DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY MEDICAL COMMAND
2050 WORTH ROAD
FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS 78234-6000
REPLY TO
ATTENTION OF

MCZX

30 March 2007

MEMORANDUM FOR Director, US Army Records Management and Declassification
Agency, Attn: Mr. Ken Hensen, 7701 Telegraph Road, Casey Bldg., Alexandria VA
22315-3860 (ATTN: Mr. Ken Hansen)
SUBJECT: Japanese War Crimes - Record Search at Fort Detrick, Maryland

1. The US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) provides this memorandum in
response to the request from HQDA for information concerning records of interest to the
Nazi/Japanese War Crimes Interagency Working Group (IWG). Fort Detrick and the US
Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), which includes the US
Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), make the
representations that follow.
2. Regarding the search effort at Fort Detrick and the USAMRMC, including
USAMRIID, for records responsive to the Japanese/Nazi War Crimes legislation: Fort
Detrick and the USAMRMC assures a diligent effort has been made to find responsive
documents and turn such documents over to the National Archives (NARA), as
requested:
a. Documents from Fort Detrick relating to Japanese Biological Warfare and/or Unit
731 were forwarded to Dugway Proving Grounds in 1971.
b. The USAMRMC sent responsive documents to NARA in or around 2001. Refer to
email from USAMRMC Public Affairs Office, dated 13 Aug 2004 (Enclosure 1).
c. In early 2007, the USAMRIID performed a thorough search for any remaining
responsive records, including records regarding Unit 731, and found no records. Refer
to 13 Feb 07 MFR from USAMRIID, signed by the Records Manager and Security and
Operation Officer (Enclosure 2). The search was conducted by numerous individuals
within USAMRIID, including the Commander and other senior personnel. The search
included the command suite vault and all possibly relevant areas within USAMRIID.
3. Regarding allegations by Professor Sheldon Harris concerning possible destruction
of records at Fort Detrick: Professor Harris, in his letter, dated 7 October 1999, stated
that the recently-retired Public Information Officer at Fort Detrick (Mr. Norman Covert)
told Professor Harris that upon retiring he was told to get rid of documents relating to
Japanese war crimes.

 MCZX
SUBJECT: Japanese War Crimes - Record Search at Fort Detrick, Maryland

a. The USAMRMC is unaware of any authority at Fort Detrick or the USAMRMC
requesting destruction of any responsive original records, or of copies of Fort Detrick or
USAMRMC documents not previously provided to Dugway or NARA.
b. It is the understanding of USAMRMC that Mr. Covert maintained personal Xerox
copies of unclassified Unit 731 documents for his own historical research, and that the
originals and carbon copies for these documents had previously been sent to Dugway
Proving Grounds. He may also have had other privately-obtained research material
about Japanese Biological Warfare.
4. Regarding "personal" papers belonging to COL Arthur Anderson, USAMRIID:
a. COL Anderson has no objection to turning over all of these records. COL
Anderson’s papers will be forwarded separately within 5 business days. It is the
understanding of Fort Detrick and the USAMRMC that these documents were
previously sent to Dugway.
b. In the late 1990s, COL Anderson was seeking materials from Mr. Covert about the
well-known "Operation Whitecoat," to assist Jonathan Moreno in his book effort ("Undue
Risk"). In the course of his discussions with Mr. Covert, COL Anderson became aware
that Mr. Covert had copies of unclassified documents about Unit 731 that had previously
been sent to Dugway. COL Anderson asked to see Mr. Covert's documents; whereupon
Mr. Covert gave COL Anderson copies of the documents.
5. The point of contact for this memorandum is: Mr. John Peterson, Chief, Freedom of
Information/Privacy Acts Office, (210) 221-7826.
FOR THE COMMANDER

(ORIGINAL SIGNED)
Encls

WILLIAM H. THRESHER
Chief Of Staff

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