857.9243/12–1745
Memorandum by the Chairman of the State-War-Navy Coordinating Committee (Dunn) to the Secretary of State
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dated 27 November 1945,81 circulated as SWNCC 159/9, in which it is proposed that United States naval personnel be withdrawn from Jan Mayen Island.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.
[Page 108]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.