Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume I, Vietnam, 1961

Vietnam, 1961: Document List

Document 1: Paper Prepared by the Country Team Staff Committee

Saigon, [January 4, 1961.]

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/1-461. Secret. The Country Team Staff Committee was chaired by Mendenhall and composed of officers from MAAG, USOM, USIS, OSA, and the Embassy. Transmitted as enclosure 1 to despatch 276 from Saigon, January 4.

Document 2: Editorial Note

Document 3: Summary Record of a Meeting, The White House

Washington, January 28, 1961, 10 a.m–12:15 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/1-2861. Secret. Drafted and initialed by Parsons. Although the source text indicates the meeting began at 11:45 a.m., according to the President's Log Book and Rusk's Appointment Book, the meeting began at 10 a.m., and Lansdale and Parsons did not join until 10:45. (Kennedy Library, President's Log Book; Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Book) For another account of the meeting, see the memorandum from Rostow, infra. Parsons in his oral history interview incorrectly dates this meeting on January 21 or 22. (Kennedy Library, Oral History Program, J. Graham Parsons)In a memorandum to Dulles, Rusk, and McNamara, January 27, McGeorge Bundy reported that the meeting was called to discuss Cuba and Vietnam, the latter because of the President's “keen interest in General Lansdale's recent report and his awareness of the high importance of this country.” (Ibid., National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series)

Document 4: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, January 30, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Top Secret. Initialed by Rostow, who attended the January 28 meeting, although not listed as a participant in Parsons' memorandum, Document 3.

Document 5: Notes on a Meeting Between the Secretary of State and the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Parsons)

Washington, January 28, 1961, 6:47 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Vietnam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 20 General Lansdale, V-N 1961. Secret. Drafted by Wood. The source text is Wood's handwritten notes.

Document 6: Letter From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to President Diem

Washington, January 30, 1961.

Source: Hoover Institution, Lansdale Papers, Chron File, D.

Document 7: Remarks by the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (McGarr)

Saigon, January 30, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 334, MAAG/Vietnam Files: FRC 64 A 2424, 250/17 Emergency Planning Files. Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text. The remarks were made by General McGarr at a meeting with his senior advisers.

Document 8: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, January 31, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/1-3161. Secret; Limit Distribution. According to another copy, this telegram was drafted by Durbrow. (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878) Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 9: National Security Action Memorandum No. 12

Washington, February 6, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAMs. Presumably the memorandum is from the President.

Document 10: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, February 8, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/2-861. Confidential. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Singapore, Vientiane, CINCPAC for PolAd, London, and Paris.

Document 11: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, February 13, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/2-1361. Secret. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, London, Paris, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 12: Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Under Secretary of State (Bowles) and the Vietnamese Ambassador (Chuong), Department of State

Washington, February 13, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/2-1361. Confidential. Drafted by Wood on February 15 and approved in U on February 17. A summary of the conversation was transmitted to Saigon in telegram 1088, February 15. (Ibid., 790.00/ 2-1561) A briefing memorandum for the meeting by Parsons, February 13, is ibid., Vietnam Task Force Files: Lot 66 D 193, 16. USA, GVN 1961.

Document 13: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, February 21, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/2-2161. Secret. Drafted by Wood and initialed by White. A summary of the conversation was transmitted to Saigon in telegram 1106, February 24. (Ibid., 751K.00/2-2461) A briefing memorandum for the meeting, dated February 15, is ibid., Vietnam Task Force Files: Lot 66 D 193, 1-A.2 Briefing Papers, GVN 1961.

Document 14: Editorial Note

Document 15: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, February 28, 1961, 7 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/2-2861. Confidential. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, London, Paris, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 16: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, March 1, 1961, 8:50 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/1-2561. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood on February 24; cleared with Anderson, Cleveland, Steeves, Rice, Admiral Heinz, SPA, S, S/S, and ICA; and approved by Parsons. Also sent to CINCPAC for PolAd and repeated to Paris for Nolting.

Document 17: Letter From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (McGarr) to the Director of Military Assistance, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Palmer)

Saigon, March 3, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files FRC 64 A 2382, Vietnam 1961, 370.5-384. secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text.

