Joint Chiefs of Staff Cable 7720

This is a cable from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet (CINCPAC) authorizing an air strike in retaliation for the second Gulf of Tonkin incident.

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TIONAL MILITARY COMMAND YTER MESSAGE CENTER b.POL at Vinh. c. Armed recce against SWATOWs and PT boats beyond 3 mile limit. For purpose of armed recce attack of SWATOWs and PT boats, off-shore islands are con- sidered outside 3 mile limit. d. If weather precludes meeting above time of attack proceed soonest and notify JCS asap. 2. Use CVA aircraft only. 3. Armed recce aircraft are to avoid Hainan Island and not to come within 50 miles of CHICOM border. 4. Continue DESOTO Patrols. 5. Defer 34 ALFA operations for 24 hours. 6. Advise details of operations plan when available, including number of sorties each target complex, weapon loading, tactics, etc. Flash report on mission success desired plus photo coverage ASAP. 7. If targets not destroyed on first strike, you should request authority for a second strike. GP-3. 7720 SYMBOL PAGE NR OF SECURITY CLASSIFICATION INITIALS PAGES 2 2 TOP SECUED - 07027 T9P TOC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED x