</s>178-10004-10056 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK Assassination System Date: 8/27/201 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: ROCKCOM RECORD NUMBER: 178-100044-1056 AGENCY : ROCKCOM RECORDS NUMBER : 178-10044-10055 RECORD SERIES : ASSASSINATIONS FILES AGENCY FILE NUMBER :: MISC. ROCKEFELLER.COM. AND CIA FILES (9) AGENCY FILENUMBER : MISC. ROCKEELLER COM. AND CIA FILES(9) Document Information ORIGINATOR: CIA FROM: CIA TO: DIRECTOR, CIA TITLE: (Restricted) DATE: 11/14/1962 PAGES: 33 SUBJECTS: CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS CUBA CIA ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES DOCUMENT TYPE: MEMORANDUM CLASSIFICATION: Top Secret RESTRICTIONS: IBJ: IC CURRENT STATUS: Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 08/04/1993 DATE of LAST REVEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : 39

Summary  
This document provides a detailed account of U.S. intelligence operations and strategic considerations during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. It outlines the Soviet Union’s covert military buildup in Cuba, including the deployment of medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), tanks, and aircraft such as the MIG-21. The CIA conducted reconnaissance missions using U-2 aircraft to confirm the presence of Soviet missile sites, which led to critical intelligence assessments and informed U.S. policy decisions. Key documents reference National Security Action Memorandum 181 (NSAM 181), which authorized a coordinated response to the crisis, including military planning and diplomatic negotiations. The text also highlights internal U.S. government deliberations involving senior officials, interagency coordination challenges, and the strategic implications of Soviet military presence in Cuba.  

Key People  
- **President John F. Kennedy**: Central figure in White House decision-making during the crisis.  
- **Director of Central Intelligence (DCI)**: Oversaw CIA operations and intelligence reporting.  
- **Secretary of State Dean Rusk**: Participated in policy discussions on U.S. responses to Soviet actions.  
- **Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara**: Engaged in strategic planning for military and diplomatic options.  
- **General Lyman Lemnitzer**: Involved in military coordination with CIA and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).  
- **Special Group (SG)**: High-level interagency body coordinating crisis response efforts.  
- **McGeorge Bundy**: Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, key participant in White House deliberations.  

Key Locations  
- **Cuba**: Central to Soviet military deployments, including sites such as San Cristobal, Guanajay, and Banes.  
- **Havana**: Primary destination for Soviet shipments and a focal point for U.S. intelligence monitoring.  
- **Mariel**: Port of entry for Soviet military equipment.  
- **Bay of Pigs**: Mentioned in the context of CIA operations and potential military actions.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: Location of White House meetings and NSC deliberations.  

Key Events  
- **Soviet Military Buildup in Cuba**: Deployment of MRBM/IRBM sites between July and October 1962, including construction at San Cristobal.  
- **U-2 Reconnaissance Missions**: Critical for confirming Soviet missile installations and informing U.S. strategy.  
- **NSAM 181 Implementation**: Authorized intelligence assessments, military planning, and diplomatic actions against Soviet activities in Cuba.  
- **White House Meetings**: Discussions among senior officials (Rusk, McNamara, Bundy) on potential responses to the crisis.  
- **Intelligence Coordination Challenges**: Disagreements between CIA and DIA over interpreting Soviet shipping patterns and photographic evidence.  

Key Organizations  
- **Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)**: Led intelligence gathering, analysis, and reconnaissance operations.  
- **Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)**: Provided military assessments and coordination with CIA.  
- **National Security Council (NSC)**: Oversaw strategic decisions and policy formulation during the crisis.  
- **Special Group (SG)**: Directed interagency coordination and crisis response efforts.  
- **Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)**: Involved in military planning and operational considerations.  
- **National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)**: Supported U-2 reconnaissance missions and intelligence collection.

JFK Declassified Files

178-10004-10056.pdf

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