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Pseudonym: Ossenbrink, John

Definition:
John T. Ossenbrink was a pseudonym for George U. Finney.
Category:
pseudonym
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
Ossenbrink put his name to a dispatch in October of 1960 from Chief of Station (COS), Germany. George U. Finney was handwritten in just below and pointing to Ossenbrink's name. The dispatch stated that the defector (Vladimir) "Sloboda knew...Ossenbrink by true name as early as March 1960, at which time Ossenbrink dealt with Sloboda officially in the procuring of East German city plans and other materials for CATHINK. Since occupying the CATHINK offices in late May of 1960, Ossenbrink saw Sloboda about three times in the latter's office, each of which visits concerned the acquisition of basic intelligence materials...Ossenbrink did not indicate to Sloboda the reason for Ossenbrink's request for these materials, but Sloboda did know Ossenbrink's phone extension at Camp King, since Ossenbrink occasionally left word with Sloboda for Sloboda's superior...Len Maller, Chief of Publications Procurement Section, to phone Ossenbrink for official purposes."

CATHINK was the cryptonym for the Collection Division, Collection and Dissemination Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Group.

George Finney, as SAS/CI, was the originator of a cable on November 29, 1963. Furthermore, John T. Ossenbrink also put his name to a dispatch in July, 1965, from Chief, Soviet Russia (SR). George Finney was the Originating Officer for this dispatch.

A memo in September of 1965 stated that Finney was assigned to the German Station from 1956 to 1962.
Sources:

104-10129-10138: POSSIBLE KNOWLEDGE OF VLADIMIR SLOBODA

10/10/60: Dispatch from COS, Germany to Chief, EE (Info: Chief, KUSODA): Subject: Operational/CART/CATHINK Possible Knowledge of Vladimir Sloboda of CATHINK: "1. Paragraph one of reference C should be modified to show that Sloboda knew John T. Ossenbrink by true name as early as March 1960, at which time Ossenbrink dealt with Sloboda officially in the procuring of East German city plans and other materials for CATHINK. Since occupying the CATHINK offices in late May of 1960, Ossenbrink saw Sloboda about three times in the latter's office, each of which visits concerned the acquisition of basic intelligence materials (e.g. East German telephone books, city plans, etc). Ossenbrink did not indicate to Sloboda the reason for Ossenbrink's request for these materials, but Sloboda did know Ossenbrink's phone extension at Camp King, since Ossenbrink occasionally left word with Sloboda for Sloboda's superior, Mr. Len Maller, Chief of Publications Procurement Section, to phone Ossenbrink for official purposes. 2. Ossenbrink has questioned all KUBARK (CIA) CATHINK staff members on their knowledge of Sloboda, making use of a photograph of Sloboda for this purpose. None had any personal contact with him; however, all felt that they had seen him at the Camp King coffee bar. It should be noted that many US Army military personnel at Camp King have official knowledge of the official and unofficial name of CATHINK (see attachment under separate cover), and that the KUBARK CATHINK staff members are employees of DAD/Germany assigned to Camp King for work in CATHINK. The name and mission of CATHINK is classified presently CONFIDENTIAL - NOFORN, which means that the official name and mission of CATHINK is widely known among other US Army officers at Camp King, which also had frequent occasion to deal with Sloboda's former office." (CONTINUED BELOW).

104-10129-10138: POSSIBLE KNOWLEDGE OF VLADIMIR SLOBODA.

"Moreover, in conversing with US Army personnel at the Camp King coffee bar, it is conceivable that Sloboda learned the true names of all KUBARK CATHINK personnel without their knowledge. 3. In summary, it appears that Sloboda could have learned the following about CATHINK during the period March-August 1960 - a. Official and unofficial name and mission of CATHINK. (Official and unofficial name of CATHINK forwarded as Identities A and B respectively under separate cover attachment). 4. The delay in reporting this matter was due to the fact that Ossenbrink was on home leave when the Sloboda defection took place. John T. Ossenbrink. Handwritten: George U. Finney. Approved: Lester S. Redmlies." - - - Page 6: "Identity A. Collection Division, Collection and Dissemination Battalion, 513th Military Intelligence Group. Identity B: 'EGIS Center.'"

104-10129-10143: CABLE RE SLOBODA.

10/10/60: Cable from Frankfurt to Director: CART CATHINK SECUR: REF FRAN 5531 (IN 47361): "1. Re para one ref. Ossenbrink had official contact with Sloboda three occasions re procurement basic intell material for CATHINK use. Sloboda knew Ossenbrink true name and telephone ext at Camp King. Also possible Sloboda leanred mission and name CATHINK since this known several army officers Camp King which had frequent contact Sloboda's former office. 2. Above info delayed due Ossenbrink home leave. Pouch follows. C/S Comment: FRAN had no evidence to indicate that Sloboda had any contact with KUBARKers (CIA)." Handwritten note: "Jack Lester EE/G/OPS 3304 advised no OS action at this time. He said that (unintelligible) the pouch (unintelligible) he will call you (unintelligible)."

104-10077-10180: DIRECTOR CABLE REQUESTING FIELD TRACES.

11/29/63: Cable from Director to JMWAVE (Orig: George Finney, SAS/CI): Releasing Officer: Desmond FitzGerald, C/SAS. Coordinating Officers: SAS/MOB (in draft Art Maloney). SAS/IOS (in draft Wendell Ullery). Authenticating Officer: W. Kerbe for Harold F. Swenson, C/SAS/CI.

104-10218-10021: DOCUMENT TRANSFER AND CROSS REFERENCE ON LEONOV, NIKOLAY SERGEYEVICH.

09/21/64: CIA document: Analyst was Geo. Finney

104-10218-10032: KOSTIKOV, VALERIY VLADIMIROVICH, 201-305052

07/09/65: Dispatch from Chief, SR via Chief, WH to COS, Mexico City: Subject: REDWOOD SPR ON Valeriy Vladimirovich Kostikov (201-305052): "Subject SPR typed in final form is forwarded herewith. John T. Ossenbrink." Originating Officer: SR/O/WH: George Finney. Coordinating Officers: C/SR/O/WH: Kendal Y. Ryan (?). C/WH/1: (Initials). Releasing Officer: C/WH: Kaufman.

104-10129-10126: SLOBODA, VLADIMIR.

09/30/65: Memo from J. F. Meredith to Chief/FIOB: Page 3: "SLOBODA's KNOWLEDGE OF CIA PERSONNEL: 8. George W. Finney, #87796, CIA staff employee assigned to the German Station from 1956 to 1962, stated in October 1960 that as early as March 1960 Sloboda knew him by his true name. Finney saw Sloboda about three times in the latter's office concerning the acquisition of basic intelligence materials such as East German telephone books, city plans, etc. Finney questioned other CIA employees concerning their knowledge of Sloboda. None had any personal contact with him but all felt that they had seen him at the Camp King coffee bar. Finney thought it conceivable that Sloboda could have learned the true names of CIA employees at Camp King..."

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Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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