Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Berlin Crisis, 1959–1960; Germany; Austria, Volume IX

103. Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense Gates⁰

JCSM–123–60

March 25, 1960.

SUBJECT

• Reduction of Berlin Garrison (S)

1. Reference is made to a memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (ISA), subject as above, dated 15 March 1960, requesting that the Joint Chiefs of Staff re-examine their views and recommendations contained in JCSM–264–59 of 8 July 1959, in order to provide the Department of Defense with guidance regarding the required size of the allied garrison in Berlin.¹

2. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have re-examined their memorandum to you of 8 July 1959 on this matter, and have concluded that the opinions and recommendations set forth therein remain valid.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff perceive no fundamental change in the threat to the freedom and safety of Berlin. Recent developments, including statements of Mr. Khrushchev, do not indicate any modification to the long-term objectives of the Soviet Union with respect to Germany and Berlin, nor do they foreshadow any lessening of Communistic control in East Germany. Under such circumstances any reduction in the size of the Berlin garrison would symbolize a decrease in the interest of the Western powers in Berlin, which would lead inevitably to an erosion of their already insecure position. Therefore, the current size of the U.S. Berlin garrison represents a minimum balance of force to maintain our objectives there.

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

Arleigh Burke²
Chief of Naval Operations

0. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2170, 320.2 Berlin. Top Secret.
1. A copy of the ISA memorandum is ibid. For JCSM–264–59, see vol. VIII, Document 428.
2. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.