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

221. Memorandum From JCS to Commander in Chief, Europe¹

Washington, undated

SUBJECT

• [text not declassified]

1. [text not declassified]

2. [text not declassified]

3. [text not declassified]

4. [text not declassified] you are authorized by the President to expend nuclear weapons in the following circumstances in conformity with these instructions:

a. For the defense of U.S. forces in foreign territory and in international waters against Sino-Soviet Bloc attacking forces, subject to applicable agreements or understandings, if any, with the government exercising sovereignty over the country or countries concerned—(Special Additional Instructions in Section “A” below).

b. In the event of 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—(Special Additional Instructions in Section “B” below).

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]

[NOTE: Pages 3–6 of source text denied in full.]

[text not declassified]

Section “B”

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. [text not declassified] to applicable agreements or understandings, 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, as authenticated through prescribed procedures as approved by the President, on the United States [text not declassified].

4. OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS. [text not declassified]

1. Source: Instructions for use of nuclear weapons. Top Secret. 9 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.