Operation Northwoods
A 1962 proposed false flag operation by the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff to generate public support for war against Cuba through terrorist acts.
Documented record
Known Facts
Operation Northwoods was a series of proposed false flag operations in March 1962.
The proposals included staging terrorist attacks on U.S. soil and blaming them on Cuba.
Plans included sinking a U.S. ship, hijacking planes, and attacking U.S. cities.
The proposals were signed by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Lyman Lemnitzer.
President John F. Kennedy rejected the proposals and removed Lemnitzer.
The documents were declassified in the 1990s.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Northwoods Memorandum (1962)
PRIMARY SOURCEOfficial Joint Chiefs memorandum proposing false flag operations against Cuba.
SOURCE:U.S. National Security Archive
Lemnitzer Signature
PRIMARY SOURCEThe proposals bear the signature of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
SOURCE:U.S. Department of Defense
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
Rejected by President Kennedy
PRIMARY SOURCEPresident Kennedy rejected the proposals and did not authorize them.
SOURCE:White House records
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
Were similar false flag proposals made for other conflicts?
How high did the Northwoods proposals go in the approval chain?
What was Lemnitzer's motivation for proposing such operations?
Were any elements of Northwoods ever implemented?
Chronological record
Timeline
Northwoods memorandum presented to Secretary of Defense.
President Kennedy rejects the proposals.
Lemnitzer removed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
Documents declassified by the National Security Archive.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
CIA appear in both.
CIA appear in both.
CIA appear in both.