

My 300

page tariscript

"Comaton - tia ?9t4 Century Be Plezuel for inur revler sar adorate?.

as a suecial Agent a te EBI from 1940 10 1963

and an a potlor itaff Officer at CIl from 1963 to 1959.

his manuscript tells the story of Marxist-ienirist Con-

minish and the

"cold war"

1n an unusual manter iver before told 1^

U7=

sertour volume. It is laudatory of the overations of the agencles

of the Intellizane. Community.

You nay be emperle!ly Interested in the quest newspayer

article I wrote for the Fort Myers eir Fress on June 3, 1979 en-

titled "Danage to ü.S. Intelligence Agencies Erdangers Nationa?

Security" valon aupears on pages

287-291 In the appendix of the manü-

script.

Ihis article won the prestiglous George lashington jonor

Medal

in the 1979 national awards program of the Freedous Foundatiun

at Velley Force, Pa.

The manuscript ras been revlewed by the dai nick raised

only two Ilnor source questions regarding two Soviet Intelligence

natters which are currently in the process of being resolvad.

nest ons

I hove to find a vro-intellizence sublisher who illl recog-

nize Its value and promote the book

so 1t will reach a large serent

of the American neonle.

The Intelligence Community has been maligned

hy the communications media for nore

than 50 years. It is time to

try to set more balanced reporting.

I await your reply with appreciation for your

tire and

consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Herman 0 Bie

Hernan O. Bly

Tel.

(341) 481-8774

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BACKGZOJND OF HERMAN O. BLY

Mr. Bly was born In Virginia 1n 1913: educated in the

nublic schools at Winchester, Va, and has a Juris Doctor degree

fIon George Washington University.

He was admitted to the District

of Columbia Bar in 1939, and the Virrinia Bar In 1946. He has

been

edmitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and was

a member of the Federa! Bar Association until his retirement.

MI. Bly's knowledge of communism began in 1940 when he

became a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigatior (FBI).

Durira his 23 years in the FSI most of his serrice was directly in-

volved in the investigations of the subversive elements within the

United States. From 1943-1945 he was one of the key Special Agents

In the New York Office of the FBI Involved in, the protection of the

atomic bomb secrets fror enemy agents prior to the first

successful

test in confurction with the Manhattan Engineer Project.

In 1946, Mr. Bly was assigned to the FBI Headquarters In

Hashineton. D.C. where he headed various key units within the Do-

nestic Intelligence Division Involved In the investigation of com-

munist and other subversize organizations. During his 17 years of

asslenment at the FBI Headquarters he lectured regularly at the

FBI Academy to Inservice Class Agents and to new Agents on rubjects

connected with communist actirity. Mr. Bly also served as a guest

lecturer on

l a number of occasions at the Naval Intelligence School

at the Pentagon and at the Strategic Intelligence School in Washing-

ton. D.G.

In 1963. MI. Bly retired from the fBI and shortly there-

after accepted a request to join the Central Intellizence Azency

Feadouarters in Me Lean. Virginia, where he was assigned for five

jeers as a Senior Staff Officer in the International comnui.lst areas

of oneration.

There are few nen who have the academic background on in-

ternational communisu and who also have had the practical experience

galned fron working directly in the Investigative and counter-litel.

ligence fields of operations.

Following his retirement from Government Service, MI. Ely

has been a guest lecturer before more than 40 civic. Rotary and Lions

Clubs, Lodge, Fraternity and Church organizations.

Fro= January 1985 to November 1986, MI. Bly wrote 54

articles for the "Ler Constitutior" a weekly conservative newspaper

published in Fort Myers, Fla. The circulation reached as high as

45.000 coples.

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In June 1986, MI. Bly gave a serles of 3 weekly broadcasts

over Bsdib Station :S0B in Fort Myers, Fla. on various phases of

International conmunist activities.

Durine his retirement reers, Mr. Bly has won four national

awards from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. In 1976.

he was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal for his speech

"Comnunism vs. Christlanity in a Turbulent World". In 1977 he was

awarded the Valley Forge Honor Certificate for his follow-up speech

"Comnunist vA. Religion". In 1979, he was warried the George wash-

1ngton Eonor Medal for his guest editorial "Damage to U.S. Intel-

ligence Agencies Endangers National Security" khich appeared in the

June 3. 1979 Issue of the Fort Myers News-Press. In 1985. Mr. Bly

won the Valley Forge Honor Certificate for his pamphlet "America

at the Crossroads" containing the first 20 articles ir irote for

the "Lee Constitution", Neekly newspayer In Southwest Florida. These

four awards are considered to be an outstanding achievement for

dedication directed toward bringing about a better understanding of

the "American way of Life".

Mr. Pli publish, a commentary in the Auril-May-June 1$88

issue of (SMI) Sound

"oney Investor, a rationide nagazine published

In Cocoa, Florida.

This commentary disclosed the various disastrous

foreign dolley decisions which helved to elevate a relatively unde-

veloved country in the 1930's (the Soviet Union) Into the must dar-

gerous enemy our country and the Free World had ever faced.

Mr. Bly's commentary "Is the Soviet Threat for Real?" was

published in the October-November 1988 issue of "The Sound Money

Investor" magazine now being published Ir. Winter Park. Florida.

