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