Document 18: Letter From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (McGarr) to Secretary of State for the Presidency Thuan

Saigon, March 13, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files FRC 66 A 878, Durbrow Demarches. Confidential. Attached to a memorandum from McGarr to Durbrow, March 13, which stated that the letter to Thuan had been less pointed than McGarr had wanted in order to protect his source of information.

Document 19: Memorandum From the President's Military Aide (Clifton) to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, March 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Confidential. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text.

Document 20: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Washington, March 16, 1961, 7 p. m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/3-1661. Secret. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, London, Paris for Nolting, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 21: Memorandum of a Conversation, Embassy Residence

Bangkok, March 27, 1961, 7:30 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1823. Confidential. Drafted by Durbrow on March 29 and approved in S on April 4. Rusk and Durbrow were in Bangkok for the SEATO Council meeting, March 27-29.

Document 22: National Intelligence Estimate

Washington, March 28, 1961.

Source: Johnson Library, VP Security Files, Nations and Regions Series, Program of Action for Vietnam. Secret. Submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence and concurred in by the U.S. Intelligence Board on March 28.

Document 23: Editorial Note

Document 24: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, April 3, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, President's Office File, Counterinsurgency. Secret. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 25: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, April 8, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/4-861. Confidential. Drafted by Ruff.

Document 26: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, April 11, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 71 A 6489, VN(Sensitive). Secret. Printed also in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 19-21. The source text bears the stamp “Sec Def has seen.”

Document 27: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, April 12, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Vietnam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 20 US Govt, GVN 1961. Secret. Printed also in Declassified Documents, 1975, p. 329B. Attached to the source text was a note initialed by Anderson which reads: “Mr. Nolting, this is further evidence of high-level interest in your country.” The note was also initialed by Nolting.

Document 28: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, April 12, 1961, 4 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/4-1261. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 29: Memorandum on the Substance of Discussion at a Department of State-Joint Chiefs of Staff Meeting

Washington, April 14, 1961, 11:30 a.m.

Source: Department of State, State JCS Meetings: Lot 65 D 172. Top Secret. State Department draft undated, not cleared with Department of Defense.

Document 30: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, April 15, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Secret. Printed also in Declassified Documents, 1975, p. 329C.

Document 31: Editorial Note

Document 32: Program for the Presidential Task Force on Vietnam

Washington, April 22, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD(C)(A) Files: FRC 77-131, VN Task Force 1961 (Folder 1). Secret; Sensitive. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text. The program was circulated at the first meeting of the Task Force on April 24. Regarding this meeting, see infra.

Document 33: Draft Notes on the First Meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Vietnam, the Pentagon

Washington, April 24, 1961, 10 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Vietnam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 20. General Lansdale. V-N 1961. Secret. The drafter is not identified.

Document 34: Letter From President Kennedy to President Diem

Washington, April 26, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files FRC 66 A 878, 350 GVN Elections. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text. Attached to the source text was a brief covering note from Durbrow to Diem dated April 29. The text of the letter was transmitted to Saigon in telegram 1306, April 26. (Department of State, Presidential Correspondence Lot 66 D 476)

Document 35: Editorial Note

Document 36: Memorandum for the Record by the Chief of Naval Operations (Burke)

Washington, April 28, 1961.

Source: Naval Historical Center, Burke Papers. Top Secret; Hold Closely.

Document 37: Memorandum From the President's Special Counsel (Sorensen) to the President

Washington, April 28, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 65 A 3078, Vietnam. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text.

Document 38: Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, April 28, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Top Secret. On April 28, Robert H. Johnson also sent a memorandum to Rostow commenting on the program for Vietnam. Johnson prefaced his remarks by saying that it seemed to lack a clear plan of political action for South Vietnam. For text of his memorandum, see Declassified Documents, 1975, p. 277C.

Document 39: Memorandum From the Ambassador-Designate to Vietnam (Nolting) to the Secretary of State

Washington, April 29, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/4-2961. Top Secret. Drafted and initialed by Nolting and Cottrell. Also sent to Under Secretary Bowles.

Document 40: Editorial Note

Document 41: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam (McGarr) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt)

Saigon, May 6, 1961, 5:49 p.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 68 A 5159, SGN(61)12—Laos Consolidated. Top Secret; Priority.

Document 42: Memorandum From the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric) to the President

Washington, May 3, 1961.

