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Originally Posted by CaramonLS
I know that planning for the Bay of Pigs was already authorized by Ike during his presidency, that is really when the plan came into place and materialized. Kennedy inherited that CIA OP.
Missiles in Turkey, I'm not 100% sure about - whether or not it was negoitated by Ike or whether Kennedy had an intergral part in putting the missiles there, but both of those things happened in 1961, during the first year of his presidency.
Credit has to go to Kennedy, even if he might have gotten himself into the situation for ignoring the other options which were presented to him about the Cuban Missiles Crisis, which were being recommended by the Military, which included a full scale invasion and Stratigic bombing of the Missles. The stratigic bombing in particular would have been a disaster, since it turns out the U-2 planes hadn't fully scouted the entire island and it turns out there were already missiles in advanced stages of deployment. It could have easily led to a counter attack if he had chosen the military option.
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Well I suppose that in any case, Kennedy authorized both. Yes he should be given some credit for his handling of the crisis. But perhaps more should be given to the Soviets for backing down. If they hadn't I wonder if Kennedy's success would instead be seen as his worse failure.