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In Reply Refer to I-15504

Oct 14 1954

MEMORANDUM FOR THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

SUBJECT: Development and Training of Indigenous Forces in Indochina

1. There is attached a letter from the Secretary of State which refers to two memoranda from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dated 22 September 1954, on the subjects: "Retention and Development of Forces in Indochina" and "U.S. Assumption of Training Responsibilities in Indochina." These memoranda were made available to the Department of State by a letter from the Secretary of Defense, dated 28 September 1954.

2. In the attached letter Secretary Dulles raises two related aspects of the military situation in Indochina: force levels of indigenous forces, and U.S. training responsibilities for Vietnamese forces. He points out certain political considerations which he feels affect both these subjects.

3. In the light of the views expressed in this latest letter from the Secretary of State, it is requested that the Joint Chiefs of Staff submit their comments and recommendations wth respect to the levels of forces that should be developed in Viet-Nam, Laos and Cambodia, including their concept of the objectives of such forces from the U.S. mili t2.ry point of view and an estimate of the annual operating cost of training and maintaining such forces.

4. It is further requested that the Joint Chiefs of Staff submit their comments and recommendations concerning a U.S. commitment to train Vietnamese forces, in the light of the considerations pointed out by the Secretary of State in his letter. In view of the special emphasis placed on an urgent determination of a U.S. course of action toward the training question at a meeting of the Operations Coordinating Board on 13 October, the views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on this subject are requested as a matter of high priority.

cc: OMA

Cys 1,2,3, JCS

Cy 4 OMA

Cy 5 Green, 6 Pink OSD

Cy 7 Blue R&C Cy 8 OFMA

Cy 9 Yellow

Rh OSD TS 0467 Rh