Operations Coordinating Board
Encyclopedia
The Operations Coordinating Board was a committee of the United States Executive created in 1953 by President Eisenhower
's Executive Order 10483. The board, which reported to the National Security Council
was responsible for integrating the implementation of national security policies across several agencies.
The board's membership was to include the Under Secretary of State
, who was to chair the board, the Deputy Secretary of Defense
, the Director of the Foreign Operations Administration, the Director of Central Intelligence
, and the President's Special Assistant for Psychological Warfare. Also authorized to attend were the President's Special
Assistant for National Security Affairs
and the Director of the United States Information Agency
.
The creation of the board was a recommendation of the Jackson Committee, chaired by William Harding Jackson
, set-up to propose future United States Government information and psychological warfare
programs. The same committee recommended the existing Psychological Strategy Board
be abolished.
The Operations Coordinating Board was abolished by President Kennedy
on February 19, 1961.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's Executive Order 10483. The board, which reported to the National Security Council
United States National Security Council
The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the...
was responsible for integrating the implementation of national security policies across several agencies.
The board's membership was to include the Under Secretary of State
Under Secretary of State
The Under Secretary of State, from 1919 to 1972, was the second-ranking official at the United States Department of State , serving as the Secretary's principal deputy, chief assistant, and Acting Secretary in the event of the Secretary's absence...
, who was to chair the board, the Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
, the Director of the Foreign Operations Administration, the Director of Central Intelligence
Director of Central Intelligence
The Office of United States Director of Central Intelligence was the head of the United States Central Intelligence Agency, the principal intelligence advisor to the President and the National Security Council, and the coordinator of intelligence activities among and between the various United...
, and the President's Special Assistant for Psychological Warfare. Also authorized to attend were the President's Special
Assistant for National Security Affairs
National Security Advisor (United States)
The Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, commonly referred to as the National Security Advisor , serves as the chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues...
and the Director of the United States Information Agency
United States Information Agency
The United States Information Agency , which existed from 1953 to 1999, was a United States agency devoted to "public diplomacy". In 1999, USIA's broadcasting functions were moved to the newly created Broadcasting Board of Governors, and its exchange and non-broadcasting information functions were...
.
The creation of the board was a recommendation of the Jackson Committee, chaired by William Harding Jackson
William Harding Jackson
William Harding Jackson was a U.S. civilian administrator, New York lawyer, and investment banker who served as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Jackson also served briefly under President Dwight D...
, set-up to propose future United States Government information and psychological warfare
Psychological warfare
Psychological warfare , or the basic aspects of modern psychological operations , have been known by many other names or terms, including Psy Ops, Political Warfare, “Hearts and Minds,” and Propaganda...
programs. The same committee recommended the existing Psychological Strategy Board
Psychological Strategy Board
The Psychological Strategy Board was a committee of the United States executive formed to coordinate and plan for psychological operations. It was formed on April 4, 1951, during the Truman administration. The board was composed of the Under Secretary of State, the Deputy Secretary of Defense,...
be abolished.
The Operations Coordinating Board was abolished by President Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
on February 19, 1961.