 In addition to establishing relations , the goal was to investigate the Communist Party politically and militarily , and determine if the U.S. would benefit from establishing liaison . John S. Service , of the United States Department of State , was responsible for political analysis , and Colonel David D. Barrett of the United States Army performed the military analysis . Initially , they reported that the Chinese Communists might be useful wartime and post @-@ war ally , and that the atmosphere in Yan 'an was more energetic and less corrupt than in Nationalist areas . After the war , the Dixie Mission 's reports , and Service and Barrett , were condemned by pro @-@ Chinese Nationalist factions in the American government and fell victim to McCarthyism . Service was fired from his position at the State Department , and Barrett was denied a promotion to brigadier general . 
