Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, National Security Policy; Arms Control and Disarmament, Volume III

59. Memorandum of Conference⁰

Washington, June 9, 1959, 3 p.m.

1. Present in addition to the President were: the Vice President, Acting Secretary Dillon, Secretary McElroy, Deputy Secretary Gates, Budget Director Stans, General Lemnitzer, Admiral Burke, General White, Mr. Holaday, General Persons, Dr. Killian, Mr. Gordon Gray, General Goodpaster.

2. The following summarizes actions taken, and policy positions indicated by the President:

a. The President indicated broad approval of the following programs and planning proposals:

1. Nike—Continue on a buy-out basis; deploy at sites presently programmed plus certain additional SAC bases.

2. BOMARC—Continue BOMARC A on a buy-out basis; continue General, BOMARC Bona minimum basis for deployment on the eastern, northern and western segments of the U.S. periphery.

3. SAGE—Strengthen to “high grade” SAGE on the above periphery (cost estimated roughly at $250 million). Cut back to minimum capability SAGE in interior areas.

4. Nike–Zeus—Acceleration through an additional $150 million under consideration.

b. The above changes are being made because, beyond the point these programs will reach, additions would not be very useful; the threat from Soviet bombers has changed with the reduced estimates of numbers of bombers, and because Soviet long-range missiles are becoming the dominant threat.

c. While adoption of these changes logically tends to imply a firmer commitment to these programs beyond FY–60, it is to be understood that these programs are not frozen. Beyond FY–60, the programs should not be expressed as specific amounts for specific years, but rather as trends. Decisions on future budgetary authorizations are to be left open, and it is to be pointed out that the Administration will continue to watch developments and adjust accordingly.

d. Present action on these proposals is not to prejudice the full study of air defense now under way at the President’s request pursuant to action by Gordon Gray. Hardening, concealment, and future role of interceptors are to be included. There is question concerning the F–108; the decision is open at the present time.

e. Continental U.S. air defense forces are to be under a single, strong operational command; this unified command is to have full command authority.

f. The Canadians are to be asked (through an approach by Mr. McElroy to the Canadian Defense Minister)—without being pressured—whether they would wish to have the deployment of the northern tier of BOMARC bases moved several hundred miles north, i.e., up into Canada, so as to give them increased air defense protection against aircraft attacks from the north.

A. J. Goodpaster¹
Brigadier General, USA

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, White House Office Files, Project Clean Up. Secret. Drafted by Goodpaster. The meeting was held in the President’s office. A more extensive record of this meeting, prepared by Goodpaster on June 10, and Goodpaster’s June 9 record of Killian’s briefing of Gray and the President on air defense on June 8, are ibid., Staff Secretary Records. Both are in the Supplement.
1. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.