Office of the Historian

122. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Stump) to the Naval Attaché in the Republic of China (Kilmartin)1

Honolulu, February 19, 1955—6:18 p.m.

200418Z. For Amb Rankin info Gen Chase and Adm Carney from Stump. Your Taipei 571 Feb 19 SecState 191844Z.2 SeventhFlt is now disposed for rapid movement to positions for defense of Formosa. US Air Force jet combat sqdrns are also so disposed and can rapidly move into Formosa ready for action. Last movement in connection with Tachen tested satisfactorily that capability.

It is the intention from now on to rotate US Air Force jet combat sqds into Formosa for training but ready and capable of reinforcement for any ops in case of emergency. Every effort should be made by ChiNats to strengthen and hold Matsu and Kinmen.

Question of Nan Chi Shan has been referred to higher authority.

  1. Source: JCS Records, CCS 381 Formosa (11–8–48) Sec. 19. Top Secret. Repeated to the Chief of Naval Operations and Chief, MAAG Formosa for information. A copy, apparently given to Dulles by Stump, bears the notation that it was seen by the Secretary. (Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 60 D 627, CF 426)↩
  2. The reference telegram, directed to Admiral Stump and sent to the Department of State for information, expressed Rankin’s unhappiness at the “seemingly hasty” withdrawal of the USAF fighter bomber wing from Formosa after the completion of the Tachen evacuation and inquired, “how much effort do we want them to make defending Nanchi, etcetera? I should like to be in position to explain this forcefully to President Chiang, who undoubtedly will decide personally how much of a fight his forces will make.” (Ibid., Central Files, 793.5/2–1955)↩