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Jan 28, 1952 Dear General Smith: Toward the end of February I am going to the Mediterranean area and afterwards to all of the countries of Europe not out of bounds. I am commissioned by Colliers Magazine to do a series of articlessubjects and areas to be chosen by myself. I shall move slowly going only where interest draws. The trip will take six to eight months. If during this period I can be of any service whatever to yourself or to the Agency you direct, I shall be only too glad. I saw Herbert Bayard Swope recently and he told me that your health had improved. I hope this is so. Also I wear the Lou for 52 button concealed under the lapel as that shy candidate suggests. AgainI shall be pleased to be of service. The pace and method of my junket together with my intention of talking with great numbers of people of all classes may oer peculiar advantages. Yours sincerely, John Steinbeck

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6 February 1952 Mr. John Steinbeck 206 East 72nd Street New York 21, New York Dear Mr. Steinbeck:

ER 2-5603

I greatly appreciate the oer of assistance made in your note of January 28th. You can, indeed, be of help to us by keeping your eyes and ears open on any political developments in the areas through which you travel, and, in addition, on any other matters which seem to you of signicance, particularly those which might be overlooked in routine reports. It would be helpful, too, if you could come down to Washington for a talk with us before you leave. We might then discuss any special matters on which you may feel that you can assist us. Since I am certain that you will have some very interesting things to say, I trust, also, that you will be able to reserve some time for us on your return. Sincerely, Walter B. Smith Director O/DCI:REL:leb Rewritten: LEBecker:mlk Distribution: Orig Addressee 2 DCI (Reading Ocial) [w/Basic has been handwritten beside this line and scratched out] 1 DD/P [a check mark and w/Basic handwritten in] 1 Admin [This has been scratched out] handwritten is w/ Basic

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August 3, 2012 Mr. Brian Kannard Reference: F-2012-00585 Dear Mr. Kannard: This is a nal response to your 9 and 30 January 2012 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests pertaining to John Ernest (sic) Steinbeck. We processed your request in accordance with the FOIA, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended, and the CIA Information Act, 50 U.S.C. 431, as amended. Our processing included a search for records as described in our 13 April 2012 acceptance letter. We completed a thorough search for records responsive to your request and located one document, consisting of three pages, which we can release in segregable form with deletions made on the basis of FOIA exemption (b)(3). The document is enclosed. With respect to records that would reveal a classied connection between the CIA and your subject, in accordance with section 3.6(a) of Executive Order 13526, the CIA can neither conrm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of records responsive to your request. The fact of the existence or nonexistence of requested records is currently and properly classied and relates to intelligence sources and methods information that is protected from disclosure by section 6 of the CIA Act of 1949, as amended, and section 102A(i)(l) of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended. Therefore, this portion of your request is denied pursuant to FOIA exemptions (b)(1) and (b)(3). I have enclosed an Explanation of Exemptions for your reference and retention. Although our searches were thorough and diligent, and it is highly unlikely that repeating those searches would change the result, you nevertheless have the legal right to appeal the above decisions. As the CIA Information and Privacy Coordinator, I am the CIA ocial responsible for these determinations. You have the right to appeal this response to the Agency Release Panel, in my care, within 45 days from the date of this letter. Please include the basis of your appeal. In accordance with our regulation, as a matter of administrative discretion, the Agency has waived the fees for this request. Sincerely, Michele Meeks Information and Privacy Coordinator

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After pursuing a degree in Finance and Economics at David Lipscomb University, Brian ran small business concerns for three years and entered the world of corporate management in 1998 for an eleven-year tour. In 2009, Brian left his management career to nish his rst book, Skullduggery: 45 True Tales of Disturbing the Dead, and in early 2010, opened the independent publishing house Grave Distractions Publications. In the last three years, Grave Distractions has published over fty books for nineteen dierent authors, including the works of Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Dr. Robert Eisenman of the University of California, Long Beach and American History Professor Dr. James T. Baker of Western Kentucky University. Brian also does freelance writing and his articles have been featured in such places as: Armchair General Magazine, CNN, Coast to Coast AM, Psychic Oracle Magazine, Red Ice Creations, Yahoo News, and Unexplained Mysteries. Brian is also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason and writes the esoteric themed blog, Grail Seekers. Assisting Brian in his work is his lovely wife Laura, son Robert, and unholy black cats Preacher and Mercado. Currently, Brian is considering a number of projects delving into Cold War mysteries.

Author Bio

The author standing on the deck of USS LST 325. This Navy transport ship landed troops and equipment at the 1943 Salerno invasion.

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