Office of the Historian

209. Memorandum to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Cutler)1

Washington, March 29, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • New Equipment for U.S. Forces in Korea
1.
In response to your letter of March 16, 19572 we attach a list of proposed new equipment for U.S. Forces in Korea.
2.
The Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff believe that, in consonance with U.S. policy to provide U.S. Forces with a selective and flexible [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] capability, all items on the attached list should now be approved for the modernization of U.S. Forces in Korea. [2-1/2 lines of source text not declassified]
3.
The Department of State believes that under a liberal interpretation of Article 13(d) of the Armistice Agreement we may replace obsolete and worn-out equipment with new items “as close in effectiveness and type as consistent with modern standards of production”. [2-1/2 lines of source text not declassified] Accordingly, the Department has been willing to approve all items on the attached list except two: the 280 mm “Atomic Cannon” and the 762 mm “Honest John” atomic rocket.
Robert R. Bowie
3
Assistant Secretary of State
Mansfield D. Sprague

Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA)
F.W. Farrell

Lt. General, USA
Special Assistant to the JCS for NSC Affairs
[Page 416]

[Attachment]

LIST OF NEW EQUIPMENT FOR U.S. FORCES IN KOREA4

Air Force

  • All-weather fighters (F–86Ds) (F–102)
  • Tactical Bombers (B–57) (Jet)
  • Reconnaissance (RF 64F)
  • Jet Fighters F–100
  • Cargo Aircraft C–130

Army

  • 280 mm gun
  • 155 mm gun (Self-propelled) (M–53)
  • 75 mm AA gun (Skysweeper with tractors) (May be deleted on the basis of obsolescence and possible replacement by other wpns at a date not yet determined.)
  • Twin 40 mm (M–42) (Antiaircraft)
  • Armored Personnel Carrier M–59
  • 762 mm rocket (Honest John)
  • Nike–1
  • Recoilless Rifle, 106 mm (M–40)
  • Tractor M8A1
  • Helicopters H–21
  1. Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 62 D 1, Korea, US Policy Toward (NSC 5702, 5702/1, 5702/2). Secret. Drafted by Leonhart of S/P.↩
  2. Reference is to Document 206.↩
  3. Printed from a copy that bears these typed signatures.↩
  4. Secret.↩