S/S Files: NSC 48 Series
Memorandum by the Secretary of Defense (Marshall) to the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Lay)
Subject: United States Courses of Action in Korea
There have been recent consultations between the State and Defense Departments with respect to the courses of action which should be followed in the event that the current armistice negotiations in Korea fail. With one exception, these proposed courses of action appear to fall within the scope of existing National Security Council policies, as set forth in NSC 48/5.
The exception in question is set forth in the following course of action which has been recommended to me by the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
“Extend the area for pursuit and the air-to-air action in air engagements initiated over Korea by disregarding the border between [Page 882] Korea and Manchuria (loosely termed ‘hot pursuit’), such pursuit to include destruction of enemy planes after landing, and neutralization of opposing antiaircraft fire;”
The foregoing proposed course of action is submitted for the early consideration of the NSC.1
- On September 5, this document was circulated by the Acting Executive Secretary (Gleason) for the consideration of the National Security Council, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of Defense Mobilization.↩