STCIRCUS Archive of Tibetan Resistance, 1958-2011

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Summary

Creators:
Walker, Bruce, 1932-
Abstract:
Writings, instructional and propaganda material, printed matter, photographs, video tapes, and memorabilia, relating to Central Intelligence Agency programs to train Tibetan guerrillas.
Extent:
8 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize folders, 1 digital print, digital media, memorabilia (3.6 Linear Feet)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], STCIRCUS Archive of Tibetan Resistance, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection documents Bruce Walker's role in STCIRCUS, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) project to give support to the Tibetan resistance by training Tibetan guerrillas, providing arms to the Chushi Gangdruk fighters, and using radio teams to communicate information to the CIA. Bruce Walker's initial assignment for the project was to transfer Tibetans to Camp Hale, Colorado, for training in "high-speed radio operations, clandestine communications, small arms, map reading, tradecraft," and other skills, including parachuting (curriculum vitae, box 1, folder 1). In 1962, Walker became part of the training staff at Camp Hale.

The arrangement of the STCIRCUS file is based on the order of materials found in a partial inventory of the collection created by Bruce Walker, although the arrangement does not exactly match this list. The file includes photographs at Camp Hale and of Chushi Gangdruk fighters, clippings, a report by Sam Curry, and propaganda booklets. Detailed descriptions of materials in the collection can be found in Walker's inventory (box 1, folder 2).

Items not listed in Walker's inventory of September 2005 can be found in the Incremental material. Several folders include detailed container lists. The Oversize material contains cloth flags with the logo of the Chushi Gangdruk and the painting "The Secret PLA Pouch Heads for CIA's K Building, West Tibet" by Keith Woodcock. The listed biography is for Bruce Walker.

Biographical / historical:
Date Event
1932 August 29
Born, Bronxville, New York
1953
Second lieutenant, United States Marines
Graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, with a major in economics and minor in Spanish
1954-1955
Stationed in Korea with the First Marine Air Wing. Promoted to first lieutenant
1955
Honorably discharged at Treasure Island
1956-1973
Case officer, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
1957-1959
Assigned to U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil, Ecuador
1960
Enrolled in Tibetan studies courses at the University of Washington, Seattle
Transferred to Near East Division and started work on STCIRCUS
1962
Private audience with the Dalai Lama
Student, Namgyal Institute of Tibetology in Gangtok, Sikkim, India
1962-1964
Trained Tibetans at Camp Hale, Colorado, as part of STCIRCUS project
1965-1966
Worked at Tibetan project desk, where one of his duties was to oversee the Cornell University program for Tibetans under the STCIRCUS project
1966
Assigned to U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, using State Department cover, as the replacement STCIRCUS representative at the Joint Operations Center
1968
Six month leave of absence from CIA
1969
Transferred to Hong Kong desk in China Operations
1971
Assigned to U.S. Consulate-General in Hong Kong as a case officer under State Department cover
1973
Married Mary Frances Doyle
Resigned from CIA
1974
Moved to San Francisco
1974-1988
Worked in several business development departments of Bechtel Corporation
1980-1988
Member, Board of Directors, Merola Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera
1985
Established a Merola scholarship endowment fund
1994
Became a volunteer at the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum
2004
Elected president of the board of the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum
Acquisition information:
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library Archives in 2006.
Processing information:

Title of collection changed from Bruce Walker papers to STCIRCUS Archive of Tibetan Resistance in 2022 at the request of the donor.

Physical location:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Box 5, silver knife, and art rack items may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.

Terms of access:

For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], STCIRCUS Archive of Tibetan Resistance, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.

Location of this collection:
Hoover Institution Library & Archives, Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003, US
Contact:
(650) 723-3563
hooverarchives@stanford.edu
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