In October 1962, American intelligence services learned that Soviet forces had begun deploying medium-range ballistic missiles on the island of Cuba. President John F. Kennedy and his administration, upon learning of the new nuclear threat just 90 miles from the coastline of the United States, began taking steps to force the removal of the weapons without starting World War III.

Tensions between the US and the Soviet Union reached frightening heights as October continued, bringing the two superpowers to the very brink of thermonuclear war.

The Kennedy administration initiated a naval “quarantine” designed to force ships carrying additional missiles to Cuba to turn around.

As the situation worsened, Americans rushed to prepare for potential conflict. They stocked up on food, tuned into television and radio broadcasts, and nervously awaited news or the sight of a rain of nuclear warheads that would mark the start of the Third World War.

As the crisis neared its crucial stage, a newspaper reporter named Carl Romanelli for the Standard-Speaker newspaper of Hazleton, Pennsylvania conducted a series of interviews with local residents about the crisis and their response to Kennedy’s policies on Cuba. The interviews are fascinating – they are shared below.

From Standard-Speaker’s final edition, Thursday, October 25, 1962:

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By CARL ROMANELLI
A sidewalk interview last night of more than a score of Hazleton area residents indicates that most people here are in accord with the quarantine blockade of Cuba imposed by President John F. Kennedy.

Kennedy imposed the blockade when it was learned a missile buildup is taking place in the dictator-controlled island 90 miles from the shores of the United States mainland.

Most of those interviewed realized that it is possible Kennedy’s stern disposition of the matter can lead to war. However, they agree that unless Communist advances had to be checked and this action will tend to do so.

Few persons expressed opposition to the presidential stand, declaring that it may bring war. They suggested negotiations as an alternative.

Opinions of those interviewed are as follows:

Paul Costas, 313 East Broad Street, West Hazleton:
The firm stand taken by Kennedy was the best thing that could have happened, not only for us in the United States, but to all the peoples of the free world. I believe that other nations that enjoy freedom will support us in this movement, as some have already indicated. This will serve as a checkpoint for Communist infiltration.

Atty. Roy N. LaRocca, city:
I believe the President’s action in the Cuban crisis is necessary and will be effective in preventing war rather than causing it. The arrogant Khrushchev and the insolent Castro should now understand that nuclear missile sites aimed at our nation appalls all Americans, and that we are steadfast in our determination never to exchange freedom for intimidation and tyranny.

Eleanor Strock, 872 North Locust Street:
Kennedy was elected as our president. He is our commander. Whatever decisions he hands down, we must abide by. I fully support him and hope all citizens of the United States do likewise.

Catherine Sarosky, Jeddo:
Kennedy has proven beyond a doubt that he will carry out his Constitutional duties in the best interests of the United States. The missile buildup in Cuba represents a great threat to our freedom. The president’s move to stop it proved he is a man of great wisdom, destined to protect the millions of Americans and free peoples of the world whom he serves as their leader.

Margaret Cudwadie, Liberty Court:
This is a very serious situation. I don’t know whether the president was right or wrong. We must negotiate, possibly the United Nations would be the best channel for such talks. Then, we must pray that things can be settled peacefully and war be avoided. The peoples of the world must learn to love each other, rather than to hate.

Theresa Tarapchak, 378 South Poplar Street:
I am in full accord with the President of the United States. After all, it is his duty to lead our destiny. It is in his hands and I am sure he will lead us on the right course.

John Mishkin, Ebervale:
The tide has turned on the Communistic method of infiltration. President Kennedy’s firmness, diplomacy and courage are to be admired. This proves that he will not tolerate any threat by those persons who think they can pull anything they wish on the United States. His decision to impose a quarantine blockade of Cuba was a good one. 

Atty. Rocco Falvello, city:
Definitely I support our President. However, I believe that aid to the invaders during the Bay of Pigs invasion last April would have been of great importance. If we had taken action then, we would not have to contend with the crisis of today.

Josephine Obert, 761 James Street:
I firmly support the action of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. I think his decision to stand firm to protect the freedom of our nation is justified at this time.

Dorothy Polanesky, 27 ½  East Diamond Avenue:
I am in agreement with President Kennedy. The action he has taken against the Red advances in this hemisphere was a very, very smart move. It should have been done earlier. I hope this issue can be settled at the bargaining table. I hope that someday the people of Cuba can be free from dictatorship.

