Background: How the Crisis Started
Confirmed records indicate the Cuban Missile Crisis began when American U-2 reconnaissance aircraft discovered Soviet nuclear missiles being installed in Cuba, about 90 miles from the United States.
Key Events Leading to Crisis (Confirmed Records)
- 1959: Fidel Castro's revolution succeeds in Cuba
- 1961: Bay of Pigs invasion fails, pushing Cuba closer to USSR
- Mid-1962: Soviet Premier Khrushchev decides to place missiles in Cuba
- October 14, 1962: U-2 photographs reveal missile sites under construction
The Stakes
Confirmed records indicate Soviet medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) in Cuba could:
- Strike most major U.S. cities with nuclear warheads
- Reduce warning time from 30 minutes (ICBMs from USSR) to just minutes
- Fundamentally alter the nuclear balance of power
DEFCON Timeline - October 1962
Timeline details are summarized from confirmed records and may vary slightly by source.
U-2 reconnaissance discovers Soviet missiles in Cuba
President Kennedy informed; ExComm (Executive Committee) begins secret deliberations
Confirmed records indicate DEFCON 3 declared for all U.S. forces worldwide
Kennedy addresses nation, announces naval "quarantine" of Cuba
Confirmed records indicate DEFCON 2 declared for Strategic Air Command
Quarantine line goes into effect
Soviet ships approach the line
Soviet ships stop short of quarantine line
Most dangerous day of the crisis:
- U-2 shot down over Cuba, pilot killed
- U-2 accidentally strays into Soviet airspace
- Soviet submarine B-59 nearly launches nuclear torpedo
Khrushchev announces Soviet missiles will be withdrawn
Naval quarantine officially ends; DEFCON levels gradually reduced
Historical Record
Duration at DEFCON 2: Approximately one month
Significance: Highest confirmed DEFCON level ever reached; SAC maintained DEFCON 2 during the crisis.
Military Posture at DEFCON 2
Strategic Air Command Actions
- B-52 Airborne Alert: Nuclear-armed bombers airborne 24 hours a day, ready to strike
- Dispersal: Bombers dispersed to civilian airfields to avoid being destroyed on ground
- ICBM Readiness: Atlas and Titan missiles on maximum alert
- Personnel: All leaves cancelled, crews on constant standby
Naval Forces
- 183 ships deployed for quarantine operation
- Polaris submarines on patrol with nuclear missiles
- Anti-submarine warfare operations to track Soviet subs
Ground Forces
- Largest military buildup in Florida since WWII
- Army divisions prepared for potential invasion of Cuba
- Marine expeditionary forces ready
Near-Misses During the Crisis
Several incidents during the crisis nearly triggered nuclear war:
Soviet Submarine B-59 - The Closest Call
Date: October 27, 1962
What Happened: Soviet submarine B-59 was being depth-charged by U.S. destroyers. The captain wanted to launch a nuclear torpedo. Launch required agreement of three officers; two agreed, but Vasili Arkhipov refused.
Prevented By: Vasili Arkhipov's refusal may have prevented nuclear war.
Other Close Calls
- U-2 Shot Down: Soviet SA-2 missile shot down U.S. U-2 over Cuba, killing pilot Major Rudolf Anderson
- U-2 in Soviet Airspace: Another U-2 accidentally strayed into Soviet territory over Alaska; Soviet MiGs scrambled
- Test Launch: A U.S. test ICBM was launched from California during crisis, potentially misinterpretable
Resolution and De-escalation
The Deal
- Soviet Commitment: Remove missiles from Cuba
- U.S. Declared Commitment: No invasion of Cuba
- U.S. Secret Commitment: Remove Jupiter missiles from Turkey within 6 months
Aftermath
- Moscow-Washington Hotline: Direct communication link established (1963)
- Limited Test Ban Treaty: Signed 1963, prohibiting atmospheric nuclear tests
- Both Leaders Sobered: Crisis led to more careful nuclear diplomacy
Lessons Learned
- Communication Essential: Led to establishment of hotline
- Brinkmanship Dangerous: Both sides came closer to war than intended
- Individual Decisions Matter: Arkhipov's refusal may have saved civilization
- Accidents Happen: Multiple near-misses despite careful planning
- Escalation Control: Hard to control once military forces mobilized
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest DEFCON level during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
DEFCON 2 was declared for Strategic Air Command on October 24, 1962. This is the highest confirmed DEFCON level ever reached and the only time DEFCON 2 was declared globally for SAC. It remained at DEFCON 2 for approximately one month.
How close did we come to nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis?
Extremely close. On "Black Saturday" (October 27, 1962), a Soviet submarine nearly launched a nuclear torpedo, a U-2 was shot down over Cuba, and another U-2 strayed into Soviet airspace. Any of these incidents could have triggered nuclear war. It is considered the closest humanity has come to nuclear annihilation.
How long did the Cuban Missile Crisis last?
The acute phase lasted 13 days, from October 16 (when Kennedy was informed) to October 28 (when Khrushchev announced withdrawal). However, DEFCON 2 was maintained for approximately one month, and the naval quarantine was not lifted until November 20, 1962.