Foreign Relations of the United States, 1949, The Far East and Australasia, Volume VII, Part 2

895.248/12–749

Memorandum of Conversation, by Mr. John Z. Williams of the Division of Northeast Asian Affairs

secret

[Washington,] December 7, 1949.

Participants:	Brigadier General Russell E. Randall, Air Force, Retired.
	W. Walton Butterworth, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs.
	John Z. Williams, Bureau of Northeast Asian Affairs.

Brigadier General Russell E. Randall, U.S. Air Force, Retired, who returned on November 26 after a brief visit to Korea at the invitation of President Rhee, called at his request and touched upon the following points:

1. During his recent visit here, General Chennault¹ asked General Randall if he would be interested in becoming an “air advisor for the Korean Government”. General Chennault had been offered this position, but because of the pressure of his present interests in China, he did not feel he could assume such a position and had recommended General Randall as his alternate. General Randall stated that he had made the trip to Korea without undertaking a commitment beyond rendering “advice” to President Rhee upon the immediate problem of establishing a Korean Air Force. He indicated that his future interest would depend upon developments in this connection that might be approved and financed by the United States, or adopted by the Korean Government with the sanction of the United States. In any case, he intended to maintain his first loyalty to the United States.

2. In response to Mr. Butterworth’s question, General Randall indicated that although General Chennault may not feel it to his advantage to accept a position with the Korean Government at this time, his interest in Korea doubtless lay in the location of that country as a possible refuge and base of operations should his airline and other interests in China deteriorate.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4. General Randall reviewed the recommendations he has made relating to the establishment of a Korean Air Force. These have been the subject of recent telegrams from the Embassy at Seoul.

5. Following the discussion with Mr. Butterworth, General Randall indicated to Mr. Williams that during the course of the conversation he was afraid he had not stressed sufficiently President Rhee’s reiterated statements to General Randall asserting that the Government of the Republic of Korea would not embark upon offensive action in north Korea without the approval of the United States Government.

1. Claire Lee Chennault, President of Civil Air Transport.