[weegee]

Rep. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Texas) urged the use of nukes in Korea and elsewhere. A clip of his appeal to the American voter can be seen in the documentary The Atomic Cafe.

[syriacus]

Another similarity between the Iraq effort and the Korean effort
The Europeans criticized the war effort there.

They wanted us the world to concentrate on setting up European defenses.

Front page of Syracuse Herald-Journal from December 1, 1950

Marines Battling out of Red Trap
No need for A-bomb says MacArthur Aid*
'We won't be pushed out of Korea'

Must meet Red Challenge
'Facing heavy odds,' MacArthur asserts

Frankfurt, Germany (UP) -- Gen. Douglas MacArthur said today that his United Nations forces are fighting in Korea against military odds without precedent in history, and warned that failure to meet the Red challenge there will leave it to "be fought, and possibly lost, on the battlefieds of Europe."

I told the general that ... European statesmen ...saw war in Asia as a nightmare, retarding the successful organization of European defense. [snip]

As to the opinion in Europe, the general said: "There appears to be a general failure, intentional or from misinformation, to comprehend the mission prescribed for this command by resolutions of the United Nations of which their governments were joint architects and directors, or fairly to recognize that in success or adversity this command has proceeded unerringly in compliance with controlling policies and directives."

MacArthur said he could only attribute such comment to a "somewhat selfish, though most short-sighted, viewpoint.[snip]

"The issue is a global one and failure to comprehend this fact carries the germs of freedom's ultimate destruction. If the fight is not waged with courage and invincible determination to meet the challenge here, it will indeed be fought and possibly lost, on the battlefields of Europe."

*Truman had hinted that we might use the bomb.

[syriacus]

Truman hinted he might use the A-bomb, in December, 1950. A few days later, MacArthur said that would not be necessary.

I'll check the Bentsen clip to see when he suggested using the bomb.

Thanks for the information.

[syriacus]

I was in error when I wrote

Truman hinted he might use the A-bomb, in December, 1950.

The Mansfield News-Journal reported, November 30, 1950, that Truman had hinted at use of the bomb.