Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume III, Vietnam, June–December 1965
Discussion on Ending the War and Deployment of Additional U.S. Forces, July 29-November 26, 1965: Document List
Document 98: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, July 29, 1965.
Source: Department of State, EA/ACA Files: Lot 69 D 412, Mai Van Bo 1965. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted by Dean and Bundy. Copies were sent to the Department of Defense for McNaughton and to CIA for Colby.
Document 99: Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State
New York, July 29, 1965, 2:54 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Exdis.
Document 100: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, July 30, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXVII, Memos (B). Top Secret.
Document 101: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers (Ackley) to President Johnson
Washington, July 30, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, White House Central Files, Ex ND 19/CO 312. No classification marking. There is an indication on the source text that Johnson saw the memorandum.
Document 102: Editorial Note
Document 103: Memorandum From the Ambassador-Designate to Vietnam (Lodge) to President Johnson
Washington, August 3, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII. No classification marking. McGeorge Bundy sent this memorandum to the President on August 3, under cover of a memorandum in which he observed: “Lansdale appears quite ready to take over MACV—and yet he's not all wrong. Can we afford some creative tension?”
Document 104: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, August 3, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Name File, President Eisenhower. Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Goodpaster.
Document 105: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, August 3, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Public Affairs Policy Committee. Confidential. Prepared by Gordon Chase of the NSC Staff on August 4.
Document 106: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, August 4, 1965, 9:30 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII. Confidential.
Document 107: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, August 5, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXVIII, Memos (B), 8/1-12/65. Top Secret.
Document 108: Memorandum from the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, August 5, 1965, 2:45 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII. Secret.
Document 109: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, August 5, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXVIII, Memos (B), 8/1-12/65. Top Secret.
Document 110: Summary Notes of the 554th Meeting of the National Security Council
Washington, August 5, 1965, 6 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings File, Vol. III. Top Secret; Sensitive; For the President Only. Prepared by Bromley Smith.
Document 111: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, August 6, 1965, 4:45-5 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII. Confidential. Drafted by McGeorge Bundy on August 11.
Document 112: Editorial Note
Document 113: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, August 6, 1965, 8:50 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET/XYZ. Secret; Immediate; Nodis; XYZ. Drafted by Gullion and cleared by Bohlen. See Document 112 for background information on the “XYZ” contacts.
Document 114: Telegram From the National Security Council Executive Secretary (Smith) to President Johnson, at Camp David, Maryland
Washington, August 7, 1965, 12:43 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXVIII, Cables. Secret. Received at 3:55 p.m. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the telegram.
Document 115: Editorial Note
Document 116: Memorandum From the Representative to the United Nations (Goldberg) to President Johnson
New York, August 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXIII, Cables. Secret. Goldberg sent this memorandum to the President on August 9, under cover of a letter in which he represented it as describing “how I believe a pause in the bombing of North Vietnam might be utilized in support of a mediation effort to determine whether we can get Hanoi to start unconditional discussions.” He noted that he had also sent copies of the memorandum to Rusk and McNamara, and he offered to discuss it with the President at his convenience. (Ibid.)
Document 117: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, August 10, 1965, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Public Affairs Policy Committee. Confidential. The meeting was held in Moyers' office. The source text bears no drafting information.
Document 118: Memorandum From the Ambassador-Designate to Vietnam (Lodge) to President Johnson
Washington, August 11, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Name File, President Eisenhower. Confidential. There is an indication on the source text that Johnson saw the memorandum.
Document 119: Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State
New York, August 12, 1965, 5:22 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis.
Document 120: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, August 13, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET/XYZ. Top Secret; Nodis; XYZ. The source text is a copy that was enclosed in a letter from Springsteen to McBride, November 3, together with copies of telegrams reporting on Gullion's (“X”) meetings with Mai Van Bo (“Rupert”) on August 18 and September 1. The copies do not include telegram numbers or times of transmission or receipt. Springsteen transmitted these copies and other documents to McBride at the request of Sturm (“Y”) so that they would be available to Sturm in Paris. In United States-Vietnam Relations, the meeting described in this telegram is incorrectly dated August 15. (Herring, Secret Diplomacy of the Vietnam War, p. 100)
Document 121: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, August 17, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 9:06 a.m.