Peter Burcak, Beaver Meadows:
I am behind the action of the president. I, like my fellow Americans, am tired of the day-to-day Communist pushing around of people who want to be free. Kennedy took a firm stand and undoubtedly Khrushchev will back down because he knows we mean business. Nobody wants war.

Pauline Stefanick, 1139 Centre Street, Freeland:
I think the president was very wise in his decision. He is fulfilling his duties as our leader in protecting the people of the United States and its democracy. I look upon this most recent action as a precautionary measure.

Atty. Conrad A. Falvello, city:
I support the present decision. It’s about time that we must go into Cuba and Berlin with full force and show them we mean business. We have paid a high price for freedom and democracy to let two small men like Khrushchev and Castro tamper with it.

Walter David, Conyngham:
My personal opinion is that we waited too long to avoid a conflict. However, I thought that drastic action such as this should have been done when Castro nationalized our industries on his soil. That would have been the proper time to strike the first blow.

Eleanor Komisarof, 201 West Diamond Avenue:
Not only do I back the action taken by our president, but I go further and state that a full-scale invasion will be the solution. We must be strong, we must be firm. We cannot tolerate any activity which tends to be or become a threat to the security of our great nation.

Paul Koval, 221 West Ninth Street:
As a sophomore student in high school, I cannot approve of such a rash decision as made by the president on the Cuban situation. I feel that such problems should be settled by negotiations. Strong action can lead to unnecessary nuclear war and destruction of mankind.

Ray Sherry, 601 Peace Street:
I am not in agreement with the president on his option of a quarantine blockade of Cuba. This situation should have been submitted to the United Nations for discussion and a peaceful settlement.

John Salata, 107 South Vine Street:
I think the president’s action was a step in the right direction which will probably check cold war advances by the Communistic element of the world. Our security was endangered by the military building in Cuba. Therefore, our president had no other alternative but to take a firm stand on the issue.

Louis Notaro, Rear 628 Monges Street:
I am 100 percent behind the president. It’s about time we put our foot down. I speak as a veteran. We fought for freedom and I am sure Kennedy will do everything within his power to protect it. I also believe that this can be settled by negotiations, but if this method fails then our only alternative is war.

Mrs. Joseph Fabian, Jim Thorpe:
I support the action of the president. I hope this action will bring peace instead of war.

Robert Rossi, 787 James Street:
I am in support of the stand taken by the president. We had to stop the Red threat sooner or later. The decision by our president will make the Communist leaders think twice before they try to pull anything on the U.S. again.

Anna Marie Kasarda, Main Street, Jeansville:
Kennedy has proved to the nation he is a man of wisdom. Also, I think he and his predecessors have been patient long enough with the Communist infiltration. But when they try to set up an offensive so close to our shores, then drastic action, like Kennedy has taken, is our only means.

Lawrence LeGrande, 126 East Oak Street:
As a Republican I support the directive of our Democratic president. This action could have been taken sooner, but instead, the administration has chosen to do it now. So I say, let’s all support our leaders in every way possible.

Rocco Genic, Tresckow:
Kennedy’s decision was a rough one to make, but it’s time to be firm and stop the Communist threat to America.

Joseph Brunette, 86 Pine Street:
I wholeheartedly approve of the president’s action. It shows Khrushchev, Castro, and any other dictator that the U.S. is no longer soft.

Angeline Culp, 763 James Street:
Khrushchev got away with too much during the past years. It’s about time our government took a stand to show him we mean business. The line has been drawn and I think the Soviet Union will back down since it realizes we will protect our nation and our people with the weapons, men, and war material at our disposal.

Joseph Lockwood, Tresckow:
As a veteran of two wars, I heartily endorse the action taken by Kennedy, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. His act against the Soviet Union and Cuba is only intended for our protection.

Carmen DeLese, 825 North James Street:
I very much support the stand of our president. He has shown the American people we will not tolerate anything that will jeopardize us. He also has shown Khrushchev and Castro that we won’t stand for any more of their “baloney.”

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Ultimately, Kennedy’s policy worked. Through negotiation with the Soviets, they withdrew the missiles from Cuba. The United States withdrew outdated missiles from Turkey in response. The Cuban Missile Crisis ended peacefully, with the entire world breathing a sigh of relief as the threat of nuclear annihilation returned to pre-crisis levels.

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Read our previous stories about the Cuban Missile Crisis

“Wait! Watch! Pray!” – The Cuban Missile Crisis

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