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Title: Barron Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1927-1996
Collection number: 98020
Creator:
Barron, John, 1930-
Collection Size:
2 manuscript boxes
(0.8 linear feet)
Repository:
Hoover Institution Archives
Stanford, California 94305-6010
Abstract: Correspondence, reports, notes, speeches and writings, and photographs, relating to
Morris Childs, Federal Bureau of Investigation informant within the Communist Party of
the United States; Federal Bureau of Investigation surveillance of the Communist Party;
and the relationship between the Communist Party of the United States and the Soviet
communist party and government. Includes some papers of Morris Childs. Used as research
material for the book by John Barron,
Operation Solo: The FBI's Man in the Kremlin
(Washington, D.C., 1996).
Language:
English.
Collection open for research.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Archives.
[Identification of item], John Barron Papers, [Box no.], Hoover Institution Archives.
Also available on microfilm (2 reels).
For related materials, see also the Morris Childs collection.
Communism--United States
Communist Party of the United States of America
Internal security--United States
Kommunisticheskaia partiia Sovetskogo Soiuza
United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation
Communism
United States--Politics and government
Soviet Union
Russia (Federation)
Childs, Morris, 1902-1991
The documents of this collection were selected by JOHN BARRON (b. 1930), American
journalist and author, to be used as research material for his book
Operation
SOLO: The FBI Man in the Kremlin
(Washington, D.C.: Regnery Pub., 1996). The book
describes an operation (later called SOLO) conducted by the FBI in 1954-1982. The main
character in the operation was Morris Childs (1902-1991), a prominent member of the
Communist Party USA (CPUSA), who enjoyed absolute trust of communist leaders both in the
United States and the Soviet Union.
Morris Childs, along with his brother Jack Childs and wife Eva Childs, made fifty-seven
trips (called by the FBI "missions") to the Soviet Union and other countries of the
socialist camp. Morris Childs often accompanied Gus Hall, General Secretary of the CPUSA;
sometimes he traveled alone or with his wife. Morris had conferences with party leaders
in the countries he visited and was shown confidential and secret documents.
Within Operation SOLO the FBI supported a clandestine communication system designed and
built by the Soviet KGB (Committee for State Security). Through this system the FBI
regularly received messages from the Kremlin and, in the name of Jack or Morris, sent
back information the United States wanted the Soviets to get. The FBI also handled
millions of dollars smuggled from the Soviet Union to New York, either by Jack or Morris
or by KGB agents, for the CPUSA.
The collection is divided into four series. Of most interest is the SUBJECT FILE series,
which reflects the activities of Gus Hall, General Secretary of the CPUSA, and gives an
insight into Operation SOLO and how it was handled by the KGB. It also includes
descriptions of communication devices, decoding tables, pictures of KGB agents in
New-York, etc. The WRITINGS and CORRESPONDENCE series document John Barron's work on the
book.