Office of the Historian

72. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer) to Secretary of Defense McNamara0

CM-154-61
Washington, March 25, 1961.

SUBJECT

  • Tasks, Para-Military Plan, Cuba
1.
Recommend you approve the enclosed memorandum which sets forth the tasks to be accomplished by the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Central Intelligence Agency Representatives charged with the coordination of planning and conduct of the subject plan.1 The memorandum includes a time schedule for the completion of tasks set forth for the Pre-D-Day Phase.
2.
In accordance with your desires, Brigadier General David W. Gray, USA, Chief, Subsidiary Activities Division, J-5, the Joint Staff, has been designated the DOD Representative and has been directed to keep your office informed on the status of plans and operations.
L.L. Lemnitzer2

Enclosure

Washington, March 23, 1961.

MEMORANDUM FOR

  • Secretary of State
  • Secretary of Defense
  • Director of Central Intelligence Agency

FROM

  • Tasks, Para-Military Plan, Cuba
1.
The Working Group assigned to work out the detailed tasks for the planning and conduct of the CIA Para-Military Plan, Cuba, and act as [Page 169] members of a Central Office for the operation, has agreed upon the tasks to be accomplished by the representatives of your respective departments and agency. The tasks are set forth for three phases: Pre-D-Day Phase; D-Day and Post-D-Day Phase until Recognition; and Post-Recognition Phase.
2.
The tasks for the Pre-D-Day Phase are set forth in Enclosure A hereto.
3.
The tasks for the D-Day and Post-D-Day Phase until Recognition are set forth in Enclosure B hereto.
4.
The tasks for the Post-Recognition Phase are set forth in Enclosure C hereto.
5.
The proposed time schedule for the Pre-D-Day Phase is attached as Enclosure D hereto.
Department of State Representative
Department of Defense Representative
CIA Representative

Enclosure A

PRE-D-DAY PHASE

1.
Department of State representatives will:
a.
Prepare White Paper for Presidential approval.
b.
Provide assistance to Mr. Schlesinger in preparation of material for Presidential statements.
c.
Provide Working Group with Policy Statement as to what “recognition” really means.
d.

Determine action, if any, to be taken regarding disclosures to Latin American countries—e.g.

(1)
Guatemala
(2)
Nicaragua

and other countries, e.g.

(1)
United Kingdom
(2)
France

e.
Provide policy guidance for all aspects of the development of the Free Cuba Government.
f.
Prepare plans for overt moral and other possible non-military support prior to recognition of the Free Cuba Government of the objectives of the Cuban Volunteer Force and of the Revolutionary Council, including possible action in the United Nations or in the Organization of American States.
g.
Prepare plans for overt moral and other possible non-military support of the objectives of the Free Cuba Government when established.
h.
Provide policy guidance to USIA to support this plan.
i.
Prepare plan for Post-D-Day actions.
2.
Department of Defense representatives will:
a.
Continue to provide training and logistic support to the Cuban Volunteer Force as requested by CIA.
b.
Prepare logistics plans for arms, ammunition, and equipment support beyond the capabilities of the initial CIA logistics support.
c.
Prepare plans for provision of support from operational forces as required.
d.
Prepare letter of instruction to the Services, CINCLANT and CONAD for support of this operation.
e.
Keep CINCLANT planners informed.
3.
CIA representatives will:
a.
Establish a Central Office from which Executive Department and Agency representatives will coordinate planning and conduct operations.
b.
Continue to supply guerrilla forces in Cuba as feasible and required.
c.
Assist in the organization of a Free Cuba Government.
d.
Conduct an interrogation of two or three members of the Cuban Volunteer Force to determine full extent of their knowledge of actual facts and provide information to the President as soon as possible.
e.
Finalize detailed plans for the employment of the Volunteer Force in Cuba and follow up plans. Execute these plans on order.
f.
Continue to recruit, train and equip the Cuban Volunteer Force.
g.
Prepare detailed plans for establishing contact with the internal opposition, establishing such control, coordination and support of this opposition as may be desirable and feasible.
h.
Exert effort to arrange defection of key Cuban personnel. (N.B: The defection of the military commander of the Isle of Pines, or at least officers who could control the Isle, would be particularly desirable.)
i.
Continue detailed intelligence collection on Castro activities throughout Latin America particularly his efforts to export revolution.
j.
Support the preparation of a White Paper to be issued by the Free Cuba Government.
k.
Review cover plans.
l.
Coordinate with DOD representatives logistic follow-up support requirements.
m.
Review and implement a pre-D-Day psychological warfare plan.
n.
Review Psychological Warfare Plan for D-Day and Post-D-Day Phase.
o.
Intensify UW activities in Cuba.

