Joseph D. Douglass Jr.

authority on U.S.-Soviet relations and subsequent geo-political strategies and

conflicts, died Friday at his retirement home in Pompano Beach Fla. He was 79.

During his career, Dr. Douglass was sought out for his research, knowledge and

expertise on the strategies and tactics of the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War and also

for his interviews revealing facts about the fate of thousands U.S. military personnel

listed as missing in action and prisoners of war during World War II and the Korean

and Vietnam conflicts.

Dr. Douglass was born on May 30, 1935 in Rocky River, Ohio, the son of Joseph

Douglass Sr. and Clara Douglass. His father was a patent attorney. Joseph Jr. was a

graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y., where he also was awarded his Ph.D. in

electrical engineering.

While at Cornell, Dr. Douglass founded a men’s triple quartet singing group known

as The Sherwoods, that performed in the U.S. and abroad entertaining U.S. service

men and women at USOs and military bases. He was also a member of the Paul Hill

Chorale in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Douglas taught at Cornell as well as The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore,

MD, and the Navy Postgraduate School. He also worked at the Advanced Research

Projects Agency, now renamed the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Dr. Douglass was best known for two books that he wrote following a long

debriefing of Mr. Jan Sejna, the highest-ranking Communist defector to the United

States. Those books, Red Cocaine, the Drugging of America, and Betrayed, the story of

MIAs and POWs from several U.S. wars, are considered by some experts to contain

breakthrough information on international drug strategies and the illegal detention

and experimentation on MIAs and POWs based on factual evidence gained from

interviews.

Other books he authored included Soviet Military Strategy in Europe, Conventional

War and Escalation: The Soviet View, CBW: The Poor Man’s Atomic Bomb, Decision-

Making in Communist Countries: An Inside View, Why the Soviets Violate Arms Control

Treaties, The Soviet Theater Nuclear Offensive, and America the Vulnerable – The

Threat of Chemical/Biological Warfare. The books have been noted as best sellers by

the U.S. Government Printing Office.

Dr. Douglass’ papers, research and writings have been donated to Patrick Henry

College, Purcellville, VA.

In addition to singing in groups, Dr. Douglass was an avid outdoorsman who loved

to climb mountains, hike and scuba dive. He also loved the theater, classic movies,

cooking, and good conversation over gourmet dinners and fine wine.

Dr. Douglass was formerly a member of the Columbia Baptist Church, Falls Church,

VA, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Shenandoah Valley, VA.

Dr. Douglass is survived by his widow, Roberta Gilbert Douglass, M.D., and two

children, Jeffrey Douglass and Gail Douglass. A memorial service for Dr. Douglass

will be held at 3:30 p.m., June 7, at John Knox Village Chapel, 651 SW 6th Street,

Pompano Beach, FL. 33060.

Donations in Dr. Douglass’ memory can be made to:

The John Knox Village Foundation, 400 N.W. Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

Operation Blessing, International, PO Box 2636, Virginia Beach, VA, 23450

The Center for the Study of the Family, 4400 MacArthur Blvd. NW, Suite 103,

Washington DC 20007