National Security Action Memorandum No. 145: New Policy for the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

Kennedy, John F. (1962-05-18). National Security Action Memorandum No. 145: New Policy for the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. NSAM 145: Trust Territory Policy and Survey Mission Materials (Report). Washington, DC: The White House. p. 93.

Abstract: National Security Action Memorandum 145 (1962) file and related materials on U.S. policy toward the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; includes NSAM 243 (May 9, 1963) directing a U.S. Government Survey Mission under Anthony M. Solomon, mission transmittal, report structure, and extended “Introduction and Summary” of findings; establishes policy objective of moving Micronesia toward permanent affiliation with the United States within the United Nations trusteeship framework; outlines mission fieldwork across districts and identifies three core problem areas: plebiscite strategy, development programming, and administrative reform; presents integrated “master plan” linking capital investment (FY1965–1968), political preparation, and institutional restructuring to achieve a favorable plebiscite; analyzes limited national identity, district fragmentation, elite concerns over land and governance, and economic stagnation and infrastructure decline; proposes political conditioning measures, expanded education and Peace Corps activity, and restructuring of territorial administration and Washington oversight; situates development policy within strategic context, long-term subsidy requirements, and potential territorial reorganization including relationship with Guam.