NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
TOP SECRET
21 Oct 54
1830 hrs
U.S. TRAINING OF VIETNAMESE FORCES
Immediately following this note is a draft joint State-Defense cable on the above subject. This cable carries out the gist of the OCB decision 0f 20 October. It is being acted on this evening by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. General Erskine will undertake to get Mr. Wilson's approval of the JCS action first thing Friday morning and to communicate Mr. Wilson's reaction to Adm. Radford prior to the NSC meeting. Mr. Hoover, who has agreed not to send the message until final Defense clearance is obtained, will probably seek Defense concurrence in the cable at the NSC meeting in connection with his report on Indochina.
Unless the JCS or Hr. Wilson have some objection which it is not now expected (Adm. Radford will knew in the morning), it is suggested that you concur in the dispatch of the cable as written.
TOP SECRET