</s>104-10117-10312 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD 15 OCT 1968 MEMORDUM FOR the RECORD SUBJECT: HANES, Arthur J. #340826 (o) #67413 (c) 1. On 10 October 1968, Mr. William McGrew, Security Officer, Special Operations Division, advised that Martin Walden, a New York Times reporter, is presently drafting an article concerning the Subject. The thrust of the article discusses the use of Hanes by the Agency in connection with the recruitment of pilots during the Cuban Situation. The Thrust of the former Special Agent of the FBI, was employed by the Hayes Aircraft Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama as a contract administrator from August 1951 to November 1961. He was subsequently elected Mayor of Birmingham and is presently representing the prime suspect in the murder of Martin Luther King - James Earl Ray. 2. From May 1952 1952 through February 1959, Hanes served as a Confidential Correspondent with this Office. He resigned due to the pressure of his employment. 3. The Office of General Counsel received a covert security clearance on 14 August 1961 to utilize the Subject as a member of their Cleared Attorneys Panel. 4. It is believed that Hanes was instrumental in recruiting several Alabama National Guard pilots during The Bay of Pigs incident. Several lost their lives during this period. 5. The above information was furnished by Mr. Thomas McDowell, who has been utilized by both SOD and OGC in matters concerning the Birmingham widows. It Is Mr. McDowell's opinion that the Walden article will undoubtedly be printed. CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM JFK ACI RELEASE IN FULL 1998 11-11-98 Brickley, Jr. 1-1/1-98 RELEASE SCHORET Wapping, Inc.

Summary  
This memorandum dated 15 October 1968 details information about Arthur J. Hanes, including his employment history, role in intelligence operations, and alleged connections to events related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. It notes that Hanes served as a Confidential Correspondent with the Office of Special Operations Division (SOD) from May 1952 to February 1959. He was employed by Hayes Aircraft Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, as a contract administrator from August 1951 to November 1961. Hanes later became mayor of Birmingham and is linked to James Earl Ray, the prime suspect in MLK's assassination. The Office of General Counsel obtained covert security clearance for Hanes on 14 August 1961 to include him in their Cleared Attorneys Panel. The document suggests Hanes may have recruited Alabama National Guard pilots during the Bay of Pigs incident, resulting in casualties. Information about Hanes was provided by Thomas McDowell, who worked with SOD and OGC on matters involving Birmingham widows. The CIA historical review program released the document in 1998.  

Key People  
- Arthur J. Hanes (#340826 (o) #67413 (c))  
- James Earl Ray  
- William McGrew (Security Officer, SOD)  
- Thomas McDowell  
- Martin Luther King Jr.  
- The Office of General Counsel  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama  
- Cuba (Bay of Pigs incident)  

Key Events  
- Hanes' employment with Hayes Aircraft Corporation (1951–1961)  
- Hanes' role as Confidential Correspondent with SOD (1952–1959)  
- Recruitment of National Guard pilots during the Bay of Pigs incident  
- Connection between Hanes and James Earl Ray in MLK's assassination investigation  
- Release of CIA historical document in 1998  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Operations Division (SOD)  
- Office of General Counsel (OGC)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Historical Review Program

MLK Declassified Files

00296220_hanes_arthur_j_104-10117-10312.pdf

Document Summary

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