Source: Departmegnt of State, Central Files, 611.51K/5-361. Top Secret. The source text was attached to a memorandum from Ball to Rusk, Bowles, Johnson, McGhee, and McConaughy, May 3, noting that the enclosed memorandum was a Department of State draft and that differences with Defense remained to be ironed out. Also attached to the source text was a note stating that Rusk had discussed the organizational differences with McNamara without result and that they would discuss them further with the President on May 5 before the NSC meeting. The underscored sections are additions to the earlier drafts cited in Document 35.

Document 43: Draft Memorandum of the Conversation of the Second Meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Vietnam, the Pentagon

Washington, May 4, 1961.

Source: Department of State, G/PM Files: Lot 64 D 354. Top Secret. Drafted by Weiss.

Document 44: Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, May 4, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret. Also sent to Rostow. Printed in part in Declassified Documents, 1963, p. 33.

Document 45: Editorial Note

Document 46: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, May 5, 1961.

Source: Naval Historical Center, Burke Papers. Top Secret; Hold Closely. Presumably drafted by Burke.

Document 47: Telegram From the Chairman (Lemnitzer) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Seoul, May 8, 1961, 2:39 p.m.

Document 48: Editorial Note

Document 49: Letter From the Deputy Assistant Director, Far East, of the United States Information Agency (Nickel) to the Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy in Viet-Nam (Anspacher)

Washington, May 9, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records center, RG 34, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 335. Program Direction Secret; Official-Informal; For Addressee Only.

Document 50: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt)

Saigon, May 10, 1961, 7:30 p.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 68 A 5159, SGN(61)19-GVN. Top Secret.

Document 51: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, May 10, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text.

Document 52: National Security Action Memorandum No. 52

Washington, May 11, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 70 D 264, NSAM Follow-up Reports. Top Secret. Information copies were also sent to the Departments of Defense and the Treasury, CIA, USIA, ICA, and the Bureau of the Budget. Also printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 136-137.

Document 53: Editorial Note

Document 54: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, May 13, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/5-1361. Secret; Priority. According to another copy, this telegram was drafted by Mendenhall and cleared with Nolting. (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, 361.1) Also sent to CINCPAC for PolAd and repeated to Manila, Taipei, and Phnom Penh.

Document 55: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, May 15, 1961, 2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.1100-JO/5-1561. Secret; Priority. According to another copy, this telegram was drafted by Mendenhall and cleared by Nolting. (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, 361.1) Repeated to Hong Kong, Bangkok, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 56: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, May 20, 1961, 7:41 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/5-2061. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted and signed for the Acting Secretary by Cottrell and cleared with McConaughy and S/S. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd. Also printed in Declassified Documents, 1978, p. 112A. Telegram 1422, May 20, advised that the Presidential Program transmitted here listed only those items specifically approved by the President, most of which were extracted from the Task Force Report (see footnote 2, Document 51, and Document 42). It also advised the Embassy in Saigon that Task Force traffic should be slugged Task Force VN with the appropriate paragraph number corresponding to the Presidential Program. (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/5-2061)

Document 57: Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State

Bangkok, May 20, 1961, 9 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.110-JO/5-2061. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Athens. Young accompanied the Vice President on his visit to Saigon, Manila, Taipei, and Bangkok.

Document 58: Telegram From the Embassy in Thailand to the Department of State

Bangkok, May 22, 1961, 10 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 379/5-2261. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Saigon, Wellington, Karachi, Canberra, Manila, Vientiane, London. Paris. and Geneva.

Document 59: Paper Prepared by the Vice President

Washington, undated.

Source: Department of State, Viet-Nam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 22.1 Vice President's Trip, GVN 1961. Secret. The source text was an attachment to Johnson's memorandum to the President, May 23, reporting on his mission to Asia. The text is printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 159-166. It is not clear whether this paper was intended to be an annex to the memorandum to the President, a draft of the memorandum itself, or the report from which the Vice President briefed the Cabinet on May 25. The copy of the memorandum to the President in OSD Files also has this attachment, but copies in the Johnson Library and the Policy Planning Files do not. (Washington National Records Center, RG 330; FRC 65 A 3078; Johnson Library, VP Security Files, VP Visit to SE Asia; and Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, Asia 1961)

Document 60: Report by the Vice President

Washington, undated.

