What did the declassified documents reveal?

Declassified presents a memorandum from the United States Air Force titled "The Feasible Employment of Atomic Weapons in Connection with Korea." This document, dated June eighth, nineteen-fifty-three, details a top-secret plan for the potential use of atomic weapons during the Korean War. This record is available at archive.org. This document was released by the United States Air Force. It is a declassified memorandum, part of a larger collection of intelligence records concerning China, originally marked Top Secret. No specific Freedom of Information Act case number is available, but the document was declassified by the Air Force's historical programs branch. The document begins: Subject: The Feasible Employment of Atomic Weapons in Connection with Korea. One. On twenty-seventh March, nineteen-fifty-three, the Joint Chiefs of Staff forwarded to the Secretary of Defense the possible military course of action which might be undertaken in connection with the situation in Korea. It is deemed essential that a contingency plan be developed at this time. Therefore, the Director of Operations is assigned responsibility for the development and modification as necessary of an operation plan for the utilization of atomic-capable forces in the Far East. The Director of Intelligence, in coordination with the Director of Operations, is responsible for development of the intelligence annex. This study is to be completed as a matter of priority. After discussion with the Air Staff and Joint Chiefs of Staff, the completed study with target annex is to be forwarded to the Air Staff. Two. The plan should include: A. Forces involved. B. Logistics annex. C. Air defense annex. D. Atomic weapon planning and targeting plan. E. The extent to which Air Force ability to deploy the Joint Strategic Objectives Plan and General War Plan would be affected should also be documented. Assumptions. The following general and specific assumptions will be made: A. The target area will be limited generally to North China and Korea. B. The use of the required number of atomic weapons will be authorized. C. The final examination of the plan may be revised at any time on short notice. D. The plan will be developed for implementation as an independent, unilateral action. E. Adverse effects on the Joint Strategic Objectives Plan and the General War Plan will be held to a minimum consistent with the successful accomplishment of the mission. In event of a general emergency, implementation of the Joint Strategic Objectives Plan will take priority over the implementation of this plan. F. The conventional bomb effort will be limited to the capabilities of forces currently in the Far East. G. Targets in the U-S-S-R leased territory of the Kwantung Peninsula will be listed and analyzed as to the effect on the plan whether they are excluded or included. H. The following assumptions will be used in the preparation of this plan: Assumptions. One. The course of action which the plan will support is…

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.

The Feasible Employment Of Atomic Weapons In Connection With Korea.

◆ BLUF — The short version

" This document, dated June eighth, nineteen-fifty-three, details a top-secret plan for the potential use of atomic weapons during the Korean War. org. This document was released by the United States Air Force. It is a declassified memorandum, part of a larger collection of intelligence records concerning China, originally marked Top Secret.

Date: OCT 5 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Declassified presents a memorandum from the United States Air Force titled "The Feasible Employment of Atomic Weapons in Connection with Korea." This document, dated June eighth, nineteen-fifty-three, details a top-secret plan for the potential use of atomic weapons during the Korean War. This…

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Questions about this case

What was The Feasible Employment Of Atomic Weapons In Connection With Korea. about?: " This document, dated June eighth, nineteen-fifty-three, details a top-secret plan for the potential use of atomic weapons during the Korean War. org. This document was released by the United States Air Force. It is a declassified memorandum, part of a larger collection of intelligence records concerning China, originally marked Top Secret.
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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The Feasible Employment Of Atomic Weapons In Connection With Korea.

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