◆ SpookStack

47. Carter, Memorandum for the Record, 17 October 1962 — ST 17 October 1962 MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD 1. On Monday evening, 15 October late, I was informed that the latest readout from Cuban U-2 photography indicated initial deployment of Medium Range Ballistic Missiles. I immediately authorized the dissemination of this information on a very limited need-to-know basis to USIB mambers and their immediate com- manders. On Tussday morning at 11:45 I attended an NSC Meeting at the White House which ineloded the Presidest, Secretary Rusk, Secretary Ball, Secretary Martin, Secretary McNamara, Secretary Gilpatric, General Taylor, the Vice President, Secretary Dillon, the Attorney General, Mr. McGeorge Bundy, and myself. I made a preliminary briefing to the group as to what we thought we saw and Mr. Lundahl and Mr. Graybeal expanded thereon. At the end of the intelligence portion of the briefing, the group went into general discussion. 2. Secretary Rusk was greatly disturbed about this new development but pointed out that Mr. McCons had predicted such a possibility back in mid-August. He said that he had been thinking about courses of action and that he had a number of comments to make, along the following lines: a. A quick-strike surprise attack by air to wipe out these bas: b. Consideration to expand this into @ total invasion to take over the island; c. We must not operate in a vacuum but must of course pre-inform our allies, at least in part; d. We should consider making an announcement very shortly and to determine whether or not to call up the Reserves;