American electrical engineer and one of the most notorious spies in U.S. history (1918–1953). After earning an electrical engineering degree in 1939, he married Ethel Greenglass and took a civilian position with the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1940. By 1942, Rosenberg was spying for the Soviet Union, passing classified materials—including proximity fuze designs—and recruiting others, including his brother-in-law David Greenglass, who relayed information from the Manhattan Project. Rosenberg was dismissed from his job in 1945 and arrested in 1950 after Greenglass implicated him during an atomic espionage investigation. Convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed on June 19, 1953. DS, signed "Julius Rosenberg," two pages, 8 x 11, February 13, 1945. Confidential document submitted to Signal Corps commanding officer Lt. Col. Frank Prina, on the subject of his "Indefinite Suspension" stemming from the discovery of his past ties to the Communist Party; Rosenberg was ultimately dismissed as a result.
In part: "Reference is made to letter dated 10 February 1945 suspending me indefinitely pending action by the Secretary of War on a recommendation by you for my removal from civil service employment…The charge as listed in paragraph #3 of letter is: 'Investigation has disclosed evidence of membership by you in the Communist party'…Since September 2, 1945, I have been in the employ of the Signal Corps. During this period I received three promotions and my periodic efficiency ratings were either 'good' or 'very good.' In the course of my work I have been Resident Inspector in Charge at Peter A. Petroff and Jefferson Travis Radio Manufacturing Corporation, and Assistant Resident Inspector in Charge at Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corporation. At times I have supervised the work of as many as fifty inspectors and engineers on receivers, transmitters, electronic and complicated radar equipment at many different contractors' plants…There never has been any question as to my efficiency, technical ability or character. I refer you to all the contractors and their representatives at whose plants I've been stationed, to all my former Resident Inspectors in Charge and my former Officers in Charge, as to my technical ability, efficiency and character; they can testify also as to my loyalty, patriotism and devotion to my country…
In the early part of 1941, I was investigated on the charge of alleged membership in the Communist party by the Civil Service Commission but after thorough investigation the extent of the charge was found to be that I held membership in the Federation of Architects, Engineers, Chemists and Technicians to which I readily admitted. Mr. Polk, the civil service investigator terminated my questioning on March 8, 1941 as follows: 'I personally don't think you are a Communist and I believe all the answers you gave during the interviews were truthful.' These charges were finally dropped…
I don't see why after four and a half years of conscientious work this old and discredited charge should be revitalized. It only serves to persecute me, prevents me from making my contribution to the war effort as an electronic engineer and earning my livelihood in the established American way, and thereby denies me my inalienable right to maintain myself, my wife and child…
My suspension places me in a position whereby I am not only prevented from earning any money on this job, but cannot seek my livelihood elsewhere without a statement of availability. It is extremely urgent therefore that you act immediately to reinstate me on the job and clear my record. This action is all the more exigent in view of the financial hardship my family and I must suffer until the matter is satisfactorily settled. Furthermore, as long as my position is not clear, I may be momentarily drafted into the armed services, thereby losing the chance to refute the charges and bring the issue to a successful conclusion…Therefore I request a prompt decision on my behalf to rectify the situation in the interest of justice and fair play." In very good condition, with tape stains, tears, and small areas of loss to the edges.
At the height of World War II, Rosenberg had been working as a civilian engineer for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, entrusted with overseeing sensitive electronics projects. However, in an era increasingly marked by fear of Communist infiltration—particularly in positions tied to national defense—his past membership in the Communist Party and related labor organizations drew official scrutiny. This letter, addressed to his commanding officer, is a detailed plea for reinstatement following his indefinite suspension, which was based on revived allegations about his political past. Rosenberg frames his dismissal as unjust persecution, citing his technical competence, loyalty, and prior clearance by investigators. Historically, this document foreshadows the deepening of Cold War tensions and anti-Communist sentiment that would later culminate in Rosenberg’s arrest, conviction, and execution for espionage in 1953.
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