89. Letter From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric) to President Kennedy 1

Dear Mr. President:

To determine how the Department of Defense could best implement the approved recommendations of the Joint Study Group Report on Foreign Intelligence Activities of the United States Government applicable to the Department, I initiated an intensive analysis of the organization and management of Defense intelligence activities last January. This analysis is continuing in specialized areas of Defense intelligence activities with participation by all major components of the Department, and where appropriate, by other organizations in the national intelligence community.

The major product of the first six months of study has been the creation of the Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA, which will be activated on October 1, 1961, and whose first Director, Lieutenant General Joseph F. Carroll, USAF, was appointed on August 12, 1961.2

Fundamental to the decision to establish this new Defense Agency was the conclusion that only through the establishment of such an organization could the majority of the Joint Study Group recommendations applicable to the Department be most effectively achieved. Furthermore, we concluded that only through a DIA would the over-all capacity of the Department of Defense to collect, produce, and disseminate military intelligence information be greatly strengthened and greater unity of effort achieved among all components of the Department in the development of military intelligence information.

In determining the specific intelligence functions which will be directly controlled by DIA, we were guided by the Joint Study Group [Page 184] recommendations. Similarly, the Joint Study Group recommendations were carefully considered in ascertaining what intelligence functions should be retained in the military departments but made subject to DIA’s supervision (as distinguished from DIA’s direct control).

The Defense Intelligence Agency will also achieve a more efficient allocation and management of Defense intelligence resources as it becomes operational. The assumption of specific intelligence functions by DIA, however, will be on a graduated basis with each step carefully planned and executed so as not to degrade any existing Defense intelligence capability. It probably will take at least two years for the DIA to become fully operational.

One of the principal recommendations of the Joint Study Group was that the intelligence functions of the Department be brought into consonance with the Defense Reorganization Act of 1958. The integration of Defense intelligence activities under DIA will, we believe, obtain this objective. Through the establishment of DIA the Department of Defense will be able to provide better intelligence support not only to you but also to the national intelligence community as a whole.

With the exception of those Joint Study Group recommendations applicable to the activities of the National Security Agency, I have specifically charged General Carroll with the expeditious implementation of all Joint Study Group recommendations falling within the functional responsibilities of his new Agency and with monitoring all other recommendations applicable to the Department. Furthermore, I have directed General Carroll to develop all activation plans necessary for the establishment of DIA.

A far reaching reorganization of the National Security Agency (NSA) was approved by me and is now being put into effect. This will facilitate accomplishment of the Joint Study Group recommendations relating to that Agency, in particular those which strengthen the control of the Director, NSA, over Defense ELINT and cryptologic resources. Detailed steps to implement these recommendations are now being examined by the Director, NSA.

Implementation of those Joint Study Group recommendations jointly applicable to the Department of Defense and to other organizations in the national intelligence community must await completion of studies now under way, and, in some cases, the activation of DIA.

Finally, for certain specific intelligence problems incident not only to the establishment of DIA but also to full implementation of all Joint Study Group recommendations applicable to the Department, I have appointed one of my civilian staff advisors to prepare within 90 days recommendations thereon and to monitor for me, on a continuing basis, the establishment of DIA.

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For your information, I am enclosing three attachments to this report. The first is the Department of Defense Directive establishing DIA, and the second and third are memoranda detailing procedures and assigning responsibilities for implementing the reorganization of Defense intelligence activities.3

As the Defense Intelligence Agency becomes operational, I shall keep the Director of Central Intelligence and your Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board continually abreast of the status of implementation of DIA and of all approved Joint Study Group recommendations.

Sincerely,

Roswell Gilpatric 4
  1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, Department of Defense, Defense Intelligence Agency, 1961. Top Secret. A copy was sent to Bundy.
  2. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was established as an agency of the Department of Defense by DOD Directive 5105.21, August 1, under provisions of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, to operate under the direction, authority, and control of the Secretary of Defense. The chain of command ran from the Secretary of Defense, through the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Director. Under its Director, the Defense Intelligence Agency was responsible for: (a) The organization, direction, management, and control of all Department of Defense intelligence resources assigned to or included within the DIA; (b) Review and coordination of those Department of Defense intelligence functions retained by or assigned to the military departments; (c) Supervision of the execution of all approved plans, programs, policies, and procedures for intelligence functions not assigned to DIA; (d) Obtaining the maximum economy and efficiency in the allocation and management of Department of Defense intelligence resources. A copy of Department of Defense Directive 5105.21, August 1, 1961, is ibid.
  3. Not attached. Regarding the first attachment, see footnote 2 above. The other attachments were not found.
  4. Printed from a copy that bears this stamped signature and an indication that Gilpatric signed the original.