U-2 Reconnaissance and Missile Discovery

Heyser flew a U-2 mission that obtained 928 photographs during a six-minute pass over western Cuba.

Bundy learned that photographic evidence confirmed Soviet offensive missile installations in Cuba.

Photographic analysts identified missile transporters, erectors, and launch-site construction in the U-2 imagery.

Lundahl briefed Kennedy directly on the U-2 photographs and explained how analysts identified the Soviet missile equipment.

Kennedy restated his public warning to Gromyko without revealing that the missile sites had been photographed.

Kennedy met Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko while withholding knowledge of the photographed missile sites.

Lundahl's analysts continued comparing new imagery to Soviet missile systems and locating additional offensive installations.

McCone reported continuing intelligence analysis as reconnaissance identified additional missile and bomber-related installations.

Rusk participated in preparations for the Gromyko meeting and supported maintaining secrecy about the photographic evidence.

The Organisation of American States unanimously supports the US decision to quarantine Cuba and , by the end of the day, all naval vessels are in place. Reconnaissance photos reveal that Soviet missiles are poised for launch.

Taylor maintained military readiness while the quarantine was implemented and reconnaissance missions increased over Cuba.

Zorin faced Stevenson's presentation of aerial photographs after declining to confirm that Soviet missiles had been installed in Cuba.

Stevenson confronted Valerian Zorin at the Security Council and presented reconnaissance photographs demonstrating Soviet missile installations.

Pliyev's command faced intense pressure as American reconnaissance continued and a Soviet surface-to-air unit shot down Anderson's U-2.

A Soviet surface-to-air missile shot down Anderson's unarmed U-2 over Cuba, killing him.

Bundy participated in the intense ExComm deliberations over the U-2 loss and Khrushchev's changing settlement terms.

Kennedy postponed retaliation for the U-2 loss while advisers pursued a diplomatic solution.

Maultsby's U-2 accidentally entered Soviet airspace during a mission over the Arctic and escaped interception.

McNamara argued against automatic retaliation after the loss of Rudolf Anderson's U-2, helping preserve time for negotiation.

Taylor advised on military responses after Anderson's U-2 was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile over Cuba.

Castro reiterated demands concerning Guantanamo, reconnaissance flights, economic pressure, and support for exile attacks against Cuba.

Kennedy instructed his advisers to handle the settlement cautiously while reconnaissance monitored dismantling at Cuban missile sites.

McCone reviewed reconnaissance evidence showing dismantled missile equipment being moved toward Cuban ports for shipment.