Minutes of the Third Meeting of the National Security Council

NCT (PSF/Nse) 303 TOP SECRET MINUTES OF THE 3RD MEETING of the NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL held on Friday, December 12, 1947, in the office of the Secretary of Defense MEMBERS PRESENT James V. Forrestal, Secretary of Defense, presiding George F. Kennan, representing the Secretary of State Kenneth C. Royall, Secretary of the Army John L. Sullivan, Secretary of the Navy W. Stuart Symington, Secretary of the Air Force Arthur M. Hill, Chairman, National Security Resources Board Dr. Vannevar Bush, Chairman, Research and Development Board (invited but unable to attend) OTHERS PRESENT Rear Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, Director of Central Intelligence Cornelius V. Whitney, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Vice Admiral Forrest P. Sherman, Department of the Navy Lieutenant General Lauris Norstad, Department of the Air Force Major General Stephen J. Chamberlin, Department of the Army Rear Admiral Thomas B. Inglis, Department of the Navy John H. Ohly, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense W. Park Armstrong, Acting Special Assistant to the Secretary of State Robert Blum, office of the Secretary of Defense SECRETARIAT Sidney W. Souers, Executive Secretary James S. Lay, Jr., Assistant Executive Secretary ACTIONS 1. ORGANIZATION, ACTIVITIES AND PLANS OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ADMIRAL HILLENKOETTER gave an oral report on the organization, activities and plans of the Central Intelligence Agency. All Council members asked questions and made suggestions on this subject. Specifically, Admiral Hillenkoetter stated that there was a difference of opinion as to whether he had coordinating authority over DECLASSIFIED E.0. 12065, Sec. 3-402 NSC CM. 2:29.20 1979 Stato Dopt. PROJUCT NLT 79-19 NARS, Dite 6-11-fo 1 - TOP SRORET