Source: University of Montana, Mansfield Papers, Series XXII, Box 110, Folder 3. Secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text. A copy of this report was sent to Nolting by Cottrell as an enclosure to a letter dated May 29, along with the memorandum to the President, dated May 23; see footnote 1, Document 59. Cottrell noted in the covering letter that the President's brother-in-law, Stephen Smith, had briefed him on the previous day about the visit to Saigon. (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, 350 GVN-TF)

Document 61: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, May 26, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 62: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, May 26, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/5-2661. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok and to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 63: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, May 26, 1961, 11:40 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751G.00/5-2261. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood; cleared with McConaughy, Admiral Heinz, Johnson (G), L, NEA, EUR, IO, and S/S; and signed by Secretary Rusk. Also sent to London, Ottawa, Paris, and New Delhi and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, and Geneva.

Document 64: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, May 27, 1961, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/5-2761. Confidential; Priority. Also sent to CINCPAC for PolAd and Vientiane and repeated to London, Ottawa, Paris, Geneva, New Delhi, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh.

Document 65: Memorandum From the President to the Secretary of State

Washington, May 27, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1883. Attached to a memorandum from G to S/O, June 1, which stated that the President made a similar request to the Secretary of Defense and that the Vice President made an oral request along these lines.

Document 66: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, June 7, 1961, 5:45 p.m.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961, Eyes Only Messages In. Secret: Eyes Only; Exclusive.

Document 67: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, June 9, 1961, 8 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/6-961. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 68: Editorial Note

Document 69: Memorandum of a Conversation, The White House

Washington, June 14, 1961, 10:15 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/6-1461. Secret. Drafted by Wood, cleared by McConaughy, and approved by the White House on July 22. A summary of the conversation was transmitted to Saigon in telegram 1526, June 15. (Ibid., 751K.5-MSP/6-1561) McConaughy had a similar conversation with Thuan at 5:30 on June 13. A summary of this conversation was transmitted to Saigon in telegram 1525, June 15. (Ibid.)

Document 70: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, June 14, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/6-1461. Secret. Also sent to CINCPAC for PolAd and repeated to London and Kuala Lumpur.

Document 71: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, June 16, 1961, 8:25 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/6-1461. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Cottrell, Fowler, and Furst (ICA); cleared with McConaughy and ICA; and signed for the Secretary by Cottrell. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 72: Editorial Note

Document 73: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric)

Washington, June 26, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 71 A 6489, Viet-1. Secret. Copies also sent to McNamara, Heinz, and Levy. The source text bears the stamped notation: “(SecDef has seen)”.

Document 74: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt), to the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Honolulu, June 26, 1961, 12:34 p.m.

Source: Department of State, G/PM Files: Lot 64 D 354. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to the Departments of State and Defense and three military installations. The copy printed here is the one sent to the Department of State.

Document 75: Editorial Note

Document 76: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, June 28, 1961, noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/6-2861. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd. Received at 3:17 a.m., June 28.

Document 77: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, June 28, 1961, 8:19 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 7slK 5-MSP/6-2861 Secret; Niact. Drafted by Wood and Furst (ICA) and cleared with Heinz, Cottrell, B/FAC, FE, and ICA. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 78: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric)

Washington, June 30, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 71 A 6489, Viet 091. Secret. Signed “Ed”. Copies also sent to McNamara, Heinz, and Levy.

Document 79: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, June 30, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/~3061. Secret. Drafted by Ainsworth and initialed by McConaughy.

Document 80: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Wood) to the Director of the Task Force (Cottrell)

Washington, July 1, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Viet-Nam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, VN 1961 TF/10 thru 21. Secret.

Document 81: Editorial Note

Document 82: Letter From the Acting Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric) to the Secretary of State

Washington, July 3, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAMs. Top Secret.

Document 83: Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Smith) and the President's Military Aide (Clifton), The White House

Washington, July 3, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 84: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, July 3, 1961, 5:27 p. m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.oo/7-361. Secret; Priority. In telegram 12 to Saigon, July 4, the Department asked the Embassy to insert in the text an additional sentence-the second sentence in the fifth paragraph of text as printed here. (Ibid., 751K.00/7-461) In telegram 18 from Saigon, July 5, the Embassy referred to both telegrams 8 and 12 from the Department and reported that the President's letter was delivered to Thuan that day, but since Diem was unavailable there was no reaction to report. (Ibid., 751K.00/7-561) No copy of the letter delivered on July 5 has been found.

