</s>104-10129-10386 2022 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 1.6 OCT 1963 MEMORANDUM FOR Deputy Director for Support SUBJECT Arthur Jackson Hanes 1. This memorandum is for information only. 1. Arthur Jackson Hane, attorney for James Earl Ray, prince eupect in the murder of Martha Lather King, is the subject of article being written by New York Times times reporter, Martin. of Walden Walden purports to disclose Agency Times reporter, of Hanen. recruitment of pilots during the Cuban situation. 3. Subject to a former FBI Agent (1948-1951) who it has been personally to several members of the Office of Security. When he was considering resignation from the FBI in 1950 because he felt chances to rice were too limited to the Bureau, he submitted his application for employment from the Agency but his be reflected his application to employment in the Agency that he may reflect fidential Correspondent with the Office subject from the Bureau. He co- through February 1999. The termination of the service was as a Co- pressure of his regular employment, At this time he has to employ in the Hayes Aircraft Corporation, Birmingham, Alabama (August in 1961 but he was in 1961). He was elected Mayor of Birmingham, In 1961 but was in 1964). He has been granted a Covert Security Clearance in August 1961 year. He was granted a Covert Counsel on their Cleared Attorneys Panel. 4. Mr. Thomas McCovell who has been utilised by both 5/eclal / Mr.Thomas McCoveall who has ben utilisedby both peratation Division and "GC is in matters concerning the lirntramal widows, unfaltered information that Subject was instrumental in recruiting several Alabama National Guard pilots SECRET Established free adoratior

Summary  
This document is a memorandum dated 1 October 1963, addressed to the Deputy Director for Support, discussing Arthur Jackson Hanes, an attorney representing James Earl Ray in the murder of Martha Lather King. It references a New York Times reporter, Martin Walden, who is writing an article alleging that Hanes recruited pilots during the Cuban situation. The document notes Hanes’ prior employment as a former FBI agent (1948–1951) and his subsequent application to another agency in 1950, which was denied. It details Hanes’ work at Hayes Aircraft Corporation in Birmingham, Alabama, from August 1961, his election as Mayor of Birmingham in 1961 (though he was present in 1964), and his covert security clearance granted in August 1961. The text also mentions Thomas McCovey, who worked with both the Operations Division and GC (likely General Counsel) on matters involving widows. It states that Hanes recruited Alabama National Guard pilots during the Bay of Pigs incident, several of whom died. The memo concludes by noting that Walden’s article will be published.  

Key People  
- Arthur Jackson Hanes: Attorney for James Earl Ray; former FBI agent (1948–1951); mayor of Birmingham, Alabama (1961).  
- Martin Walden: New York Times reporter writing an article about Hanes’ alleged recruitment activities.  
- Thomas McCovey: Individual associated with the Operations Division and GC, involved in matters concerning widows.  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama: Where Hayes Aircraft Corporation is based; location of Hanes’ mayorship.  
- Cuba: Context for the Cuban situation and Bay of Pigs incident referenced in the document.  

Key Events  
- Recruitment of pilots by Hanes during the Cuban situation (likely referring to the Bay of Pigs incident).  
- Hanes’ application to another agency in 1950 and subsequent employment at Hayes Aircraft Corporation.  
- Publication of Martin Walden’s article alleging Hanes’ involvement in recruitment activities.  

Key Organizations  
- FBI: Former employer of Arthur Jackson Hanes.  
- Hayes Aircraft Corporation: Company where Hanes worked in Birmingham, Alabama.  
- Office of Security: Mentioned as an entity with which Hanes interacted.  
- General Counsel (GC): Organization associated with Thomas McCovey’s work.

MLK Declassified Files

00553819_memorandum_arthur_jackson_104-10129-10386.pdf

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