8. Editorial Note
On January 28, 1964, Soviet aircraft intercepted and shot down a U.S. T–39 trainer aircraft that had strayed into East German airspace. Three U.S. servicemen were killed in the attack. For text of the Soviet note protesting the U.S. incursion, January 29, and the U.S. response condemning Soviet use of force, see American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1964, pages 526–527. Secretary of Defense McNamara briefed President Johnson about the incident in a 4-minute telephone conversation beginning at 12 p.m. on January 28. (Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Conversation Between President Johnson and Secretary McNamara, January 28, 1964, 12 p.m., Tape 64.08, Side A, PNO 6)