Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Volume III, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Microfiche Supplement

220. Memorandum From JCS to Commander in Chief, Atlantic¹

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• Instructions for Expenditure of Nuclear Weapons in [text not declassified] (S)

1. The President has authorized certain [text not declassified] to expend nuclear weapons in defense of the United States, its Territories, possessions and forces when the urgency of time and circumstances clearly does not permit a [text not declassified].

2. [text not declassified]

3. You have been designated by the President as [text not declassified] in the Enclosure hereto.

4. In regard to the air defense of the United States, its Territories and possessions, the instructions contained herein do not change the authority [text not declassified] pursuant to the “Authorization for the Expenditure of Atomic Weapons in Air Defense” approved by the President 19 April 1956 and the “Policy Statement on Interception and Engagement of Hostile Aircraft” approved 24 September 1952. This authority was implemented ii accordance with the revised “Interception and Engagement Instructions and Procedures”, dated 7 December 1956.

[NOTE: Pge 2 of source text denied in full.]

3. OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS. Because of the serious international implications of the use of nuclear weapons by U.S. military forces, it is essential that particularly strict command control and supervision be exercised, and that the use of nuclear weapons be limited to circumstances of grave necessity. [text not declassified] In the expenditure of nuclear weapons pursuant to these instructions, the following limitations will be observed.

a. You may expend nuclear weapons [text not declassified].

b. Under this authorization, you may not expend nuclear weapons for [text not declassified].

c. Any expenditure of nuclear weapons pursuant to these instructions [text not declassified].

[NOTE: Pages 4–8 of source text denied in full.]

[text not declassified] by all means available to determine if an attack has in fact occurred. In this connection advance action will be taken to identify all possible means of establishing such communications to include means both in [text not declassified] and to be prepared to use these means when necessary. Only when you have established by the procedures outlined above that communications are impossible, may you assume that an attack has occurred on the United States.

b. You will bear in mind that the above delegation of authority to expend nuclear weapons is an emergency measure necessitated by recognition of the fact that communications may be disrupted by the attack. It is mandatory to insure that such [text not declassified].

Section “C”

Special Additional Instructions Regarding Retaliation in the Event of a Nuclear Attack Upon the United States

1. PURPOSE: These special instructions provide additional guidance applicable to the expenditure of nuclear weapons in the event of a nuclear attack upon the United States in retaliation against the enemy identified as responsible for the attack, subject, in the case of retaliation from friendly foreign territory, to applicable agreements or understandings, if any, with the government exercising sovereignty over the country or countries concerned.

2. POLICY. In the event of a nuclear attack upon the United States, it is assumed that the President would have approximately the same information as the Department of Defense regarding the strength and character of the attack and the identity of the nation launching it. Retaliation for such attack, therefore, will be on [text not declassified]. In such circumstances, [text not declassified] if any, with the government exercising sovereignty over the country or countries concerned.

3. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROCEDURE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

a. [text not declassified]

b. In the event that a nuclear attack has in fact occurred on the United States as authenticated by the procedure of paragraph 4. a (2), Section “B”, of these instructions, [text not declassified].

(1) Comply with applicable international agreements or understandings, if any, in expending nuclear weapons for retaliatory purposes from friendly foreign territory.

(2) Alert your manned retaliatory forces to the fact that they may be recalled prior to their arrival in the target area.

4. OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS. The delegation of authority to expend nuclear weapons for [text not declassified].

1. Source: Instructions for use of nuclear weapons. Top Secret. 11 pp. Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Records of the Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, NSC Series, Atomic Weapons, Corr. And Background for Presidential Approval.