Jack Childs

Jack and Morris Childs were FBI spies inside the US Communist Party from the end of World War 2 until the spring of 1980. Despite being under suspicion as American agents, Jack and Morris were awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1975. In 1987 both brothers were also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Reagan, making them the only spies to be decorated by both the Soviet Union and the United States.

Jack

Jack (codenamed MARAT) covertly received money from KGB operations officers in New York City to be used in secret to fund the Party. Jack would then give the money to Morris for safekeeping, as directly handing it to Gus Hall was purportedly too dangerous. In the 60s KGB subsidies of the US Communist Party were around one million dollars. In the 70s this increased to two million dollars.

Morris

Morris (codenamed KHAB) was invited to Moscow in April 1958 to discuss financial help for the US Communist Party . Henceforth he usually made annual trips to Moscow to request funds and receive instructions, as well as take part in discussion on American affairs. He lived to the age of 89 and died in 1991. Morris was married to Eva Childs who often took part in his annual trips to Moscow.

Bibliography

John Barron, "Operation Solo: The FBI's Man in the Kremlin" (Regnery Publishing, 1996) ISBN 0-89526-486-2