Document 122: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, August 18, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET/XYZ. Top Secret; Nodis; XYZ. The source text is a copy that does not bear a telegram number or a time of transmission or receipt. For additional information, see the source note, Document 120.
Document 123: Memorandum of Meeting
Washington, August 19, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15-1 US/Johnson. Confidential. Drafted by William Bundy on August 26.
Document 124: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, August 23, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. Repeated to USUN. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:23 a.m. Ambassador Lodge arrived in Saigon on August 20 and presented his credentials on August 25.
Document 125: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Honolulu, August 23, 1965, 2:30 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. The source text is a copy sent to the Department of State.
Document 126: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, August 24, 1965, 8 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII. No classification marking.
Document 127: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, August 26, 1965, 12:41 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC.
Document 128: Memorandum for President Johnson
Washington, undated.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXXIX, Memos. Secret; Limdis. There is no drafting information on the source text, which indicates that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 129: Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations
Washington, August 27, 1965, 1:41 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by William Bundy and David H. Popper of IO on August 26 and cleared by Sisco of IO and Ruth Bacon of FE. Repeated to Saigon, London, Ottawa, Canberra, and Bangkok. At 2:55 p.m. on August 27, McGeorge Bundy sent a copy of this cable to the President, noting in a covering memorandum that the response to Thant had been coordinated with the South Vietnamese Government by Ambassador Lodge, and had been prepared in close collaboration with Goldberg. Bundy added: “Dean Rusk and I consider that this entire paper represents no modification of our position, but only a careful and diplomatically skillful statement of it for U Thant's eyes.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XIII)
Document 130: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Washington, August 27, 1965.
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ADMIN Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Viet 381. Top Secret.
Document 131: Letter From the Ambassador to Vietnam (Lodge) to President Johnson
Saigon, August 31, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Lodge Letters to the President. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Received in the White House and delivered to the President on September 2. (Telegram 614 to Saigon, September 2; ibid.)
Document 132: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, September 1, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietrnam, Vol. XI, Memos (A). Top Secret.
Document 133: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, September 1, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET/XYZ. Top Secret; Nodis; XYZ. The source text is a copy that does not bear a telegram number or a time of transmission or receipt. For additional information, see the source note, Document 120. In United States-Vietnam Relations, the meeting described in this telegram is incorrectly dated September 3. (Herring, Secret Diplomacy of the Vietnam War, pp. 106-107)
Document 134: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 4, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:51 a.m.
Document 135: Memorandum From the President's Consultant on Vietnam (Taylor) to President Johnson
Washington, September 7, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Memos. Secret. Regarding Taylor's role as a part-time consultant to the President, see Swords and Plowshares, pp. 358-366.
Document 136: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton) to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Washington, September 8, 1965.
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ADMIN Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Vietnam 381. Top Secret.
Document 137: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Policy Planning Council (Rostow) to Secretary of State Rusk
Washington, September 8, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Vietnam Working Group Files: Lot 72 D 219, Rolling Thunder Memos, 1965. Secret. Copies were sent to Unger and McGeorge Bundy. The source text is Unger's unsigned copy; McGeorge Bundy's signed copy is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Cables.
Document 138: Memorandum by Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff
Washington, September 10, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 41-Pt. Program in Non-Military Sphere in SVN. Secret.
Document 139: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, September 12, 1965, 11:45 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, President's Appointment File, September 13, 1965. Top Secret; Sensitive.
Document 140: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, September 13, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, President's Appointment File, September 13, 1965. Top Secret. Prepared by Califano.
Document 141: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, September 14, 1965, 7:44 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis. Drafted by William Bundy, approved in draft by McGeorge Bundy and McNamara, and approved by Ball. A September 12 draft of this telegram with handwritten revisions by McGeorge Bundy is in the Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Memos. The substantive changes by McGeorge Bundy are indicated in footnotes below.
Document 142: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)
Washington, September 15, 1965.
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ADMIN Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Vietnam 381. Top Secret.
