Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 2

Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file

Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the President

top secret

Washington, November 17, 1954.

Subject:

• General Collins’ Recommendations Regarding Military Force Levels in Viet-Nam

General Collins has submitted a report¹ and his recommendations regarding force levels in Viet-Nam. A breakdown of the proposed forces as recommended is attached as Tab A.

In summary, the main points of his report are as follows:

1. It would be disastrous if the French Expeditionary Corps were withdrawn prematurely since otherwise Viet-Nam could be overrun by an enemy attack before the Manila Pact Powers could act.

2. The United States should continue to subsidize the French Expeditionary Corps during calendar year 1955, at least to the degree of one hundred million dollars, to encourage the French to retain sufficient forces. (The current rate of U.S. subsidy is four hundred million annually.)

3. The Vietnamese National Army, now totaling 170,000 should be reduced by July 1955 to 77,000. It should be placed under Vietnamese command and control by that date. It would be organized into six divisions, three of which would be field elements designed to reinforce the balance of the Army which would be stationed in regimental and battalion garrisons throughout the provinces. A small Air Force and Navy is provided for. The cost to the U.S. would be two hundred million dollars annually. (This is less than current costs.)

4. The United States should assume training responsibility for the Viet-Nam National Army by January 1, 1955 with French cooperation and utilizing French trainers.

5. General Ely, the French Commander, is agreeable to a slow buildup of our MAAG for training purposes.

John Foster Dulles

[Tab A]

Recommended Force Levels in Viet-Nam as of July 1955

A. Army

1) Three Territorial divisional headquarters of 880 [800] men each. Total 2,400 men.

2) Thirteen security regimented headquarters of 200 men each. Total 2,600 men.

3) Thirty nine security battalions of 500 men each. Total 19,500.

4) Three field divisions of 8,450 each. Total 25,350.

5) Totals:

(a) Military—77,685.

(b) Civilian—4,000.

6) Estimated costs:—$172,580,000.

B. Navy

1) Totals:

(a) Military—3,000.

(b) Civilian—250.

2) Estimated cost FY 1956:—$10,039,000.

C. Air Force

1) Two light squadrons; one transport squadron—2,000 men.

2) Totals:

(a) Military—3,000.

(b) Civilian—150.

3) Estimated cost FY 1956:—$10,529,000. (During second year would add one fighter squadron and one transport squadron.)

D. Armed Forces Totals

(a) Military—83,685.

(b) Civilian—4,400.

(c) Estimated Total Annual Cost:—$193,148,000.

E. MAAG

(a) Estimated cost operations including salaries 150 U.S. civilians $8,500,000.

F. Total estimated cost FY 1956:—$201,648,000.

G. Estimated cost U.S. support remainder FY 1955:—$100,000,000.

1. See telegram 1830 from Saigon, Nov. 15, p. 2250.