795.00/11–450
The Deputy Secretary of Defense (Lovett) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to your conversation, on or about 13 October, with the Secretary of the Air Force regarding the desirability of establishing a more explicit delimitation of air operations in the vicinity of the North Korean border, in order to ensure against a repetition of border incidents.1 The considerations which you presented have been conveyed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff with the request that they review the matter in an attempt to determine (a) the necessity for U.S. air and naval unit operations within a fixed distance from the Manchurian and Soviet borders; (b) whether there are adequate military reasons for conducting such operations in the area in the present circumstances and (c) whether the Joint Chiefs of Staff should not send an amplifying message to General MacArthur in the light of the political considerations as well as the changed military situation.
The Department of Defense has given full consideration to the above questions and holds the following views thereon:
- (a)
- The need for air interdiction operations in areas contiguous to the international boundaries of Korea is sufficient justification for not further delimiting air operations.
- (b)
- Further, in light of information currently available it appears that U.N. ground force (including U.S.) operations will be required up to the international boundaries of Korea. Therefore, it is not considered desirable, from the military point of view, to deny these ground troops air and naval support in these areas; nor would acceptance of the loss of life entailed by such denial be justified.
- (c)
- Moreover, there will be a continuing requirement for aerial as well as ground reconnaissance in areas contiguous to the borders for an indefinite period.
- (d)
- In the light of various directives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and recent events, it is felt that General MacArthur and his subordinate commanders are fully aware of the necessity for avoiding any violations of Manchurian and Soviet territory. It would appear that a further directive on this subject is unnecessary at the present time.
Faithfully yours,