JFK SIGNS NAM #215
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On January 12, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed National Action Memorandum #215 directing the inclusion of tactical nuclear weapons* and the multilateral management of this force would include representatives of the West German government.
The memorandum was sent by McGeorge Bundy, special assistant for National Security Affairs, to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara.
*tactical nuclear weapons, small 'nukes,' are many times larger than conventional bombs & produce radioactive fallout. Their range is from 300 to 400 miles & are designed to be used on the battlefield in military situations (non-strategic).
They made up a large part of nuclear stockpiles during the Cold War. Most were disposed of in 1991. These types of weapons pose a risk to global security.
SOURCES
"Explained: What are 'tactical' nuclear weapons?," by Josh Smith, Reuters, October 13, 2022, www.reuters.com/
"National Security Action Memorandums (NSAMS)," Inclusion of Tactical Weapons in the Para 6 Force, Archives, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, www.jfklibrary.org/
"Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNW)," by Nikolai Sokov, NTI, www.nti.org/