Document 143: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 15, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate the time of transmission; the telegram was received at 6:36 a.m. Lodge sent this unnumbered telegram to the Department of State with instructions to pass it to the White House, but a note on the source text indicates that it was not.
Document 144: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 18, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 6:08 a.m.
Document 145: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, September 20, 1965.
Source: U.S. Military History Institute, Johnson Papers, Close Hold File No. 3. Top Secret. Drafted by Abrams on September 27.
Document 146: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 22, 1965, 3 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Received at 3:37 a.m. and passed to the White House. There is an indication on another copy of this telegram that the President saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Cables)
Document 147: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, September 22, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Secret.
Document 148: Special National Intelligence Estimate
Washington, September 22, 1965.
Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 72 D 139, SNIE 10-11-65. Top Secret; Sensitive. A note on the cover sheet indicates that the Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State and Defense and NSA participated in drafting the estimate. All members of the USIB concurred except the representatives of the AEC and FBI, who abstained because the subject was outside their jurisdiction.
Document 149: Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, September 22, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Memos (A). Top Secret.
Document 150: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, September 23, 1965, 3 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Secret.
Document 151: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, September 23, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Top Secret. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the memorandum.
Document 152: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson
Washington, September 24, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Memos (A). Secret. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw this memorandum.
Document 153: Memorandum From the National Security Council Executive Secretary (Smith) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, September 24, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XL, Memos. Top Secret.
Document 154: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, September 26, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret. Drafted by Thompson and approved in S/AL on September 27.
Document 155: Memorandum for the Record
Washington, September 29, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, President's Appointment File, Sept. 29, 1965. Top Secret. Prepared by Califano.
Document 156: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 30, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:02 a.m. A retyped copy of this telegram indicates that the President saw the telegram. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV)
Document 157: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, September 30, 1965, 6:40 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority. Received at 9:27 a.m. and passed to the White House, Department of Defense, and CIA.
Document 158: Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson
New York, September 30, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Top Secret; Nodis; Eyes Only. Also sent to Acting Secretary Ball. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw this memorandum. Rusk and Gromyko were at the United Nations for the 20th session of the General Assembly.
Document 159: Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton)
Washington, October 1, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron. Top Secret. McNaughton passed a copy of this letter to the JCS on October 6. (Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ADMIN Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Vietnam 381)
Document 160: Memorandum of Conversation
New York, October 7, 1965, 4 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Emmett B. Ford, Jr., of the Office of German Affairs on October 8 and approved in S on October 13. The meeting was held at USUN.
Document 161: Editorial Note
Document 162: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 8, 1965, 6 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Exdis. Repeated to USUN, Moscow, and Budapest.
Document 163: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, October 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Confidential.
Document 164: Paper by the Ambassador at Large (Thompson)
Washington, October 11, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XVI, Memos (A). Secret. Thompson sent this paper to Bundy under cover of a memorandum that reads: “The attached report was largely prepared in State and was reviewed by General Taylor, Mr. McNaughton, Mr. William Bundy, Mr. Unger and myself.
Document 165: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 13, 1965, 1:30 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 VIET S. Confidential. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.
Document 166: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 13, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 6:40 a.m. Bundy sent the President a retyped copy of this telegram on October 14 under cover of a memorandum that reads: “We are puzzled by his conversation with Thieu—in the sense that we see no reason why the Viet Cong should be able to win politically in a fair fight if they are as unpopular as we all believe. I am having a further analysis made on this point. Otherwise, an interesting report.
Document 167: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 13, 1965, 8:30 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-7 VIET. Secret; Exdis.
Document 168: Memorandum of Conversation
Washington, October 14, 1965, 8 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Lisle and approved in S on November 26. The source text is labeled “Part I of III.” The meeting was held in the James Madison Room of the Department of State.
Document 169: Editorial Note
Document 170: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 20, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central File, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:26 a.m.
Document 171: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 20, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate the time of transmission; the telegram was received at 2:40 a.m. McGeorge Bundy sent a retyped copy of this telegram to the President under cover of an October 20 memorandum that states that Lodge “sheds more light this time on the shape of the political problem. In this sense, it is a better report than last week's, though the more we learn of the problem the harder the job looks.” Bundy noted that “good reporters coming back from Vietnam are optimistic as they have never been before. I have talked at some length with both Joe Alsop and Warren Rogers—listened rather than talked—and both of them are encouraging.
