Office of the Historian

89. Telegram From the Chief of Naval Operations (Burke) to the Commander in Chief, United States Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (Holloway)1

Washington, June 17, 1958—12:45 a.m.

170545Z. Lebanon situation deteriorating. State has received dispatch2 from American Ambassador Beirut request from Chamoun for assistance.

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Keep 2 DD within 25 miles but over horizon and out of sight from Beirut. These 2 DD be prepared enter Beirut harbor and land small landing force to evacuate American citizens or furnish assistance when requested by American Ambassador by radio direct to destroyers.

Beirut dispatch and State’s reply on the way.

Burke
  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 62 A 1698, 092 Lebanon TS Sensitive. Top Secret; Emergency. Drafted by Burke. Also sent to COMSIXFLT, COMDESRON 36. Repeated to Alusna Beirut, U.S.S. Rich, and U.S.S. New.↩
  2. Supra.↩