ohn F. Kennedy first learned about the construction of the missiles on Cuba at 8:45 AM on October 16, 1962, marking the start of the thirteen-day period titled the Cuban missile crisis (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum). John F. Kennedy was incensed that Nikita Khrushchev would dare to build missiles a mere 72 miles from the shore of the U.S., as many populous cities were in easy reach of the medium-range missiles. Soon after he composed an executive committee, which he titled Excomm, to debate upon the course of action (History.com Staff). The debates were about his three main options of action. One was to order an airstrike against the missiles in order to destroy them, but it was not guaranteed that they would all be taken
