US Defense Secretary imposes the hands, shouting "Russian go!». This image of the dreams most militant patriots Runet was almost embodied in 1949 year and he gave us one of the most enduring myths of the Cold War times. The history of the death of James Forrestal is unique in its kind and is still full of mysteries with the hashtag # KGB, #CIA UFO #.
Smooth 70 years ago, near the National Naval Medical Center US body was found in his pajama pants, belonging to James Forrestal. Former Defense Minister, Only two months ago, retired, He fell from the window of the 16th floor. Upon investigation, it was stated about suicide.
Many people in America do not believe in the official version. And these are different from the Russian citizens, which is very popular tale about, I suffer from paranoia Forrestal jumped out of a hospital window, shouting "Russian go!». The real story of his death, was a little less cinematic, but I would pull a good drama series, where there would be room for a government conspiracy, nuclear threat, Israeli intelligence and an alien invasion.
"The most dangerous man in America"
Minister of Defense appeared in the US alone in 1947. Before there were three different departments with three equal of officials headed - Minister of War on land, air and sea forces. Responsible for last - James Forrestal, The US Navy has spent over the last year of the war and demobilization - headed integrated structure, although there was a categorical opponent of the merger of three ministries.
It is typical for Forrestal. He is chronically unlucky in his career was as a theorist.
History does not tolerate the subjunctive mood, but if Forrestal could push its own line, After the Allied victory over Hitler, it could look like this.
Strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki are not implemented. Washington adopts a "mild form" of Japan's surrender before the attack the USSR. Kuril Islands and southern Sakhalin are still run from Tokyo, at the same time they are placed American troops.
Washington and its allies in Europe do not support the partition of Palestine and the creation of Israel, taking the side of the Arab governments and the oil industry.
The US has huge surpluses of weapons and have preferred the chances, to win the Korean War.
The Cold War began before, takes tougher and accompanied by buildup of American military power against the pro-communist forces around the world. Regrouping Western armies against Moscow takes place immediately after the capture of Berlin. In the oceans bet on drums naval group, formed around carriers.
However, President Truman did not listen to Forrestal. He held the man in his office and made to execute orders, against which the Minister of Defense strongly protested. for example, a decree on the reduction of the army and its transition to a much more modest funding.
It may even seem, Truman did it out of sadistic reasons. But he really appreciated his opponent, had an outstanding mind, personal courage and fantastic workaholism.
Forrestal meticulously delved into all the details, and always tried to be at the best events. for example, personally I witnessed the battle of Iwo Jima. The flag in the famous photograph, occupies in the minds of Americans the same place, which takes in the minds of Russian Chaldean frame with the Banner of Victory over the Reichstag, - This is the second in a row hoisted flag. First promptly landed Forrestal took with him - "in memory".
And Forrestal - a pilot, a veteran of the First World, amateur boxer and bright journalist agitator in the distant past - really I hated Communists, afraid of them, He foresaw in them a major threat to US security. He was one of those, who he is immensely respected and reverently quoted Senator McCarthy, unleashed the country's infamous "witch hunt". A legendary American journalist Drew Pearson called Forrestal, "the most dangerous man in the US", who is ready to start a third world war because of his anti-communist paranoia.
Unlike Senator McCarthy, Pearson was the legendary journalist friend of our country. But, as Senator McCarthy, he was not a good man.
The story of the dying cries of "Russian go!"Transferred to the Russian word of mouth thanks to him.
Bullying of our fathers
In the Russian reality Pearson's difficult to find an analogue. more precisely, do not be.
presented to journalists, close to the corridors of power and creative story in real time. idea, that he personally opposes President, accused of provocations and lies. Add to this abominable reputation, brilliant talent and the ability to influence the minds. take into account, that we are dealing simultaneously with the political thinker and a "yellow" reporter, whose creative method - scandals, intrigues, gossip, gossip, fakie and dirty linen. Here is Drew Pearson, unique in-kind character svom, having a personal "piggy bank" as the Order of the Legion of Honor, and a star on the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood.
namely Pearson, first wrote about the "slapping incident", almost buried (more precisely, buried, but only for a while) career of Lieutenant General George Patton - the ultra maniac, confident, that the Anglo-Saxons should rule the world, and Russian Jews - this is not a people.
It was he who proved the Roosevelt administration, do not hurry with the opening of a second front in Europe, not in order, the Germans had time to kill as many as possible of the Communists.
It is considered the best "political undertaker" of America and was personally responsible not only for the, several influential congressmen were jailed, but also for, that desperate chose Forrestal jump into the grave.
Many years later, in the immediate vicinity of the legendary journalist will find the Soviet secret police informants. Communication with them very Pearson has not been proved and is questionable, although his work has been very useful to the USSR. In the eyes of this American patriot enough, to read Pearson bad man. But the bad man it does not it.
Pearson was sincere in his views and is perfect for the role of cleaning the 'Washington swamp "of frank scoundrels (properly, his legendary editorial column each time was devoted to the next "scoundrel", which ought to expose). At the same time he understood, that his influence and fame are held on the controversial halo, and therefore not only provoked scandals, but also to create them from scratch. Simply put, lied, He dissolved the slanderous rumors and was essentially illegible in methods.
