Souther, Glen Michael

(1957–1988)

   A civilian employee of the U.S. Navy with access to highly sensitive technical intelligence, Souther volunteered to work with the KGB while serving in Italy. While Souther worked for the Soviet services for a short period of time, he provided important information on U.S. military satellites. He apparently worked for the Soviet Union out of a highly romantic view of Russian culture and espionage. When he felt in danger in 1986, Souther defected to the Soviet Union, where he was nationalized under Soviet law as “Mikhail Orlov” and made a commissioned officer of the KGB. He committed suicide three years later, however, for reasons that have never been well explained. The official newspaper of the Red Army reported: “he had a short but full and brilliant life totally devoted to the struggle for removing the threat of nuclear war hanging over mankind and for a better life for ordinary people.” The report added: “Over a long period he performed important special missions and made a major contribution to ensuring state security.”