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THE

COMMUNISH

20th CENTURY RED PLAGUE

BY

HERMAN O. BLY

Special Agent of the FBI

& COPYRIGHT

Herman Bly

B

5315 Shalley Cir.

Fort Myera FL 33919

• NE

53216

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EPILOGUE

This book would not be complete without further commentary on

my activities in combatting Marxist-Leninist communism after

'my

retirement irom government service.

• During my 23 years of service in the FBI. I received 17 letters of

commendation and one meritorious award. My retirement party was

heid at 5 P.M. on August i2, 1963, in the large room in the

Department of Justice Building, where the eight Nazi saboteurs were

tried. Director j. Edgar Hoover attended. I do not recall that Director

Hoover had ever attended a retirement party lor any empioyee less

than an Assistant Director. So I felt honored that he had attended. A

total oì 132 FBI employees attended and signed my retirement book. 1

was presented with a matched set oi Wiison K-28 goii clubs. The

following Saturday morning I was iortunate enough to use these new

ciubs and shot a par 72 round oi golf at the Country Club of Fairtax.

where i had been a member since 1956.

In September 1963. I received a telephone call from the Central

Intelligence Agency (CLA) suggesting that I drop by the CLA

Headquarters and meet with Dr. Lothar Metzie. This I did. He

offered me a position as Senior Start Officer in his unit called

Communist international Group (CiG) under a rive year contract. My

pre-employment security investigation was satistactory and 1 began

work in December 1963. Ds. Metzle occasionally jokingly referred to

me as "Mir. CP.USA." I enjoyed my five vears of service at CiA very

much and when it came time for a renewal of my contract in

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December 1968, the Johnson Administration was having considerable

trouble with its Balance of Payments. Agencies were facing cutbacks

and several hundred CLA employees were walking the halls at CLA

Headquarters trying to find a spot to work after coming from abroad.

Contracts were not being renewed and it was with regret that I left the

CLA

My service in CIA was varied. In the Spring of 1965, I was sent to

Mexico City: my assignment to review all the files on Soviet personnel

in Mexico, which were located at the U.S. Embassy: I spent 30 days

determining from the known activities of each person as to what extent

he may have been engaged in espionage activities. From the

information gathered, it was possible to determine more than 50

percent were engaged in varying degrees of espionage activity. When

I returned to CIA Headquarters in McLean, Virginia, I prepared an 85

page monograph that was used as a training manual for CIA agents

assigned to Latin American countries in contact with Soviet

activities.

During the course of my review of the files on Soviet personnel. I

ran across the following information that related to Lee Harvey

Oswald and the November 1963 assassination of President John F.

Kennedy First I was somewhat startled to learn that when Oswald

was arrested in Dallas in November 1963, he was asked if he wanted

an attorney. Oswald reportedly replied, "Yes, I want attorney Abt." It

turns out that Abt was the New York City attorney for the Soviet

Purchasing Commission and the Soviet Embassy, Colonel

Rudolf Abel, a suspected key Soviet KGB agent was arrested in New

York City on June 21, 1957. At the time of Abel's arrest, much

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?.?.

espionage evidence was located in his room at the Hotel Latham.

When he was arrested he also reportedly indicated he wanted attorney

Abt. Colonel Abel was convicted of espionage and served his prison

sentence until 1962, when he was exchanged for U-2 pilot Francis

Gary Powers after long negotiations by attorney James: Donovan.

When Oswald visited the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City in 1963.

the man he went to see was the Soviet official in charge of issuing

visas. This seemed quite reaschable as the excuse by Ogwald for

visiting the Embassy was to obtain a visa to visit Cuba. The irerly of

this situation is that the Soviet official in charge of issuing visas was

also the KGB Soviet espigpnage agent reportedly connected with EGB

Department 13 activities, which included assassinations.

The third thing that intrigued me about the Oswald case was the

fact that this young former U.S. Marine was able to bring his Russian

wife home from the Soviet Union when colonels and other American

businessmen were unable to bring their Russian wives home from the

Soviet Union. Why was Oswald allowed this special treatment?

The above information worried me and and when I got back to CLA

Headquarters, I prepared a memo for the CLA official who had been in

liaison with the Warren Commission. The "1970 Information Please

Almanac" states that on September 37, 1964, the President's

commission on the assassination of President Kennedy issued its

report (Warren Report) which concludes that Lee Harvy Oswald acted

alone in the assassination of President Kennedy. I believe the heads of

the FBI, CLA and President Johnson in the White House wanted the

Oswald case brought to a conclusion as fast as possible as they did not

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want another crisis with the soviet Union so soon after the 1963

Cuban missile crisis.

After leaving government service in December 1968, I did not lose

my fervor in the fight against atheistic Marxist-Leninist communism.

I kept on speaking out against this menace. The following is a list of

lectures which I gave on various aspects of the communist threat:

September 9, 1968 - lecture at a meeting of the Arlington, *

Virginia Lions Club at the Washington Golf & Country

Club.

January 12. 1971 - lecture before the Rotary Clubor McLean:

Virginia.

November 7, 14. 21, 28, 1971 - a series of four lectures at the

Cherrydale United Methodist Church, Arlington, Virginia.

January 30, 1973 - lecture at a meeting of the Bethesda,

Chevy Chase Rotary Club at the Kenwood Country Club

in Bethesda, Maryland.

April 26, 1974- lecture before the Methodist Men's Group of

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Ft. Myers,

Florida.

March 26, 1975 - lecture at a meeting of the Forever Young

Group of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church,

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