What did the declassified documents reveal?

Today, Declassified presents excerpts from a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a summary of discussions between State and Joint Chiefs of Staff officials, dated May twentieth, nineteen fifty-five. This document offers insight into high-level U.S. government discussions regarding military strategy and public relations during the Cold War. You can find this record at documents2.theblackvault.com. This document was released under the Freedom of Information Act by the Central Intelligence Agency, with portions declassified on July fourteenth, two thousand twenty-three. The original classification was Top Secret. The document, titled "Substance of Discussions of State-Joint Chiefs of Staff Meeting Held in Room Two C Nine Two Three, The Pentagon Building, on Friday, May Twentieth, Nineteen Fifty-Five, at Eleven Thirty a.m.," notes that it is a "Top Secret State Draft," not cleared with any participants. Attendees included Admiral Radford, General Ridgway, General White, Admiral Duncan, Admiral Gardner, General Gavin, General Hogaboom, General Mathewson, Captain Phillips, Colonel Wentworth, General Gerhart, General Fox, General Tate from Defense, and Mr. Murphy, Mr. MacArthur, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Lyon, Mr. Hemmendinger, Mr. Stelle, Mr. Linebaugh from State, Mr. Gleason from the N-S-C, and Admiral Brown, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Amory, and Mr. Hensel from the C-I-A. The discussions covered several points. General Ridgway reiterated his belief that instructions regarding the use of force were not sufficiently precise. Admiral Radford, however, stated that "the field commander should infer from his instructions that he could use firepower." He also felt the British could be informed of plans involving limited military force. General Ridgway again expressed concern that "the field commander would not know whether he should march up to the barricade, try to tear it down, or start shooting." Major General Gerhart noted that in N-S-C Planning Board discussions, the intention was "that the West would undertake a small probing action to test Soviet intentions," not necessarily involving firepower. If, after this test, the Soviets would not reopen access to Berlin, then "the second step would come into play and force would be used." Admiral Radford believed this made the intention "explicit and clear." Mr. Murphy then requested the Joint Chiefs provide a brief outline of "the meaning of 'limited use of force'" for the British and French. General Ridgway agreed to supply such an outline. A second topic, the "Recent M-I-G Incident," was opened by Mr. Murphy, who read a May eighteenth briefing memorandum. Mr. Murphy raised two points: first, when U.S. planes are attacked and overfly Chinese Communist territory "in the heat of battle," why is this not stated publicly? Secondly, "are some of these flights which are very near Chinese Communist territory not unnecessarily provocative?" Admiral Radford concurred with restrictions, noting that limitations on…

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.

CIA Today, Declassified Presents Excerpts From A Declassified Central Intelligence

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Today, Declassified presents excerpts from a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a summary of discussions between State and Joint Chiefs of Staff officials, dated May twentieth, nineteen fifty-five. S. government discussions regarding military strategy and public relations during the Cold War.

Date: SEP 25 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Episode notes

Today, Declassified presents excerpts from a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a summary of discussions between State and Joint Chiefs of Staff officials, dated May twentieth, nineteen fifty-five. This document offers insight into high-level U.S. government discussions regarding…

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Questions about this case

What was CIA Today, Declassified Presents Excerpts From A Declassified Central Intelligence about?: Today, Declassified presents excerpts from a declassified Central Intelligence Agency record, a summary of discussions between State and Joint Chiefs of Staff officials, dated May twentieth, nineteen fifty-five. S. government discussions regarding military strategy and public relations during the Cold War.
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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CIA Today, Declassified Presents Excerpts From A Declassified Central Intelligence

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