Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Western European Integration and Security, Canada, Volume VII, Part 1

190. Memorandum of Conference With President Eisenhower⁰

February 9, 1959, 10:30 a.m.

OTHERS PRESENT

• General Twining
• Major Eisenhower

General Twining opened by telling the President of the visit of General Norstad, who had been in Washington for the week end. The purpose of his trip had been to testify before the Mahon Subcommittee (Defense) of the House Appropriations Committee.¹ On Saturday morning² General Norstad met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The subject at time had been the current U.S. position on contingency plans for Berlin, which General Norstad had thought was very fine. To this the President added Secretary Dulles had had a successful trip to Europe and had reported that the French are taking a much more positive view on the Berlin question.³ (The Secretary had pointed out, however, that despite their resolution, the French have very little capability available in Europe itself.)

General Twining then mentioned the idea of a military representative to the tripartite meetings which are being held in Washington between Alphand, Caccia and Murphy.⁴ (These are being held in response to De Gaulle’s desire for tripartite discussions within NATO.) Specifically, Admiral Dennison⁵ had been present at the first meeting, held recently, to brief on the subject of the Far East. The Joint Chiefs of Staff desire to terminate this procedure of providing a military representative at first chance, fearing that too many political problems will be pushed off on the military. General Twining promised that he would see Mr. Murphy on the subject. He added, however, that at the meeting between Secretary Dulles and General De Gaulle it had been helpful to the Secretary to be able to state that we provided a military representative to this tripartite meeting. General Twining believes that he has now arrived at an estimate of what De Gaulle wants. Primarily, he desires to have a veto over the use of our Strategic Air Command.

General Twining then brought up the matter of personnel changes in Europe. General Norstad had voiced the desire to remain in his present job to the end of this Administration; specifically, he feels he should wait until after the 1960 election. General Norstad had pointed out that he desires to retire rather than continue on active duty, since his investment in the European job is so heavy as to practically cut him off from any terms of reference of a job in the U.S.

The President was in general agreement with General Norstad’s desires, although he feels that late summer of 1960 would be a preferable time for the switch. He stated that he would like to make the change about three or four months before the end of the Administration. He would like General Norstad to remain on active duty after his return to the U.S.; but he fully realizes the difficulty in readjusting from a position of SACEUR to any other. He asked General Twining to request General Norstad to come and visit him next time he is in Washington.

As to the timing of a departure by General Norstad, the President sees no problem. General Schuyler’s changeover will occur in June 1959. His replacement will eventually become SACEUR. This will make June 1960 the first time in which General Schuyler’s replacement could take over from General Norstad, since it would require at least a year for an officer in the Chief of Staff position to “sell himself” to the European nations. The President pointed out that he had followed this procedure with General Gruenther,⁶ and that only in the case of General Ridgway⁷ had an officer been sent in from another area to take over that command.

General Twining then stated that General Norstad would favor General Taylor as his replacement, although they all realize that General Taylor has completed his tour as Army Chief of Staff, and the Secretary of Defense thinks it unwise to appoint him for a third term. Accordingly, General Twining feels that General Taylor could take over the position of Deputy CINCEUR, now held by General Palmer. On this the President reviewed some names of officers he would nominate for this position. He agrees with the difficulties in the appointment of General Taylor, but feels (and General Twining agrees) that the officer should come from the Army. Specifically, the President mentioned General Decker,⁸ General Davidson, and General Lemnitzer. In response to General Twining’s statement that General Lemnitzer is slated to be Chief of Staff, the President answered that that officer should be groomed for General Twining’s position, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Some discussion of individual officer qualifications then followed, with General Twining expressing the view that if SACEUR is to be an Army officer, then the position of Deputy CINCEUR, presently held by General Palmer, should be held by an Air Force officer.⁹ He also stated that General Norstad is making every effort to consolidate some Army headquarters in Europe. To this the President responded with enthusiasm.

[Here follows discussion of unrelated matters]

John S. D. Eisenhower

0. Source: Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries. Top Secret. Drafted by John S.D. Eisenhower on February 10.
1. Norstad’s testimony has not been found.
2. February 7.
3. Regarding Dulles’ trip to Europe February 3–9, see Part 2, Document 94.
4. See Part 2, Documents 92 and 93.
5. Admiral Robert L. Dennison, Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean.
6. General Alfred M. Gruenther, SACEUR, 1953–1956.
7. General Matthew B. Ridgway, SACEUR, 1952–1953.
8. General George H. Decker, Commander in Chief, U.N. Command, Korea.
9. In a memorandum of conversation between the President and McElroy on March 6, prepared by Goodpaster on March 10, McElroy reported that he had spoken to General Taylor regarding possible assignments aimed at his assuming the post of SACEUR, and Taylor had told him he did not wish to continue in service for that purpose. McElroy added that General Moore (presumably Lieutenant General James E. Moore, Deputy Chief of Staff for Military Operations) would be sent to succeed General Williston Palmer who would retire in June, and either General Charles D. Palmer, Commanding General, Headquarters Sixth U.S. Army, or General Davidson would be sent as a replacement for General Schuyler. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, DDE Diaries)