Eisenhower Library, Eisenhower papers, Whitman file
Memorandum by the President to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson) and the Director, Foreign Operations Administration (Stassen)
As I understand it, it is now agreed that you two (keeping the Secretary of State constantly informed) will see that some individual is charged with the responsibility for the Washington end of our efforts to rehabilitate South Korea. Likewise, you will make arrangements at the Korean end so that this work can progress rapidly and efficiently.
Because it appears that a memorandum I wrote last July to express some thoughts of mine along this line was probably lost, I am attaching hereto a copy.1 As of today it is, of course, not completely applicable, but it does show you that I consider the Korean situation to give us an opportunity even greater than is the responsibility involved.
I realize that in Korea the Army’s preoccupation has been in preparation of a defense line in the rear of the neutral zone. Now, however, this work should be well along and certainly there should be available technical personnel whose enthusiastic cooperation can make every appropriated dollar do the work of ten.
I shall be glad to talk with either or both of you at any time about this problem.