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Pseudonym: Bracton, Walter

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Definition:
Walter Bracton was an alias used for CIA officer David A. Phillips.
Category:
alias
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A cable from La Paz on October 29, 1963, stated that "headquarters desires Pataker (probably Jim Flannery) defer home leave until next summer and transfer direct to Mexico City where he replaces Walter B. Bracton (IDENTITY B)." A cable the same day from La Paz stated that Identity B was David Phillips.

A cable from Mexico City on October 31, 1963, stated "please change name Walter B. Bracton to Michael C. Choaden (David Phillips)." Winston Scott, Mexico City Chief of Station (COS), commented that "Pataker's next assignment is Mexico City where he replaces Walter B. Bracton."

Larry Hancock mentioned that David Phillips used the alias Walter Bracton in his book, Nexus: The CIA and Political Assassination.
Sources:

104-10100-10312: CABLE ANNOUNCING STAFF PCS ASSIGNMENTS

10/29/63, Cable from La Paz to Director: "Chief, KUDOVE approved Wade I. Teegast (IDENTITY A), now COS Prince, as replacement for Pataker (probably Jim Flannery). Pataker's next assignment is Mexico City. Teegast should arrive La Paz early January 1964, and after suitable overlap, Headquarters desires Pataker defer home leave until next summer and transfer direct to Mexico City where he replaces Walter B. Bracton (IDENTITY B). ODACID (U.S. State Department) transfer orders being requested now for Pataker, and home leave orders will be requested later date next year."

104-10100-10313: IDEN CABLE FOR DIRECTOR 79075

10/29/63, Cable from La Paz to Director: REF: DIR 79075. "IDEN A: (REDACTION). IDEN B: David Phillips."

104-10290-10423: CABLE: PERSONNEL CHANGES

10/31/63, Cable from Mexico City to Director: REF DIR 79075* "1. Please change name Walter B. Bracton to Michael C. Choaden. 2. STA assumes Pataker will occupy position in HBFINCH (U.S. Embassy) previously occupied by Howard G. Safarano (IDEN). C/S Comment: *Pataker's next assignment is Mexico City where he replaces Walter B. Bracton."

104-1104-10061-10115: LIST OF NAMES RE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION

CIA cryptonyms and pseudonyms provided to HSCA staffers. Line 11 identifies "Michael M. Choaden" under (P) for pseudonym and Line 12 identifies "Walter A. Bracton" as (A) for alias. On the next page, both Lines 11 and 12 identify "David A. Phillips" as matching both descriptions.

Larry Hancock, Nexus: The CIA and Political Assassination, p. 24

"David Phillips (aka Paul D. Langevin and Walter B. Bracton), coming into the CIA as a contract employee after being a professional actor and Latin American newspaper operator, was assigned to psychological and propaganda operations in PB/SUCCESS..."

Contributors:
Larry Hancock • Bill Simpich • MFF

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