Forrestal became one of the main targets - the regular "villain" in publications Pearson. To assess the level of freedom of speech in the United States in those years (and along with the methods of Pearson), I mention only one charge, filed in the genre of hearing: supposedly last wife Forrestal was the victim of sexual abuse, Forrestal and because of their cowardice, she could not help anything, Here and now is afraid of the Soviet Union so, that is ready to delete planet nuclear dust.
it is, recall, on the actions of the Minister of Defense. Which a journalist decided to make a pear whipping - and made, and without prejudice to their own health.
Another thing, paranoia at Forrestal was indeed. At least, he began to suffer a nervous breakdown, which according to the fashion of those years we were going to be treated with electroshock and only a last-minute change of heart.
Swoon at a distance
The Minister of War had several reasons for breakdown.
At first, daily stress from occurring in the office of Truman. Forrestal was in chronic opposition to the president, but they continued to perform his orders, which he considered erroneous.
Secondly, Communists, as if confirming the head of the Pentagon fears, They took power in China and continued to strengthen in Europe.
Thirdly, the Minister had no one to lean on emotionally. In workaholism and love of order had a downside - a lack of empathy and detachment in his personal life. He was cool with the kids, and his wife brought to alcoholism.
Finally, Forrestal hated publicity and, professedly, I preferred to act out of the shadows. Baiting by Pearson not only pulled it out of the comfort zone, but also hit the most sore spot.
Soon, with Pearson began to take the example of other "press-gang". Another legendary American journalist - Walter Vinchel - lashed Forrestal right. His views in many respects different from those of the Pearson, but creative method was similar - hatred. Before the war, the Jew hated Vinchel American isolationists as accomplices of Hitler, and after the war, but just as passionately - Communists. But I love poking around in alcoves, professionally commented on gossip and fanned whenever possible sex scandal.
In this toxic (as one would say now!) atmosphere notebook egghead Forrestal makes terrible folly: I went to negotiate with the presidential candidate of the Republican Thomas Dewey, I found him commonality of views and agreed to maintain the post of defense minister in the new cabinet. The same shuttle in time spent Barack Obama, taking to himself the Minister of Defense George Bush, Obama won the election only, a DUI, Contrary to most forecasts,, lost.
Soon after the re-election of Truman Forrestal pointed at the door. This is a pilot and dobilo - five days after the resignation of the former minister was placed in a hospital and was diagnosed with reactive depression, develop on the background of fatigue. And two days after that agreement was signed on the establishment of NATO, that its appearance owes Forrestal.
It was this man's paranoia? Hard to say. for example, he thought, being followed Israeli intelligence services. But after the Forrestal's death were made public evidence, Israelis really watched him, knowing, that they are dealing with a politician, who does not want to quarrel with the oil sheiks for the sake of the Jewish state.
But he was not exactly those of psychosis and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which are described in the materials Pearson, sophisticated finishing off lying.
Martians instead of the Russian
Forrestal was not screaming about Russian, when I jumped out of the window. This is the completion of purely Russian history. Nothing of the sort claimed and Pearson, since the jump of witnesses could not be found. But the journalist wrote, that finally sbrendivshy Minister repeated in his paranoid delusions: "Russians are coming. Russians are coming. They are here. I saw Russian soldiers!»
This phrase became winged. In the US, it represents unwarranted fears "hawks" in front of external threats. In 1966, the so-called comedy, the plot where the Soviet submarine crew made friends with the inhabitants of the American town, and those in gratitude for saving the child covered Russian sailors from hitting the US Air Force.
But doctors and friends Forrestal denied, he said something like that, and fell into a state of irresponsible. And people from surrounding Pearson claimed, journalist deliberately pursued Minister, if a predator game, deliberately dissolved the wild rumors and, as it noted above, regularly lied.
Therefore, in the US version of the suicidal madness Forrestal on Russian soil known much worse, than in Russia. Rebounding from a knowledge, Pearson that this issue can not be trusted, she simply forgotten. But not to forget himself Forrestal. Many historians call it, if not the best, the most talented defense minister in postwar US history. In his honor, was named the first aircraft carrier, Designed after the victory over Japan, and building, where is located the Department of Energy.
A Pearson's activities in 1949, estimated by the way, he was consigned to the grave of one of the best sons of the fatherland.
This if we assume, Forrestal that really took his own life, although clearly he was on the mend and was able to overcome the depletion. But this version is not all believe, and it is difficult to blame the excessive suspiciousness.
Repeat this once more: just two months after the resignation is in remission Pentagon chief suddenly goes crazy enough, that jumps out of the window in the same pajama bottoms, as well as a suicide note left handwritten fragment of Sophocles 'Ajax'. its hero, not get the desired, also gone mad, I killed a lot of people, and then he killed himself by realizing their own shame.
Subsequently, these bones will grow conspirological meat - classified investigation materials, differences in handwriting, shards of glass, allegedly found in a hospital bed. They will be supported by evidence of quite competent people and abut the truly paranoid version, according to which a retired minister was eliminated agents - or Soviet, or government, or even alien. At least, as one of the reasons for the "elimination of the incorruptible Forrestal" in the tabloids called incorrigible t. n. Roswell incident.
"The truth is somewhere near". And if this is not a promising basis for the series, then what then - promising?
Dmitry Bavyrin
