diplomatic

Soviet Ships Approach Quarantine Line

| Cuba

Soviet ships carrying military cargo approached the US naval quarantine line around Cuba. Secretary of State Dean Rusk reportedly said 'We're eyeball to eyeball, and I think the other fellow just blinked.' Most Soviet ships turned back; one tanker passed through after being searched. The US military went to DEFCON 2 for the only time in history.

  • T1 State Department FRUS Official
  • T3 National Security Archive Institutional
  • T2 AP Major