Page:Pentagon-Papers-Part-V-B-4-Book-I.djvu/366

Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3 NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011 WHITE HOUSE

TOP SECRET

Eyes Only for the President from General Taylor.

TWX - Reference: Saigon to State 537 - TOP SECRET

This message is for the purpose of presenting my reasons for recommending the introduction of a U.S. military force into South Vietnam (SVN). I have reached the conclusion that this is an essential action if we are to reverse the present downward trend of events in spite of a full recognition of the following disadvantages:

a. The strategic reserve of U.S. is presently so weak that we can ill afford any detachment of forces to a peripheral area of the Communist bloc where they will be pinned down for an uncertain duration. Rh