Thirteen Days

The committee presented the recommendations to President Kennedy at a meeting of the National Security Council on Saturday. After listening to the arguments for each position, the President decided in favor of a blockade of Cuba. Robert Kennedy found some of the arguments advocating for military action problematic and recalled “the many times that I had heard the military take positions which, if wrong, had the advantage that no one would be around at the end to know” (38).

On Sunday, the President was informed that the U.S. could not be confident that an airstrike on Cuba would successfully eliminate all of the missiles. That information dissolved any reservations President Kennedy had about proceeding with a blockade. President Kennedy’s most compelling objection to military action “was that a surprise attack would erode if not destroy the moral position of the United States throughout the world” (39). Although a blockade was chosen, military preparations were undertaken immediately. Troops were mobilized, ships were sent to the Caribbean, and the bomber force was airborne with nuclear weapons.

The critical diplomatic process of informing American allies and gaining their support began. As more people in Washington learned of the situation, the press became aware of critical developments.