Jack Dunlap
Encyclopedia
Jack E. Dunlap was a United States Army
sergeant stationed at the National Security Agency
who later became a spy for the Soviet Union
in the early 1960s.
. At the time, background investigations were more strict for civilian employees than members of the military. When the NSA began Sgt. Dunlap's background investigation, indications of Dunlap's "high lifestyle" began to emerge. Dunlap's security clearance
was revoked on May 23, 1963, and the NSA transferred Dunlap to a menial job.
on July 23, 1963; James Jesus Angleton
, the director of counter-intelligence at the CIA at the time, has long been rumoured to have been involved in Dunlap's death. After his death, Dunlap's wife discovered a small stack of NSA code word material in the attic of their house and gave it to the Army Counterintelligence
agent in charge of the investigation. She did not provide any documents to the NSA.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
sergeant stationed at the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
who later became a spy for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in the early 1960s.
NSA spying activities
In order to continue his access to classified information, Sgt. Dunlap applied for civilian employment at the NSANational Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
. At the time, background investigations were more strict for civilian employees than members of the military. When the NSA began Sgt. Dunlap's background investigation, indications of Dunlap's "high lifestyle" began to emerge. Dunlap's security clearance
Security clearance
A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal...
was revoked on May 23, 1963, and the NSA transferred Dunlap to a menial job.
Death and related controversies
Dunlap committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoningCarbon monoxide poisoning
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after enough inhalation of carbon monoxide . Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, but, being colorless, odorless, tasteless, and initially non-irritating, it is very difficult for people to detect...
on July 23, 1963; James Jesus Angleton
James Jesus Angleton
James Jesus Angleton was chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's counterintelligence staff from 1954 to 1975...
, the director of counter-intelligence at the CIA at the time, has long been rumoured to have been involved in Dunlap's death. After his death, Dunlap's wife discovered a small stack of NSA code word material in the attic of their house and gave it to the Army Counterintelligence
Counter Intelligence Corps
The Counter Intelligence Corps was a World War II and early Cold War intelligence agency within the United States Army. Its role was taken over by the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps in 1961 and, in 1967, by the U.S. Army Intelligence Agency...
agent in charge of the investigation. She did not provide any documents to the NSA.