Department of Defense Files: Telegram
The Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway)1
top secret
eyes only
eyes only
Washington, April 28,
1951.
- 1.
- You are hereby authorized to use the United States Forces assigned to the Far East Command to conduct air reconnaissance of the enemy air bases in Manchuria and the Shantung Peninsula. Such reconnaissance should, if practicable, be made at high altitude and as surreptitiously as possible.
- 2.
- In the event of a major enemy air attack from outside Korea against United Nations forces in the Korean area, as outlined in Par 5 … [of your message], you are hereby authorized at your discretion without further reference to the JCS or higher authority, to attack enemy air bases in Manchuria and in the Shantung peninsula. The authority here granted will not be delegated, except to your successor in command should you become a casualty. However authority to attack should only be used in the event that in your judgment time and circumstances do not permit reference to the JCS.
- 3.
- The consequences of the action authorized may set in chain a course of events making it of the utmost importance to have the support of the other countries and the right to use facilities and bases controlled by them. This support may depend upon consulting or at least informing them of the action prior to its occurrence, if at all possible you should seek JCS advice before taking action and in any [Page 387] case you should inform the JCS immediately and withhold publicity until notification of allies has taken place.