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Cryptonym: FJHOPEFUL

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Definition:
FJHOPEFUL was Fort Clayton, Panama, used by CIA as a secret interrogation center, and military base during Operation PBSUCCESS.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A cable on January 5, 1954, stated that FJHOPEFUL was IDEN 1. Another cable on the same day stated that IDEN 1 was formerly DTROBALO.

A memo by William Robertson, on Operation PBSUCCESS, in July of 1954 stated that "eighty-nine tons of equipment were prepared in three forms at FJHOPEFUL."

A memo on United States defectors, in October, 1960, stated "with reference to Nicholas Petrulli, it is noted that his cousin, Michael Thomas Schiralli, SSD 84258, is a former CIA covert employee, who was assigned to (REDACTION) Panama under Project FJHOPEFUL and also took part in PBSUCCESS. As of July 1954 he was to be debriefed as he chose to return to private employment." It is likely that the redaction in this memo was Fort Clayton.
Sources:

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala Current Section: Abbreviations and Cryptonyms

Page xvi: "FJHOPEFUL, military base..."

https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/BERISHA%2C%20DESTAN_0031.pdf

01/05/54: Cable from Director to Withheld: DIR 33073 (OUT 61205) ..."B. (REDACTION) appears be no solution but return Greece. Sending man FJHOPEFUL (IDEN 1) this week to persuade him sign terms per para 2 ref..." - - - Page 3: 01/05/54: Cable from Director to Withheld: RE: DIR 33073 (OUT 61205): "IDEN 1 formerly DTROBALO."

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala Current Section: 115. 3/12/54-Contact Report

03/12/54: Contact Report: 9:40 a.m. - 12.10 p.m.: Place: War Room. Staff Present: (10 names in total not declassified), W. Robertson: Page 2: ..."[initials not declassified] asked that Gen. Cabell be requested to modify his order closing FJHOPEFUL and this is being extended for the duration of PBSUCCESS..."

https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/DOC_0000920194.pdf

6/4/54: At page 19 of 28, re security - "The light REDACTED cover given to the staff instructors apparently served the purpose. Major use of the cover was for overt commercial travel between FJHOPEFUL and LINCOLN. Travel from FJHOPEFUL to and residence in KMFLUSH/Nicaragua was black. Movement in KMFLUSH was facilitated by special travel permits issued by SALAMANDER. The only time these failed to serve the purpose was during the assassination attempt against (REDACTED - five letters) at which time all movement was restricted. The isolation of the SCRANTON sites served to ease the strain on cover..."

Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952-1954: Guatemala Current Section: 274. 7/8/54-Memorandum From William Robertson of Operation PBSUCCESS to the Chief of the Project

07/08/54: Memo from William Robertson of Operation PBSUCCESS to the Chief of the Project: Subject: PM Operation..."II. Staging and Pre-Operation Preparations: A. The Background of the Situation Prior to the Staging: 1. Approximately 85 Calligeris personnel had received training in Nicaragua, 75 of these under the guidance of Pivall. Pivall graduated 30 sabotage leaders, 6 shock troop leaders, 16 organizers, 4 staff personnel and 19 incompetents. Exactly 13 radio operators graduated under the guidance of Dunavant and Middlecott. 2. Eighty-nine tons of equipment were prepared in three forms at FJHOPEFUL. Forty-three tons were waterproofed for burial. Fifteen tons were packed for drop. Thirty-one tons were prepared for shock troop use. Prior to the staging period the entire burial and shock troop equipment had been moved to Honduras..."

104-10129-10134: AMERICAN DEFECTORS.

10/01/60: Memo from M. D. Stevens to Chief, Security Research Staff: ..."With reference to Nicholas Petrulli, it is noted that his cousin, Michael Thomas Schiralli, SSD 84258, is a former CIA covert employee, who was assigned to (REDACTION) Panama under Project FJHOPEFUL and also took part in PBSUCCESS. As of July 1954 he was to be debriefed as he chose to return to private employment. Schiralli advised during an IRD interview in May 1953 (handwritten note: polygraph info). Schiralli was born and raised on Long Island; and subsequently was employed in various places on Long Island. From February 1950 to April 1950, he was employed by a TV firm in...Long Island..."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald • Bill Simpich • Hank Albarelli

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