Radford papers, Indochina papers/Geneva Conference
Memorandum by the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (Shepherd)
top secret
Washington, 2 April 1954.
Memorandum For:
- Admiral Radford
- General Twining
- General Ridgway
- Admiral Carney
- 1.
- Upon consideration I have reached the conclusion that air intervention in the current fighting in Indo China would be an unprofitable adventure. If I could convince myself that such intervention—on any scale now available to us—would turn the tide of military victory in favor of the French I would hold an entirely different opinion despite the hazards and uncertainties attending such a course. But I feel that we can expect no significant military results from an improvised air offensive against the guerilla forces. They simply do not offer us a target which our air will find remunerative—they are nowhere exposed at a vital point critical to their continued resupply and communications. The initial morale effect of our appearance would therefore soon give way to a feeling of disappointment as it became evident that our efforts were without important effect on the fortunes of the soldier on the ground.
- 2.
The essentials of the problem appear to be these:
- a.
- Can we, by overt military action in the air, contribute significantly to a French victory in Indo China?
- b.
- Would such direct intervention on our part at this time serve as a deterrent to Communism elsewhere?
I believe that a negative answer is indicated in both cases.
- 3.
- It follows that action by our air forces in Indo China, if initiated today, would be taken in the face of impending disaster and holds no significant promise of success. For us to participate in a defeat cannot be accounted as a means either of combatting Communism effectively, or of enhancing our position in the eyes of the Asiatics.
- 4.
- The inevitable result would be the necessity of either admitting a fresh military failure on our part or intervening further with ground forces in an effort to recoup our fortunes. We can ill afford the first. I do not believe the other is a matter which we should even consider under present circumstances.
- 5.
- It is with regret that I record conclusions which run so counter to my natural instincts to support our friends in their efforts to halt the Communist advance.
Lemuel C. Shepherd,
Jr.
General, U.S. Marine Corps