Office of the Historian

37. Memorandum From Lay to the NSC1

Washington, March 26, 1958
[Facsimile Page 1]

SUBJECT

  • Measures to Carry Out the Concept of Shelter

REFERENCE

  • NSC 5807

The enclosed views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the reference report (NSC 5807) are transmitted herewith for the information of the National Security Council, in connection with its consideration of the subject at its meeting on Thursday, March 27, 1958.

James S. Lay, Jr.
Executive Secretary

cc: The Secretary of the Treasury

The Attorney General

The Director, Bureau of the Budget

The Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission

The Federal Civil Defense Administrator

The Chairman, Council of Economic Advisers

The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

The Director of Central Intelligence

The Special Assistant to the President for Public Works Planning

Enclosure

Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to McElroy

Washington, March 25, 1958
[Facsimile Page 2]

SUBJECT

  • Measures to Carry Out the Concept of Shelter (NSC 5807) (C).
1.
Reference is made to Armed Forces Policy Council Advice of Action, dated 29 January 1958, subject “DOD Comment on Certain Gaither Items”, and to the report, NSC 5807, prepared by the Interdepartmental Committee which was established by NSC Action No. 1842–e.
2.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have reviewed the nationwide fallout shelter program as acted upon by the National Security Council at its meeting of 16 January 1958 and the report, NSC 5807, of the Interdepartmental Committee established to propose measures to carry out the concept of shelter. As a result of this review, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reaffirm their comments with respect to Item III–B–3 of the Security Panel Report, as contained in their memorandum for you, dated 4 December 1957.
3.
With respect to a military fallout shelter program, the current J.C.S. Policy for Protective Construction provides adequate guidance for use of available funds.
4.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that the programs proposed by the Interdepartmental Committee of research, education, and construction of prototype shelters are desirable measures for carrying out the new national shelter policy. However, the following specific comments are offered for consideration:
a.
As proposed by the Committee the general programs of research, education and construction of prototype shelters are considered desirable measures for carrying out the new national concept of fallout shelters. However, it appears that with the extensive knowledge already available on weapons’ effects and shelter design that decreased support should be given to this phase with increased emphasis on actual construction of prototype [Facsimile Page 3] shelter. Further, that this preliminary testing-educational program, if accelerated, would be more responsive to that period which the Security Resources Panel of the ODM Science Advisory Committee considered the critical period, namely, the next two years.
b.
Although it may be desirable to construct shelter in military facilities in such a manner as to provide effective examples to the general public, first level of importance should be given to military operational needs.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

N.F. Twining,
Chairman,
Joint Chiefs of Staff.
  1. Source: Transmits JCS views on NSC 5807. Top Secret. 3 pp. NARA, RG 59, S/S–NSC Files: Lot 63 D 351, NSC 5807 Series.↩