Aerial Photo of Soviet Missile Site, San Cristobal Cuba
Artifact IDMO 63.3254
Object Type
Photograph
Date
October 14, 1962
Maker
Light Photographic Squadron #62 (VFP-62)
(Navy Squadron for Photographic Intelligence)
Place MadeCuba
Medium
Photograph
DimensionsMat H 18 1/2 in x W 25 in (47 cm x 63.5 cm)
Physical DescriptionAerial black and white photograph of the Soviet missile site at San Cristobal Cuba taken from low altitude by a reconnaissance plane. Captioned "SAN CRISTOBAL No. I/ MRBM SITE" at top, dated "14 OCTOBER 1962" upper left of image. Specific features individually captioned within photo.
Historical NoteThis was one of the first photographs used to confirm the existence of the Soviet ballistic missile base in Cuba. It was among 928 images taken during an aerial photographic reconnaissance mission flown over Cuba on Sunday, October 14, 1962. The next day, analysts at the National Photographic Interpretation Center concluded that the photographs showed evidence of Soviet missile site construction in Cuba and conveyed their findings to McGeorge Bundy, President Kennedy's National Security Advisor.
Bundy delivered the news and the photos to Kennedy early the following morning, October 16, in the President's bedroom. The presence and size of the missiles were presumptive of nuclear capability. President Kennedy called a meeting of his foreign policy advisers for 11:45 that morning.
Months later, when JFK asked Bundy why he waited before delivering the news, Bundy explained: "I decided that a quiet evening and a night of sleep were the best preparation you could have."
Additional DetailsBundy delivered the news and the photos to Kennedy early the following morning, October 16, in the President's bedroom. The presence and size of the missiles were presumptive of nuclear capability. President Kennedy called a meeting of his foreign policy advisers for 11:45 that morning.
Months later, when JFK asked Bundy why he waited before delivering the news, Bundy explained: "I decided that a quiet evening and a night of sleep were the best preparation you could have."
Custodial History NoteThis item is material associated with the White House the Kennedy Administration and the Executive Offices of the President. It was either government property or was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Not on view
