172. Editorial Note
In December 1957 Frank C. Nash, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, completed a study entitled “United States Overseas Military Bases: Report to the President.” This 93-page report was undertaken in response to President Eisenhower’s letter to Nash, dated October 15, 1956, asking him “to carry out a study of and make recommendations with respect to our system of overseas military bases and operating facilities.” Eisenhower’s letter further stated that the “preservation of our overseas military bases and facilities is a vital element in deterring aggression and in the security of our country and that of our allies and friends,” and he hoped that Nash’s study would be “a wide-ranging examination of all elements of the problem of how to obtain and preserve essential overseas military facilities.” The President urged Nash “to explore anything which is relevant to this general problem” and made several suggestions, including “a case-by-case analysis of each of the local situations where we have military bases, operating rights, and facilities.”
Eisenhower’s letter to Nash is attached as Annex A to Nash’s report. Annex B, entitled “Negotiations for Base Facilities or Arrangements in Process or Prospect as of November 1, 1957,” is also attached.
Nash’s report contained a discussion of his research strategy, including questionnaires addressed to United States diplomatic and military personnel, interviews with high-ranking officials of the Departments of State and Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and four field trips covering the Caribbean (April 1957), Far East (May), Europe and North Africa (June–July), and Canada (July), the historical pattern of [Page 710] United States base development since World War II, future considerations, regional and country analyses, major common problems, operational and administrative policies, and internal United States Government organization for base matters. Interspersed at various points in the report were recommendations calling for maximum coordination between United States military and diplomatic representatives abroad as well as between all concerned agencies, especially the Departments of State and Defense, the United States Information Agency, and the intelligence community.
A separate Appendix of 191 pages, entitled “Country Studies,” dated November 1957, provided a breakdown of United States facilities in 29 foreign nations. Each of these country studies contained statistical data on major U.S. facilities and installations, total acreage used by U.S. forces, number of U.S. military and civilian personnel (including dependents), and foreign employees of U.S. forces as well as a short discussion of the mission of U.S. forces, governing agreements, local forces, general orientation, problems, and recommendations.
Regarding the origin of Nash’s appointment to perform this study, see footnote 2, Document 83. The undated draft letter from the President to Nash cited in that footnote was identical, with one very minor stylistic change, to Eisenhower’s October 15, 1956, letter to Nash, described above. A progress report on the base survey is contained in a memorandum from Nash to Secretary Dulles, dated March 22, 1957. (Eisenhower Library, White House Central Files, Confidential File) Copies of Nash’s report and the separate Appendix are in Department of State, EUR/RPM Files: Lot 64 D 444, Nash Report, and ibid.,S/S–NSC (Miscellaneous) Files: Lot 66 D 95, Overseas Bases.
Nash died suddenly on December 10, 1957. According to a letter from G. Frederick Reinhardt to William W. Walker, political adviser, SACLANT, dated May 23, 1958, prior to Nash’s untimely death “he had to all intents and purposes completed his work. His staff assembled the Report, and on December 24, his principal assistant forwarded it to the President. After reviewing this document, the President referred it to the National Security Council for consideration.” (Ibid.,EUR/RPM Files: Lot 64 D 444, Nash Report)