ACTIONS TO PROTECT U.S. FORCES IN SOUTH VIETNAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-533-1-16-1
• Release Decision: RIFLIM
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: December 9, 2010
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: April 26, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/09: LOC-HAK-533-1-16-1
DOS, OSD Reviews
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TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE/PRINCIPALS ONLY April 26, 1970
National Security Decision Memorandum 57
TO: The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Defense
The Attorney General
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE INSTRUCTIONS
APPLY
The Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Actions to Protect U. S. Forces in 'South Vietnam
Based on the National Security Council meeting of April 26, 1970,
I direct that the following steps be taken to protect U. S. forces
operating in South Vietnam:
Authorization for the conduct of ground operations by
U. S. forces or by US/GVN forces into identified North
Vietnamese/Viet Cong sanctuaries in Cambodia up to
a depth of 30 kilometers. With the exception of the
operation against Base Area 35Z/353, U. U.S. or combined
US/ARVN operations against specific base areas will be
submitted to me for approval on a case-by-case basis.
Authorization for the provision of U. S. tactical air/
helicopter and artillery up to a depth of 30 kilometers
in all base areas north of and including 352/353.
The Washington Special Actions Group is designated as the implementing
authority for these steps.
cc: The Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
TOP SECRET /SENSITIVE /PRINCIPALS ONLY
No Objection to Declassification in Full 2010/12/09: LOC-HAK-533-1-16-1