What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a top secret memorandum from the National Security Council concerning Taiwanese war plans against mainland China. This document, dated August third, nineteen-sixty-two, reveals the Kennedy Administration's apprehension about potential escalations with Beijing initiated by Taiwan. You can find this document at theblackvault.com. This record was released through the diligent efforts of independent researchers, compiled from a declassified collection of U.S. intelligence on China. Its provenance traces back to the National Archives and Records Administration, N A R A, with the exact F O I A case number not publicly cataloged, but its declassification authority is confirmed as E O three point four, Executive Order three point four. The document reads: Executive Office of the President. National Security Council, Washington. Top Secret. August third, nineteen-sixty-two. Personal Memorandum for Mr. Bundy. Subject: G R C War Plans. I attach the full version of the G R C war plan which I spoke to you about the other day. It was received in Taipei on May twenty-third and sent to Washington on June first. I summarized it by cable on May twenty-fifth and again on July twentieth and twenty-third. As a result, it didn't get the kind of attention that I would have hoped had I known about it. One can speculate that the existence of this document in Taiwan may have come to the attention of the ChiComs, and if so, may have some connection with their buildup during the month of June. I don't think the Agency agrees with me on this, but it's a thought which I cannot quite get rid of. I think you should look at the phases set out on page two. You will note that Phase one, in effect, is the program for the two hundred-man drop, which we have already agreed to prepare, although not necessarily to implement. Phase two is obviously a consequence of Phase one. This document, together with conversations I had in Taipei with Admiral Kirk, his D C M Q, has brought me to suspect that we may have made a mistake last May in going along with G R C proposals for the two hundred-man teams. I think there is a significant difference between the twenty-man drop concept, which is more clearly an intelligence collection operation, and the two hundred-man drop concept, which comes close to the first stage of active military operations. I visualize a situation where the two hundred men have been dropped on a hillside and are in the process of collecting a certain amount of support. Meanwhile, the People's Army of Liberation (or whatever they call themselves) begin marching in regimental strength from its base some distance away towards our two hundred men. Several days go by and in the meantime there have been a certain amount of defections, and our two hundred men are joined by, say, a thousand or so mainland Chinese. At this point the regiment arrives and our two hundred men augmented call the G I M O, who calls us for help. What do we do?…

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.

Army: Today, We Examine A Top Secret Memorandum From The National Security Council

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is Declassified. Today, we examine a top secret memorandum from the National Security Council concerning Taiwanese war plans against mainland China. This document, dated August third, nineteen-sixty-two, reveals the Kennedy Administration's apprehension about potential escalations with Beijing initiated by Taiwan.

Date: SEP 12 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Army: Today, We Examine A Top Secret Memorandum From The National Security Council about?: This is Declassified. Today, we examine a top secret memorandum from the National Security Council concerning Taiwanese war plans against mainland China. This document, dated August third, nineteen-sixty-two, reveals the Kennedy Administration's apprehension about potential escalations with Beijing initiated by Taiwan.
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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Army: Today, We Examine A Top Secret Memorandum From The National Security Council

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