Enclosure B

D-DAY AND POST-D-DAY PHASE UNTIL RECOGNITION

1.
Department of State representatives will:
a.
Take such steps as may be feasible for the protection of U.S. citizens in Cuba.
b.
Execute plans for support of the Revolutionary Council or Free Cuba Government in the United Nations or Organization of American States and to counter communist and/or Castro charges in the United Nations or Organization of American States, as appropriate.
c.
Lend support to the objectives and actions of the Cuban Volunteer Force and the Free Cuba Government.
d.
Revise plans as necessary for support of the Free Cuba Government.
e.
Recognize Free Cuba Government as appropriate.
2.
Department of Defense representatives will:
a.
Provide follow-up logistic support as requested by CIA and/or in accordance with logistics plan.
b.
Provide support from operational forces as directed.
c.
Prepare detailed plans to support the U.S. aid plan for the Free Cuba Government for implementation when overt support is given.
d.
Coordinate support by DOD agencies and commands.
3.
CIA representatives will:
a.
Execute and support over-all para-military plan.
b.
Inform DOD representatives of logistics requirements.
c.
Continue execution of psychological warfare plan.
d.
Be responsible for the continuous operation of the Central Office and present briefings of the situation as required or directed.
e.
Introduce representatives of the Revolutionary Council and of the Free Cuba Government into Cuba at an appropriate time.

Enclosure C

POST RECOGNITION PHASE

The Departments and the Agency will prepare, coordinate and execute, as appropriate, such contingency plans as may be required and will, moreover, plan for the resumption of their regularly assigned functions in relation to the new Cuban government.

Enclosure D

TIME SCHEDULE

1.
D-14
a.
Department of State Representatives:
(1)
Complete White Paper for Presidential approval.
(2)
Provide policy guidance for all aspects of the Free Cuba Government (continuous).
b.
Department of Defense Representatives:
(1)
Continue to provide training and logistic support to the Cuban Volunteer Force as requested by CIA.
c.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Establish a Central Office.
(2)
Continue to supply guerrilla forces in Cuba as feasible and required (continuous).
(3)
Assist in organization of Free Cuba Government.
(4)
Continue to train and equip the Cuban Volunteer Force.
(5)
Coordinate with DOD representatives logistic follow-up support requirements (continuous).
(6)
Intensify UW activities in Cuba.
2.
D-11
a.
Department of State Representatives:
(1)
Provide assistance to Mr. Schlesinger in preparation of material for Presidential statements (continuous).
(2)
Complete plans for overt moral and other possible non-military support of the objectives of the Free Cuba Government when established.
3.
D-10
a.
DOD Representatives:
(1)
Complete letter of instruction to the Services, CINCLANT and CONAD for support of this operation.
4.
D-9
a.
Department of State Representatives:
(1)
Provide Working Group with Policy Statement as to what “recognition” really means.
(2)
Have approved policy position regarding action, if any, to be taken regarding disclosures to foreign countries.
(3)
Complete plans for overt moral and other possible non-military support prior to recognition of the Free Cuba Government of the objectives of the Cuban Volunteer Force and of the Revolutionary Council, etc.
(4)
Complete plans for Post-D-Day actions.
b.
DOD Representatives:
(1)
Complete logistics plans for DOD follow-up support.
c.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Finalize detailed plans for the employment of the Cuban Volunteer Force.
(2)
Complete detailed plans for establishing contact with the internal opposition and for establishing such control, coordination and support of this opposition as may be desirable and feasible.
(3)
Initiate effort to arrange defection of key Cuban personnel.
(4)
Complete review and implement a pre-D-Day Psychological Warfare Plan for D-Day and post-D-Day phase.
(5)
Complete review of Psychological Warfare Plan for D-Day and post-D-Day phase.
5.
D-8
a.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Complete support of a White Paper to be issued by the Free Cuba Government and arrange to have that Government issue same.
6.
D-7
a.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Complete review of cover plans.
7.
D-6
a.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Conduct an interrogation of two or three members of the Cuban Volunteer Force to determine full extent of their knowledge of actual facts and provide information to the President as soon as possible.
8.
D-5
a.
DOD Representatives:
(1)
Brief CINCLANT and CONAD planners.
b.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Complete contingency plan for the disposition, if necessary, of the Cuban Volunteer Force.
(2)
Complete preparation of final briefing on entire operation.
9.
D-3
a.
Department of State Representatives:
(1)
Provide policy guidance to USIA to support this plan.
b.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Complete detailed intelligence collection on Castro activities throughout Latin America.
10.
D-2
a.
DOD Representatives:
(1)
Complete plans for provision of support from operational forces as required.
b.
CIA Representatives:
(1)
Present final briefing on entire operation (if not given prior to this date).
  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD (C) A Files: FRC 71 A 2896, Cuba 381 (Sensitive). Top Secret; Sensitive; Eyes Only.↩
  2. According to the Chronology of JCS Participation in Bumpy Road, maintained in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, on March 28 McNamara approved the agreed list of tasks to be accomplished by the Department of Defense, as outlined in CM-154-61. (Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials)↩
  3. Printed from a copy that indicates Lemnitzer signed the original.↩