Ask the Scholar

{
    "localId": "6037289",
    "label": "Memorandum for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff - Subject: Temporary Reinforcement as a Berlin Deterrent (S)",
    "core": "doc",
    "dtoType": "document",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6037289"
}

{
    "id": "6037289",
    "sourceUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6037289",
    "contentType": "document",
    "title": "Memorandum for the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff - Subject: Temporary Reinforcement as a Berlin Deterrent (S)",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6037289",
    "collections": [
        "Robert S. McNamara Papers",
        "Records Relating to the Defense Program and Operations"
    ],
    "subjects": [
        "Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989"
    ],
    "iiifBase": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/89/372/6037289/content/arcmedia/research/1961-berlin-crisis/932006-3-4-16/Memo-For-The-Chairman-Joint-Chiefs-May-29-1961.jpg",
    "thumbnailUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/89/372/6037289/content/arcmedia/research/1961-berlin-crisis/932006-3-4-16/Memo-For-The-Chairman-Joint-Chiefs-May-29-1961.jpg",
    "largeImageUrl": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/89/372/6037289/content/arcmedia/research/1961-berlin-crisis/932006-3-4-16/Memo-For-The-Chairman-Joint-Chiefs-May-29-1961.jpg",
    "imageCount": 2,
    "hasImages": true,
    "source": "import",
    "hasTranscription": false
}

{
    "url": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6037289",
    "naId": 6037289,
    "levelOfDescription": "item",
    "productionDates": [
        {
            "day": 29,
            "logicalDate": "1961-05-29",
            "month": 5,
            "year": 1961
        }
    ],
    "recordType": "description",
    "ocrSource": "nara-archive"
}

{
    "seq": 2,
    "pageIndex": 0,
    "type": "document",
    "url": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/89/372/6037289/content/arcmedia/research/1961-berlin-crisis/932006-3-4-16/Memo-For-The-Chairman-Joint-Chiefs-May-29-1961.pdf",
    "mediaId": "683f0de13e58de82",
    "ocrText": "SEGRET\nMAY 29 1961\nMEMORANDUM FOR THE CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF C- 73712\nASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, ISA\nASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, COMPTROLLER .6-73716\nASSISTANT SECRETARY OF devense, MANPOWER 7-73217-\nASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, INSTALLATIONS AND LOGISTICS\nC-73718\nSUBJECT: Temporary Reinforcement as a Berlin Deterrent (s)\nIt may soon become desirable to show more clearly to the USSR, with-\nout faufare, the U.S. determination and ability to apply military power\nin the Berlin situation. I consider that temporary reinforcement of\nU.S. forces in Europe and some expansion of U.S. capability to reinforce\nfurther are among the most meeningful acts toward this purpose. The\nprimary objective of such actions would be to deter the USSR from\ninitiating a Berlin crisis.\n1 1 June su SD862\ngermany 09/\nIt is requested that the JCS, in coordination with other addressees,\nstudy and provide me by 6 June their views and recommendations regarding\nthe capability for, approximate costs of, and main implications of:\na. An air mobility exercise of about two battle groups to\nGermany in June, and return within 2-3 weeks, on the order of Long Thrust.\nb. Movement (air, sea, or both) of one STRAC division to\nGermany or Italy in July for a one- or two-month period.\nC. Calling one reserve component division to active service\nin July for a 30- or 60-day period.\n17apr61\na. Other similar scale activity of ground, naval, and air\nunits which you consider would contribute significantly to the above\nobjective at this stage.\nFor the purpose of this study, the Assistant Secretaries of Defense,\nInternational Security Affairs, Comptroller, Menpower and Installations\nand Logistics are requested to provide all necessary guidance, assistance\nand support in their respective areas to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. For\nplanning purposes, it should be assumed that these operations would be\n5.570\nfunded above present budgetary levels.\nIt is emphasized that this study is for planning purposes only\nand should not prompt any preparatory activity. Implementation would\nbe a matter for decision at the highest level.\nSigned\nSignatur Authent cated By:\nROSWELL L. GILPATRIC\n/g5/23\ncc: mr. C-73691 silpatric\nA. Long\nDeputy Secretary of Defense\na 737/3\nPrepared CWO-2 by: USA LtCol Armstrong, DIST: Orig &3 cys JCS\n1 each to other\nSecDef Cont.\n00: Secretary of the Army\nEurReg/ISA/26 May 61, X-54812,\nRm\naddees listed\n-737/4-Secretary 73714 of the Navy\nSECRET\nOSD, R&C File, R&C Reading,\nC-73715- Secretary of the Air Force\nComeback, Stayback"
}