In the course of U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Germany from June 23 to 26, 1963, numerous American military personnel were involved in security and protocol operations. The United States maintained strong troop contingents in the Federal Republic of Germany at that time, which were regarded in the context of the Cold War as a visible sign of Western commitment to mutual defense. Kennedy’s visit served in no small part to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the defense of West Germany and West Berlin.