What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we present a declassified May fifth, nineteen-fifty, Department of Defense memorandum from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, regarding military aid to anti-communist forces on Formosa. This document is archived at The Black Vault. This record was released through a Freedom of Information Act request. The original document is a four-page memorandum, declassified without a specific FOIA case number. The declassification authority is not cited within the document. The document begins: THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, WASHINGTON, D.C. May fifth, nineteen-fifty. MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Subject: Military Aid to Anti-Communist Forces on Formosa. For your information, excerpts of a letter recently received by Admiral Sherman from Admiral Charles H. U. Cooke, U.S. Navy, Retired, are forwarded herewith. As you may recall, Admiral Cooke was for over two years prior to his retirement, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in the Western Pacific and Commander Seventh Fleet. For the past few months, he has been at Taipeh, Formosa, as a representative of the International News Service. Copy for: General Bradley Assistant C/S, J-three Director, P and A Director, J-five (Relate to JCS one nine six six / two seven) Admiral Cooke's letter reads: I am just completing a week's visit in Tokyo, where I had been in conference with General MacArthur and had during the months preceding my coming out, seen the many confusing and conflicting reports about the imminent fall of Taiwan, reports with which I did not agree, and which I found to be completely unfounded after my arrival. In fact, practically all of the Americans out in Taiwan, except some of the State Department people, knew and still know that Washington was being fed with incorrect reports. A Russian controlled air organization has been moving in since January. Russian ground crews are being used to some extent. Both Russian and Japanese fighters are being supplied. Russian manned anti-aircraft artilleries and radar are being used. No identification of the nationality of pilots has been definite, but there is conviction in the mind of observers that both Russian and Japanese pilots are being used. So far, none of the Red planes have flown over Nationalist controlled territory. I assume the reason for this to be that: One: They are not completely ready. Two: They do not perceive the risk of premature identification of the planes. The strength of the air potential of the Chinese communists is on a rapidly rising curve. That available to the Nationalists is on a descending curve. Normal attrition of the old planes will carry them down rapidly during the twelve months to a low point. Combat attrition will, of course, accelerate the rate of this descent. Prospectively, the two curves will cross in the summer or fall. After they cross, Nationalist superiority on the sea will, of course, become seriously jeopardized. These eventualities can be headed off easily if…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Case File · ARCHIVE-004Declassified

Filed NOV 10 · 2026Runtime 1 min

Navy: Today, We Present A Declassified May Fifth, Nineteen Fifty, Department

U.S. public record · FOIAUpdated November 10, 2026

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◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, we present a declassified May fifth, nineteen-fifty, Department of Defense memorandum from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, regarding military aid to anti-communist forces on Formosa. This document is archived at The Black Vault.

Date: NOV 10 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Navy: Today, We Present A Declassified May Fifth, Nineteen Fifty, Department about?: This is Declassified. Today, we present a declassified May fifth, nineteen-fifty, Department of Defense memorandum from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, regarding military aid to anti-communist forces on Formosa. This document is archived at The Black Vault.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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