Document 172: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 20, 1965, 5:05 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to USUN and CINCPAC for POLAD. Received at 5:52 a.m.
Document 173: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 20, 1965, 4:40 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-7 VIET. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.
Document 174: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, October 20, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Negotiation. Secret; Eyes Only.
Document 175: Letter From the Representative to the United Nations (Goldberg) to President Johnson
New York, October 20, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Negotiation. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that the original letter was in the U.N.-Goldberg correspondence file.
Document 176: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, October 21, 1965, 6 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Exdis. Received at 8:37 a.m. and passed to the White House.
Document 177: Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State
Paris, October 21, 1965, 6 p.m.
Source: Department of State, EA/ACA Files: Lot 69 D 412, Mai Van Bo, 1965. Secret; Limdis. Received at 6:08 p.m.
Document 178: Draft Paper by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, October 22, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Top Secret. According to a typed notation on the source text this was a second draft. A copy of the first, dated October 20, is in the Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ADMIN Files: FRC 70 A 1265, Vietnam 380.
Document 179: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, October 22, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 41-Point Program in Non-Military Sphere in SVN. Secret.
Document 180: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, October 22, 1965, 3:20 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Name File, President Eisenhower. Top Secret. President Johnson wrote the following note on the source text: “See me on this. L”
Document 181: Paper by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, October 23, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Top Secret. According to a note attached to another copy of this paper, William Bundy sent it “Strictly Eyes Only” to Ball, McGeorge Bundy, and Thompson on October 26. (Department of State, Bundy Papers: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron)
Document 182: Memorandum From the Administrator, Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs (Schwartz) to Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff
Washington, October 25, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Secret. Also sent to McNaughton, William Bundy, Unger, Meeker, and Assist-ant Secretary of State for Public Affairs James L. Greenfield. Drafted by Frank A. Sieverts, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.
Document 183: Draft Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, October 26, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Secret. There is no indication on the source text that this message was sent.
Document 184: Intelligence Memorandum
Washington, October 27, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLI, Memos (A). Secret; No Foreign Dissem [text not declassified]. Disseminated by the Directorate of Intelligence.
Document 185: Editorial Note
Document 186: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, November 2, 1965, 7:40 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 VIET S. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.
Document 187: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, November 3, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 5:34 a.m. McGeorge Bundy sent a retyped copy of this telegram to the President with the observation that it was “more cheerful than usual.” There is an indication on the White House copy that the President saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVI)
Document 188: Letter From the Ambassador to Vietnam (Lodge) to President Johnson
Saigon, November 3, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVI. Secret. McGeorge Bundy sent this letter to the President under cover of a November 8 memorandum that reads as follows: “Here is a letter which has just come in from Cabot Lodge for you. I have taken the liberty of giving copies to Rusk and McNamara only, because Lodge's views are deeply relevant to the discussions now going forward. I have not sent a copy to Arthur Goldberg because I am afraid it would only stir him to a very strong reaction. On the other hand, it may be useful for Arthur to know Saigon's thinking. Which do you prefer? “The memorandum, which has an indication that Johnson saw it, did not show the President's preference. (Ibid., Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLII, Memos (B))
Document 189: Draft Memorandum From Secretary of Defense McNamara to President Johnson
Washington, November 3, 1965.
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, South Vietnam, Statements and Supporting Papers. Top Secret. Designated as “1st rough draft.” McNamara wrote the following note on the source text: “A copy of this was sent to the Pres. by courier through Mac's office on 11/7 and discussed with him by me, Dean, George, and Mac on 11/7. RMcN” According to the President's Daily Diary, the President's meeting with McNamara, Rusk, Ball, and McGeorge Bundy was held at the LBJ Ranch in Texas on November 11, not November 7. See Document 189 regarding the meeting. The President was at the LBJ Ranch October 23-November 14, recovering from surgery. (Johnson Library) The copy of this memorandum in the Johnson Library has a covering memorandum by McNaughton, who hand-delivered it to McGeorge Bundy on November 4. McNaughton informed Bundy that Rusk and Ball were also getting copies and related McNamara's desire that Bundy not show this memorandum to anyone else without telephoning McNamara first. (Ibid., National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLII, Memos (B)) In The Vantage Point (pp. 233-234), Johnson describes this memorandum and recalls that his “first reaction” to it was “one of deep skepticism.”
