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20 May 1954

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE


 * Subject: U.S. Military Participation in Indochina

1. In recent discussions between the French and the Department of State relating to U.S. military intervention in Indochina, the U.S. Government specified certain conditions which would have to obtain if U.S. military intervention were to be undertaken. Among these conditions were:


 * . That France would undertake not to withdraw its forces from Indochina during period of united action so that forces from U.S. principally air and sea and others would be supplementary and not in substitution;


 * . That agreement would have to be reached on training of native troops and on command structure for united action.

2. On the assumption that United States armed forces intervene in the conflict in Indochina, the Joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed that a Department of Defense position should be formulated as to the size and composition of U.S. force contributions to be made and the command structure to be established. In formulating these views the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been guided by several factors, among which are:


 * . The limited availability of U.S. forces foe military action in Indochina.


 * . The current numerical advantage of the French Union forces over the enemy, i.e., approximately 5 to 3.


 * . The undesirability of basing large number of U.S. forces in Indochina.


 * . The primary need of an expanded and intensified training program as being the current greatest need.

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