Office of the Historian

335. Telegram From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Headquarters, Strike Command and Headquarters, Middle East/South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara1

Washington, November 19, 1964, 1250Z.

JCS 002044. Subj: US presence in Dragon Rouge (S). In view highly sensitive nature Dragon Rouge, request that action be taken to minimize the appearance US role therein, particularly if and when operations are conducted in the Stanleyville area. Every effort should be made to ensure that US personnel avoid incidents, fire-fights, mob or riot actions and do not leave the airfield.

  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Top Secret; Noforn; Limdis. Also sent to USCINCEUR and repeated to the Department of State, where it was received at 8:27 a.m., and the White House. General Paul D. Adams served concurrently as Commander in Chief, Strike Command (CINCSTRIKE) and Commander in Chief, Middle East/South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara (CINCMEAFSA).↩