41. Editorial Note
On August 18, 1961, the Joint Chiefs of Staff sent to Secretary of Defense McNamara their divergent views on the guidance for the preparation of SIOP-63. The principal divergence was over [text not declassified] for the use of strategic nuclear weapons. Generals Anderson, Decker, and Shoup all set forth a [text not declassified].
The Chiefs agreed on recommendations for increasing flexibility by providing for the possible withholding of attacks against Communist China and the satellites and/or governmental control centers in any Communist country. General Lemnitzer endorsed the views of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, stating that [text not declassified]. (Memoranda from Lemnitzer to McNamara, August 18, with attachments including draft guidance for the preparation of SIOP-63; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 218, JCS Records, JMF 3105 (8 Mar 61) (3) Sec 1)
On August 25, Secretary McNamara replied in a memorandum to Lemnitzer that in general he concurred with Lemnitzer’s recommendations. However, he [text not declassified]. (JCS 2056/278, August 25, with attachments; ibid.) On October 16, McNamara submitted to the Joint Chiefs a redraft of the suggested guidance prepared primarily by Dr. Alain Enthoven, Deputy Comptroller of the Department of Defense. (JCS 2056/284, October 16, with attached draft guidance; ibid.) After further discussion between McNamara and the JCS on October 23, the JCS issued the final guidance on October 27; see Document 52.