Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume V

857.9243/12–1745

Memorandum by the Chairman of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (Dunn) to the Secretary of State

Washington, 17 December 1945.

Reference is made to your memorandum dated 27 November 1945,⁸¹ circulated as SWNCC 159/9, in which it is proposed that United States naval personnel be withdrawn from Jan Mayen Island.

This matter was referred to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for their comments from a military point of view.

It is the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that there is no military reason for the continuance of a United States military force on that island and they therefore perceive no objection to its withdrawal. They wish to point out, however, that while withdrawal can probably take place promptly if undertaken prior to March, weather and ice conditions may cause considerable delay after that time.

The Secretary of War⁸² and Secretary of the Navy⁸³ have advised the Secretariat, State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee, that they are in accord with the views of the Secretary of State and the Joint Chiefs of Staff on this subject.

For the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee:

James Clement Dunn

81. Not printed.
82. Robert P. Patterson.
83. James V. Forrestal.