Just after a U.S. spy plane was shot down in 1969, President Nixon appears to have ordered nuclear bombers to prepare to attack targets in North Korea, but he quickly changed his mind. More extensive plans (one with the Bush-esque name of “Freedom Drop”) for nuclear strikes on as many as 16 North Korean targets were also devised.

Take a look at the documents related to this story over at the National Security Archive.

The Guardian:

According to newly revealed government documents, Nixon is even believed to have ordered nuclear bombers to be put on standby for an immediate strike after North Korean jets downed the American plane as it flew over international waters collecting electronic and radio intelligence.

The documents, obtained by the National Security Archive in Washington after a freedom of information request, describe the plan codenamed Freedom Drop, which called for “pre-co-ordinated options for the selective use of tactical nuclear weapons against North Korea”.

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#george w bush#government#north korea#nuclear#nuclear arms#richard nixon#security#wmd