Radford papers, Indochina papers/Geneva Conference
Memorandum by the Chief of Naval Operations (Carney)
top secret
Washington, 2 April 1954.
Memorandum For:
- Admiral Radford
- General Twining
- General Ridgway
- General Shepherd
Subject:
- U.S. Intervention in Indochina
- 1.
- At a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff this date the following
question was posed to them by the Chairman:
“If the United States government is requested by the French government to render assistance in Indochina by committing U.S. Air Force units and/or U.S. Naval Air Forces in combat, what position do the Joint Chiefs of Staff take?”
- 2.
- I recommend that the Joint Chiefs of Staff take the following
position:
- a.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff should state the current capabilities of rendering assistance by the commitment of air forces, both Navy and Air Force, in terms of units and the earliest time they can be committed.
- b.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the foregoing contribution would improve the French tactical situation, with particular reference to the current battle for Dien Bien Phu, but are not prepared to state that such contribution would be decisive.
- c.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the potential tactical advantage indicated above must be weighed against the potential consequence of this U.S. involvement in the Indochina war.
- d.
- The Joint Chiefs of Staff reaffirm their opinion as to the strategic importance of Indochina and, from the military standpoint, consider that the loss of Indochina to the Communists should be averted if possible.
Robt. B.
Carney