August 24, 1942 Memorandum For Admiral King I wish you would ask Admiral Towers to submit to you his judgment of the number of naval combat aircraft by types which should be produced for the Navy and the navies of our Allies in this country in 1943 in order to have complete air ascendencey over the enemy. This report should be prepared without consideration for existing schedules or production possibilities or any other competing military requirements. I am asking for this because I would like to know what the the theoretical requirements are to get complete control and domination of the air. I realize fully, however, that there are limiting factors to the creation of air power, such as the availability of pilots, high octane gas, transportation and the competition of other essential critical munitions of war. Hence, I would like you and General Marshall to submit a second schedule based on these realities and the proper relationship of air power to the Navy and our ground forces. Copy to General Marshall |