Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Vietnam, Volume I

247. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (Wilson)¹

Washington, 19 August 1955.

SUBJECT

• Revised Force Bases for Vietnam.

1. Reference is made to:

a. ChMAAG, Indochina message MG 742 A, DTG 091330Z August 1955.²

b. CINCPAC message DTG 102223Z August 1955.³

2. This memorandum is in response to the memorandum by the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA), subject as above, dated 29 July 1955,⁴ in which he requested the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the Country Team, Indochina’s recommendation to increase the force bases for Vietnam, and, in so doing, consider and present views on six specific points.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reviewed the comments and recommendations of CINCPAC contained in the message referred to in subparagraph 1 b above concerning this matter. They consider that CINCPAC has correctly assessed the situation in South Vietnam and has adequately answered the six points raised in your memorandum. The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommend that the force bases proposed by the Country Team, Indochina, be supported through FY 1956, with a review of the force bases for FY 1957 to be made at a later date.

4. In view of the presently limited funds available for MDAP in FY 1956, the Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that approval of the foregoing recommended action should be contingent on obtaining the additional funds required for an increase to South Vietnamese forces from sources other than MDAP end-item matériel and Direct Forces Support funds.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

Arthur Radford
Chairman
Joint Chiefs of Staff

1. Source: Department of State, S/P–NSC Files: Lot 62 D 1, NSC 5519 Series. Top Secret.
2. Document 241.
3. Document 242.
4. Document 239.