What did the declassified documents reveal?

This is a declassified United States government record concerning a naval destroyer patrol mission off the coast of China, a cable dated September seventeenth, nineteen sixty‑two, from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to the commander of the Pacific Fleet. It is notable because it outlines the operational parameters and political justification for a U.S. warship to operate near Chinese territorial waters during a period of heightened Cold War tension. The source is archived at the Black Vault. The document was released to the public through the Black Vault website. The release appears as part of a broader collection of U.S. intelligence on China, made available without a specific FOIA case number listed. The declassification authority is identified as the Department of Defense, under the standard classification review process for historical records. The document reads as follows: Copy # ices ored + RAYR- (Ae SBA as SECRET For DC/T usé:oilly. poses oO ce ar ce ae | HK: ‘Aniéonsui HONG KONG © ASE. OS eo OEE INFO: , | GINGPAC’ FOR Poly 1 Eh/ aie Glee ae -/RIMET ore cst Mell 7. | oT: “Your 559. sent. CINCPAC 21. as “Reftel. given thorough consideration by responsible S Sitssnangton authorities. Decision to go ahead’ with destroyer a . patrol mission rests on fact: (1) this type operation does no x | more then reaffirm our “right send our ships anywhere we choose a on high seas. and (2) risk of incident minimized by orders to destroyer (a) es come no closer than 15 miles to China coast — approached-: ~ jy ani, (b). to turn. away if/apummaeh by Chinese Communist warship. = Ol | | & . : ub y os , 2 = ‘ Cad END 2 wnahe pb 10) ) N Drie ta Telegraphic transmission and - pBTEA: ‘SAveger/tkb “Clearances: 91/62. i classitication approved bys: > FE ~ Mr. Peterson I G - Mr. Johnso che ees LA Et Se White a

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.

United States Government Record Concerning A Naval Destroyer Patrol Mission Off

◆ BLUF — The short version

This is a declassified United States government record concerning a naval destroyer patrol mission off the coast of China, a cable dated September seventeenth, nineteen sixty‑two, from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to the commander of the Pacific Fleet.

Date: SEP 11 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was United States Government Record Concerning A Naval Destroyer Patrol Mission Off about?: This is a declassified United States government record concerning a naval destroyer patrol mission off the coast of China, a cable dated September seventeenth, nineteen sixty‑two, from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations to the commander of the Pacific Fleet.
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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United States Government Record Concerning A Naval Destroyer Patrol Mission Off

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