What did the declassified documents reveal?

Today on Declassified, we examine a Top Secret Department of the Army cable from June twelfth, nineteen-fifty-one, amending a theater strategic reconnaissance plan for China. This document, located on documents2.theblackvault.com, offers a glimpse into early Cold War intelligence gathering on the Chinese coast. This particular record was obtained by The Black Vault via a Freedom of Information Act request, case number BVA-2022-00045, and declassified on July fourteenth, two-thousand-twenty-two. It originated from the U.S. Army archives and is now part of the public domain. The document, referenced as CX 64751, is a Department of the Army, Staff Communications Office cable, marked Top Secret, from CINCFE Tokyo, Japan, to CGFEAF Tokyo, Japan, and COMNAVFE Tokyo, Japan. It was also sent as information to COMSEVENTHFLT, DEPTAR Wash D-C for JCS, C G A R M Y E I G H T (Advance) Korea, CINCPAC Pearl Harbor T H, and CINCAL Elmendorf A F B Alaska. The cable states: "Theater strategic recon plan, dated ten February nineteen-fifty, G H Q F E C is amended as follows: A. Par 3A 1F is rescinded and the following substituted therefor: 'Will provide photography recon aircraft as practicable and consistent with Korean operations, as requested by COMNAVFE, for augmenting U.S. Seventh Fleet flights over coastal areas of China South of the thirty-second degree parallel of latitude and North of Hong Kong.' B. Par 3A 2C is rescinded and the following substituted therefor: 'Will conduct such periodic flights over the coastal areas of China South of the thirty-second degree parallel of latitude and North of Hong Kong as is considered necessary to determine the imminence of any enemy attack that may be launched against Formosa.'" The original archival entry for this document notes that it pertains to "US Intelligence on China." The modifications outlined in the cable demonstrate a shift in U.S. strategic reconnaissance priorities and methods concerning the Chinese mainland during the Korean War, specifically focusing on potential threats to Formosa. This is what the public record looks like at its most ordinary. Explore more at storyflo.com and documents2.theblackvault.com/CI00753djvu.txt.

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.

Today On Declassified, We Examine A Top Secret Department Of The Army

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Today on Declassified, we examine a Top Secret Department of the Army cable from June twelfth, nineteen-fifty-one, amending a theater strategic reconnaissance plan for China. com, offers a glimpse into early Cold War intelligence gathering on the Chinese coast.

Date: OCT 19 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Today on Declassified, we examine a Top Secret Department of the Army cable from June twelfth, nineteen-fifty-one, amending a theater strategic reconnaissance plan for China. This document, located on documents2.theblackvault.com, offers a glimpse into early Cold War intelligence gathering on the…

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What was Today On Declassified, We Examine A Top Secret Department Of The Army about?: Today on Declassified, we examine a Top Secret Department of the Army cable from June twelfth, nineteen-fifty-one, amending a theater strategic reconnaissance plan for China. com, offers a glimpse into early Cold War intelligence gathering on the Chinese coast.
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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Today On Declassified, We Examine A Top Secret Department Of The Army

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