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Pseudonym: Aycall, James

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Definition:
Unknown identity. James O. Aycall worked on the LIMITED and LIFEAT projects in Mexico City during the latter half of the 1950's.
Category:
pseudonym
Status:
Unknown
Discussion:
A dispatch in December of 1955 stated that Pollicove (possibly Charles Anderson) picked up the films from LIPSTICK-14 and gave them to James O. Aycall who processed them and returned them to Pollicove for transmittal to the office for identification, indexing and filling by Moschiano (probably Philip C. Roettinger).

A dispatch on February 20, 1956, mentioned that Aycall did the the processing for LIMITED (one of three photo surveillance sites under the LIEMPTY umbrella project. LIMITED was a fixed site right across the street from the front gate of the Soviet Embassy). Moreover, a cable on March 12, 1956, stated that "Aycall's illness creating large backlog LIP/LIMITED pictures."

A dispatch on June 5, 1957, mentioned that while the performance of LIFEAT (CIA telephone tapping program on a number of phone lines in Mexico City, aimed primarily at the home phone lines of Soviet and Cuban personnel) agents had been good in the past year, "some of those connected with the group based on the family of former head agent James O. Aycall have not been acting in a satisfactory manner. These are gradually being weeded out and new, more effective and fully compartmentalized base operators are being substituted for them."

A dispatch on May 22, 1959, added that the personnel from the Aycall group had been terminated.
Sources:

104-10187-10002: CIA FILE ON LIEMPTY/LIMITED BASE HOUSE.

12/08/55: Dispatch from COS, Mexico to Chief, WHD: Subject: Operational LIPSTICK/LIMITED: ..."2. Initially all files were processed in the Station so that Moschiano could process them to the fullest advantage and then critique them with LIPSTICK-14. Now the procedure employed is to have Pollicove pick up the films from LIPSTICK-14 and given them to James O. Aycall who processes them and returns them to Pollicove for transmittal to the office for identification, indexing and filling by Moschiano. This procedure was adopted because Aycall was aware of the existence of this operation and know LIPSTICK-14 was employed by this Station, but LIPSTICK-14 does not know that Aycall is employed by this Station..."

104-10187-10001: CIA FILE NONRELATED, (ASSET)/(ASSET) (LIEMPTY/LILYRIC.

02/20/56: Dispatch from COS, Mexico City to Chief, WHD: Subject: Operational LIPSTICK/LILYRIC: Page 2: ..."5. The LILYRIC base will be principally used for photographic surveillance of the LIMERICK target, working alternately but without any pattern, with the LIMITED base. This working schedule will be worked out by the Case Officer in advance and given to both bases. Since complete compartmentation is desired, the films will be processed in the Station instead of being sent to James O. Aycall who does the processing for LIMITED..."

104-10219-10004: [RESTRICTED]

03/12/56: Cable from Mexico City to Director: "1. Aycall's illness creating large backlog LIP/LIMITED pictures. Raymond H. Gerende (Ramon Joseph Alvarez Durant) now equipped process LIP/LILYRIC pictures and could also process LIMITED." 2. Gerende unaware existence LIMITED. Request permission have him process LIMITED."

104-10188-10000: LONG-STANDING OPERATION.

06/05/57: Dispatch from COS, Mexico to Chief, WHD: Subject: Project Plan - LIFEAT: Page 10: ..."c. Performance of Agents: While in general the performance of the LIFEAT agents has been good in the past year, some of those connected with the group based on the family of former head agent James O. Aycall have not been acting in a satisfactory manner. These are gradually being weeded out and new, more effective and fully compartmentalized base operators are being substituted for them..."

104-10188-10000: LONG-STANDING OPERATION.

05/22/59: Dispatch from COS, Mexico to Chief, WHD: Subject: LIFEAT Project Renewal Request: PROJECT RENEWAL - LIFEAT: Page 6: ..."4. Performance of Agent: In general the performance of the LIFEAT agents has been good and secure during the past year. The personnel from the AYCALL group were terminated during this period and compartmentation has been employed in the re-assignment of tasks among LIFEAT chain. In view of the high degree of security necessary for the personnel involved in this operation, it is planned to screen very carefully any possible candidates before they are approached for use in this operation after prior approval has been procured from Headquarters for an approach..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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