Alexander Koral

Alexander Koral (1897 – 1968) was an American member of the Communist Party of the United States (CPUSA) who headed a network of spies for Soviet intelligence during World War II called the "Art" or "Berg" group. Koral's wife, Helen Koral, also was involved with the group.

Background

Koral was born in London on April 18, 1897.

Career

Koral began to work for New York City's Board of Education in 1926 as an engineer. By 1948, he was assistant engineer of construction. When asked to testify before HUAC on August 9, 1948, however, he pled the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer any questions about communist affiliations.

Dismissal

In late September 1948, Koral was dismissed from his job for failing to cooperate with HUAC per Chapter 40 Section 903 of the New York City Charter.

Venona Alexander Koral is referenced in the following Venona project decrypts: 1251 KGB New York to Moscow, 2 September 1944 1332 KGB New York to Moscow, 18 September 1944 1582 KGB New York to Moscow, 12 November 1944 1636 KGB New York to Moscow, 21 November 1944 1803 KGB New York to Moscow, 22 December 1944 50 KGB New York to Moscow, 11 January 1945 1052 KGB New York to Moscow, 5 July 1945 275 KGB Moscow to New York, 25 March 1945 337 KGB Moscow to New York, 8 April 1945

After Venona

The Cold War International History Project (CWIHP) has the full text of former KGB agent Alexander Vassiliev's Notebooks containing new evidence on Koral's cooperation with the Soviet Union.