Document 190: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Rusk and the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, November 7, 1965, 12:55 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking. Transcribed by Mildred Asbjornson. A handwritten note on the source text reads: “Amb Johnson was present for the call.”
Document 191: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, November 7, 1965, 2:33 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XV. Top Secret; Eyes Only; Nodis. The President was at the LBJ Ranch.
Document 192: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson, in Texas
Washington, November 8, 1965, 11:42 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol XV. Top Secret. President Johnson was at the LBJ Ranch. There is an indication on the source text that the President saw the telegram.
Document 193: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, November 8, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 8:07 a.m. 1623. Eyes only for Bundy. I called on Archbishop Palmas and said that nothing could be said or done as far as I was concerned unless I could see the so called “letter of credentials”.
Document 194: Memorandum for President Johnson
Washington, November 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLII, Memos (A). Top Secret. On a covering index listing the nine sections of this memorandum, a handwritten note reads as follows: “The Secretary (from Ambassador Johnson).” A handwritten note by McNaughton on the Department of Defense copy indicates that U. Alexis Johnson was the author of the memorandum. (United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 6, Part IV, C, 7 (a), footnote 31)
Document 195: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton) to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Washington, November 9, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLII, Memos (A). Top Secret; Eyes Only.
Document 196: Letter From the Consul General in Hong Kong (Rice) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)
Hong Kong, November 9, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, Correspondence with the Field, June 1965. Secret; Official-Informal. A copy was sent to INR Director Hughes.
Document 197: Letter From Secretary of State Rusk to the Ambassador to Vietnam (Lodge)
Washington, November 10, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XLII, Memos (A). Personal and Secret; Nodis.
Document 198: Editorial Note
Document 199: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, November 11, 1965, 8:14 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC.
Document 200: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Washington, November 12, 1965, 9:23 p.m.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-7 VIET. Secret. Drafted by Schwartz; cleared by Unger, Meeker, Sieverts, and Robert H. Miller, Director of the Vietnam Working Group; and approved by Rusk.
Document 201: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Saigon, November 17, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 7:21 a.m. McGeorge Bundy sent President Johnson a retyped copy of this telegram under cover of a November 17 memorandum that reads: “Here is Lodge's weekly telegram. He lays proper emphasis on the fact that this week it is the military developments that are the most interesting, but paragraph 4 on rural construction is of equal long-run importance.” There is an indication on the copy of the telegram that the President saw it. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. XVI)
Document 202: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Washington, November 17, 1965, 6:15 p.m.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 6AA, High Level Comments re Bombing Pauses. No classification marking.
Document 203: Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State
Rio de Janeiro, November 18, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27-14 VIET. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis. The source text does not indicate a time of transmission; the telegram was received at 10:13 a.m.
Document 204: Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Washington, November 19, 1965.
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, 41-Pt. Program in Non-Military Sphere in SVN. Secret.
Document 205: Draft Memorandum From Secretary of State Rusk to President Johnson
Washington, November 24, 1965.
Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron. Top Secret. Drafted by William Bundy and described on the source text as “Final Draft.” The President was at the LBJ Ranch in Texas November 19-December 12.
Document 206: Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Acting Secretary of State Ball and Secretary of Defense McNamara
Washington, November 23, 1965, 10:10 a.m.
Source: Johnson Library, Papers of George Ball, Telephone Conversations, Vietnam. No classification marking.
Document 207: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (Sisco) to Acting Secretary of State Ball
Washington, November 24, 1965.
Source: Department of State, EA/ACA Files: Lot 69 D 412, Vietnam Negotiations, Fanfani. Secret; Eyes Only. Copies were sent to U. Alexis Johnson and William Bundy.