Letter to Admiral Robert L. Dennison on His Designation as Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic

[ Released December 31, 1959. Dated December 29, 1959 ]

Dear Admiral Dennison:

With the approval of the North Atlantic Council, I have designated you Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, to be effective on February 29, 1960.

Your responsibilities and authority as the Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, are contained in the Terms of Reference issued by the Standing Group of the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The United States Armed Forces assigned to the United States Atlantic Command will continue to remain under your operational command to the extent necessary for the accomplishment of your mission.

You are hereby authorized to use officers and enlisted personnel of the United States Armed Forces and civilian employees of the United States Government on your staff as you consider appropriate in numbers and grades as necessary.

I am sending copies of this letter to the Secretary of State and to the Secretary of Defense for their guidance.

On behalf of the American people, I wish you the very best as you assume this most important post.

With warm regard,

Sincerely,

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER