DAY SIX
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October 21, 1962 |
Kennedy's decision to choose the blockade over a more offensive, military route exemplifies his ability to make effective decisions as a leader. Kennedy knew he was making the best decision for the country, although it went against many of his advisers’ beliefs. It was a courageous action to take, because he followed principle over popularity.
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"The President made his decision that afternoon in favor of the blockade.... General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr., Commander in Chief of the Tactical Air Command... told the President that even a major surprise air attack could not be certain of destroying that all the missiles and nuclear weapons in Cuba. That ended the small, lingering doubt that might still have remained in his mind. It had worried him that a blockade would not remove the missiles– now it was clear that attack could not accomplish that task completely, either."–Robert Kennedy (Kennedy).
"Although Kennedy has apparently finalized plans for the quarantine before Sweeney's briefing, he nonetheless directs that the military be compared to carry out an airstrike anytime after the morning of October 22nd" (Chang and Kornbluh).
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"Memorandum of Meeting with the President":
"Secretary McNamara and General Taylor told the President that air strikes could not provide absolute assurance that all missiles were destroyed; they indicated a 90 per cent probability. They also stated that any warning would very possibly cause the movement of missiles to obscure unknown locations from which they could become operational." |