John A. McConeAugust 1962
McCone repeatedly warned that the Soviet buildup in Cuba might conceal plans to deploy offensive ballistic missiles.
United States · Warfare / Military. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
McCone repeatedly warned that the Soviet buildup in Cuba might conceal plans to deploy offensive ballistic missiles.
McCone questioned restrictions on U-2 coverage of Cuba and pressed for broader reconnaissance as evidence of the Soviet military buildup accumulated.
Heyser flew a U-2 mission that obtained 928 photographs during a six-minute pass over western 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.
Taylor and the Joint Chiefs developed plans for attacks against missile sites and other military targets.
Lundahl's analysts continued comparing new imagery to Soviet missile systems and locating additional offensive installations.
Taylor presented military assessments emphasizing that an air strike might have to be followed by a larger invasion of Cuba.
Taylor supervised continued planning for air strikes and invasion after Kennedy selected the quarantine as the first step.
Sweeney advised Kennedy that air strikes could not guarantee destruction of every operational missile.
Taylor maintained military readiness while the quarantine was implemented and reconnaissance missions increased over Cuba.
A Soviet surface-to-air missile shot down Anderson's unarmed U-2 over Cuba, killing him.
Maultsby's U-2 accidentally entered Soviet airspace during a mission over the Arctic and escaped interception.
Taylor advised on military responses after Anderson's U-2 was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile over Cuba.
Taylor kept United States forces at high readiness while officials awaited evidence that Soviet dismantling had begun.
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