</s>104-10123-10407 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 ADMINISTRATIVE 1. INTERNAL USE ONLY 1 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 isf forwarded for your information and recommendations concerning any security measures that should be taken in the processing of this award. ELLIN L. BEATTY Executive Secretary/DMAB Attachment Distribution: Orig - Addresses 1 - IMAB Case File

Summary  
This document is a recommendation for an Honor and Merit Award submitted in 1966 for James W. McCord Jr., Alan F. Petit, and William M. May of the Technical Division, Office of Security. The recommendation highlights their development of a fluoroscopic scanning technique to detect clandestine microphones and other technical listening devices. The method involves combining E-ray with fluorescence screens, offering advantages over traditional X-ray film processes. They also created a flexible fluoroscopic cloth and portable equipment (two attache cases) for covert use in offices and residences. The technique was praised by the intelligence community and the Technical Security Countermeasures Committee as a significant advancement in counterintelligence capabilities.  

Key People  
- James W. McCord Jr.  
- Alan F. Petit  
- William M. May  
- Ermal P. Geiss (official making recommendation)  
- Chief, Technical Division (unnamed)  
- Head of Career Service (career service of nominee)  
- Acting Director of Security  

Key Locations  
- Headquarters (location unspecified, marked as <loc_47> and <loc_710>)  
- Springfield, Va. (address associated with McCord)  

Key Events  
- Development of fluoroscopic scanning technique for detecting clandestine microphones (December 1965–May 1966).  
- Creation of fluoroscopic cloth and portable equipment for covert operations.  
- Recognition by the Technical Security Countermeasures Committee and intelligence community.  

Key Organizations  
- Office of Security, Technical Division  
- Intelligence Community  
- Technical Security Countermeasures Committee  
- Honor and Merit Awards Board (Operating official)

JFK Declassified Files

104-10123-10407.pdf

Document Summary

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