22. Two big questions must be answered, and in conjunction with each
other:
1. Which military action, if any:
âą Limited air strike: Rusk, probably Ball and Johnson, Acheson originally
âą Fuller air strike: McNamara and Taylor (who convinced Acheson)
Bohlen's 2nd choice
âą Blockade: Bohlen, Thompson, probably Martin, probably McNamara and
Taylor 2nd choice
2. Should political action -- in particular a letter of warning to Khrushchev --
precede military action?
âą If blockade or invasion, everyone says yes
âą If air strike
âą Yes: Bohlen, Thompson (also K. O'Donnell)
âą No: Taylor, McNamara, presumably Acheson
âą Undecided: Rusk