Cold War document shows military chiefs sought U.S. purchase of Greenland

President Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland is not new. A 1956 document from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called for the U.S. to purchase Greenland for its strategic military value.

Adm. Arthur W. Radford, the chairman at the time, stated in a memorandum to Defense Secretary Charles W. Wilson that in 1955 the military chiefs voiced their view “emphasizing the strategic importance of Greenland and the military advantage to the United States of acquiring title to the area.”

“The U.S. military requirements in Greenland can be expected to increase in the future,” the admiral said. 

“Further, Greenland will probably assume even greater strategic significance with the advent of operational intercontinental ballistic missiles, not only as a likely area for basing elements of a system to defend against such weapons, but as a potential area for installing offensive missile units,” he said.

The chiefs at the time said the 1951 treaty with Denmark for U.S. basing rights was an essential military requirement “so long as Denmark is a cooperative partner in an effective NATO.”

“Nevertheless, the Joint Chiefs of Staff believe that it would be advantageous, from a military point of view, to accomplish one of the following which are listed in order of priority,” the memo said.

The first priority is to “obtain direct title through purchase of Greenland.” Other options included a long-term lease for all of Greenland or selected bases areas. The last option was to negotiate an agreement for the longer term use of bases.

Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday that the U.S. needs Greenland for “national security” and that Greenland is vital for the Golden Dome missile defense system being built.

He warned that if the U.S. does not take over the Arctic island, Russia or China would and that “THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”

“Militarily, without the vast power of the United States, much of which I built during my first term, and am now bringing to a new and even higher level, NATO would not be an effective force or deterrent - Not even close!,” Mr. Trump said, adding that NATO will be more effective with Greenland in U.S. hands.

“Anything less than that is unacceptable,” he said.