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On October 16, after learning of the missiles, the American president, John F. Kennedy, convenes his top level security Executive Committee (EX-COM) to consider what must be done. On October 17, Kennedy warns the Soviets that America will not tolerate the introduction of Soviet missiles into Cuba. The Soviets deny the presence of Soviet missiles on the island. On October 18, Kennedy meets again with his top advisers and finds no consensus. Former secretary of state Dean Acheson advocates an immediate air strike to destroy the missiles, former secretary of defense Robert Lovett supports a naval blockade, while national security adviser, McGeorge Bundy, urges that no military action at all be taken. (Source: History and Politics Out Loud)
On October 19, Kennedy meets with the secretary of defense, Robert McNamara, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The chiefs of the American military urge air strikes and a naval blockade. Kennedy balks, “An air strike would neutralize the missiles but would likely force the Soviets to take Berlin, which leaves me only one alternative which is to fire nuclear weapons.” (Source: History and Politics Out Loud)
The divided city of Berlin, surrounded on all sides by communist East Germany, is a flashpoint in the struggle between America and the Soviet Union. America has repeatedly guaranteed the freedom of “West Berlin” against repeated hostile gestures by the Soviets including a physical blockade in 1948 and the building of a wall to prevent Germans in the communist controlled portion of the country from fleeing to West Berlin.
The Air Force chief of staff General Curtis LeMay, argues that a blockade and political talks without direct military action will lead to war. “The Soviets won't take Berlin if we act in Cuba but will take it if we fail to act. I just don't see any other solution except direct military intervention right now. A blockade alone is a weak response which will lead to nuclear blackmail.” (Source: History and Politics Out Loud)
On October 20 and 21 American spy planes identify additional missiles in Cuba, together with bombers and cruise missile sites along Cuba’s northern shores.
On Monday evening, October 22, 1962 at 7 p.m., President John F. Kennedy addresses the American people in a televised, seventeen minute speech, “Within the past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive missile sites are now in preparation on the imprisoned island. The purpose of these bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the Western Hemisphere.” The President imposes a naval “quarantine” on Cuba, prohibiting the passage of offensive weapons into the island.
On October 23, new reconnaissance photos reveal that Soviet missiles in Cuba are almost ready for launch.
On October 25, American military forces go to DEFCON 2 - the highest ever in U.S. history.
On October 26, new reconnaissance photos reveal the construction of the missile sites is continuing and accelerating. President Kennedy asserts that only an invasion or trade for U.S. missiles will break the impasse. "Well now, the quarantine itself won't remove the weapons. So you only get two ways of removing the weapons: one is negotiate them out, in other words trade them out, and the other is to go in and take them out. I don't see any other way you're going to get the weapons out.” Kennedy orders the State Department to draw up plans for the establishment of a civilian government in Cuba after an invasion. (Source: History and Politics Out Loud)
On October 27, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency reports to President Kennedy that five of the missile sites on Cuba are now fully operational. An American U-2 spy plane is shot down over Cuba by a Soviet surface-to-air missile and the pilot is killed. Kennedy asks, “How can we put more U-2 pilots over Cuba unless we take out all the SAM sites?" (Source: History and Politics Out Loud)
Kennedy orders air strikes on all SAM sites on Sunday October 28, 1962. Soviet soldiers and technicians are killed.