Licensed to Kill—In Real Life

In Moscow, in the first week of December 1959, top officials of the Secret Police, including the prestigious head of the KGB (State Security Committee) , Alexander N. Shelepin, were gathered for a festive banquet. A promising young agent, Bogdan Stashynsky, had fulfilled his promise and was there to receive a great nation’s gratitude. In a decree dated November 6, 1959, the Presidium of the Supreme Court, the highest organ of government, had bestowed upon him one of its most glorious awards, the Order of the Red Banner.

Comrade Shelepin personally read the document, signed by Klementi Voroshilov, Chairman of the Presidium and therefore President of the USSR, and pinned the Order on the guest of honor. The text of the decree took cognizance of the young man’s performance of “an important government commission,” not otherwise identified. Shelepin then questioned Stashynsky closely about details of his achievement, revealing in the process that he was already thoroughly familiar with the assignment and its execution.

EL

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Eugene Lyons

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In Moscow, in the first week of December 1959, top officials of the Secret Police, including the prestigious head of the KGB (State Security Committee) , Alexander N. Shelepin, were gathered for a festive banquet. A promising young agent, Bogdan Stashynsky, had fulfilled his promise and was there to receive a great nation’s gratitude. In a decree dated November 6, 1959, the Presidium of the Supreme Court, the highest organ of government, had bestowed upon him one of its most glorious awards, the Order of the Red Banner.

Comrade Shelepin personally read the document, signed by Klementi Voroshilov, Chairman of the Presidium and therefore President of the USSR, and pinned the Order on the guest of honor. The text of the decree took cognizance of the young man’s performance of “an important government commission,” not otherwise identified. Shelepin then questioned Stashynsky closely about details of his achievement, revealing in the process that he was already thoroughly familiar with the assignment and its execution.