Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume X, Cuba, January 1961–September 1962

253. Memorandum for the Record⁰

Washington, July 26, 1961.

SUBJ

• Mtg at White House with the President on 26 Jul 61 prior to my receiving DSM on retirement

1. The President talked about Cuba. He asked me if I thought we would have to go into Cuba. I said yes. He asked would Castro get stronger. I said yes. Castro would increase his power over his people. He asked whether we could take Cuba easily. I said yes, but it was getting more and more difficult. He asked what did I think would happen if we attacked. I said all hell would break loose but that some day we would have to do it. The danger would be that Castro would flee and go to some other country—Russia or Brazil. [3 lines of source text not declassified]

[Here follows discussion of unrelated topics.]

Arleigh Burke¹

0. Source: Naval Historical Center, Area Files, Bumpy Road Materials. Confidential. Prepared by Admiral Burke.
1. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.