Document 85: Memorandum From the Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Cottrell) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (McConaughy)

Washington, July 8, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series Secret. Drafted by Cottrell and Wood. The source text is attached to a typewritten note of July 11 from Robert H. Johnson to Rostow, in which he wrote the text was a “bootleg copy” for Rostow's private information pending receipt of a copy through regular channels. Johnson gave the following appraisal of the memorandum:

Document 86: Editorial Note

Document 87: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, July 10, 1961, 9:45 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/7-1061. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Cottrell and Wood, cleared with McConaughy, initialed by Cottrell for the Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC.

Document 88: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the Secretary of State

Washington, July 13, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/7-1361. Secret. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 89: Paper Prepared by the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr)

Saigon, July 13, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret. Attached to a memorandum of July 13 from McGarr to Nolting, in which McGarr said he was commenting on specific military questions raised in telegram 38 to Saigon, July 10. (Document 87) Both the source text and the covering memorandum are apparently copies furnished Rostow who then passed them on to Taylor. In the margin of the covering memorandum is written the following note: “General Taylor. You will wish to read this. Walt.”

Document 90: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, July 14, 1961, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1551K/7-1461. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 91: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, July 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General. Secret.

Document 92: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, July 14, 1961, 7 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/7-1461. Secret, Priority Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Vientiane, Bangkok, London, Geneva for FECON, Phnom Penh, and Paris.

Document 93: Letter From the Vietnam and United States Special Financial Groups to Presidents Diem and Kennedy

Saigon, July 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-Rostow Report Second Try. Secret. The attached report, along with this covering letter, are printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 182-209.

Document 94: Paper Prepared by the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, July 15, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Regional Security Southeast Asia-Rostow Report Second Try. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that Lemnitzer accepted Taylor's suggestions.

Document 95: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, July 16, 1961, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.15s1K/7-1661. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 96: Editorial Note

Document 97: Letter From Secretary of State for the Presidency Thuan to the Deputy Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Wood)

Saigon, July 18, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files ERC 66 A 878, TF VN 1961. Confidential.

Document 98: Memorandum of a Conversation

Washington, July 18, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Regional Security Southeast Asia-General. Secret. Prepared by Rostow on July 19. A note on the source text indicates that the original was sent to the President and copies to Taylor, Robert H. Johnson, and Steeves.

Document 99: Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Washington, July 19, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, North Viet-Nam 1961 000.1. Top Secret. Drafted by J.W. Clinton and Robert H.B. Wade, Director of ISA's Coordinating Staff for NSC and Collateral Activities. According to Wade's note on the interoffice control sheet attached to the source text, there was a discussion at the Planning Group luncheon on July 5 of the military problems connected with intervention in Vietnam. During the course of the discussion, the Department of Defense was asked to make a study of the consequences of a naval blockade of North Vietnam.

Document 100: Memorandum From Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington. July 20, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 101: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, July 21, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-27-71. Top Secret. Signed “Ed”. Initialed by Taylor with the notation “To SE Asia file.” Copies were sent to McNamara and Gilpatric.

Document 102: Paper Prepared by the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, July 21, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-Rostow Report Second Try. Secret.

Document 103: Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions

Washington, July 22, 1961–14:31 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 790.5-MSP/7-2261. Confidential. Drafted by Claxton (H) and Swezey (FE/SEA), cleared with S/S and with Usher (FE/ SEA) and Cleveland (FE/SEA), initialed by Peterson (FE) for the Secretary, and sent to Bangkok, CINCPAC for PolAd, Manila, Phnom Penh, Djakarta, Saigon, Seoul, Taipei, and Vientiane.

Document 104: Memorandum From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President

Washington, July 26, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General. Secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text. Copies were sent to Bundy (presumably McGeorge), Lemnitzer, U. Alexis Johnson, Rostow, Robert Kennedy, and Steeves.

Document 105: Memorandum From Edwin F. Black of the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, July 27, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Confidential. No drafting or clearance information is on the source text.

Document 106: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, July 27, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 107: Memorandum From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) and the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, July 27, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General 7/25/61-7/28/61. Top Secret.

Document 108: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Southeast Asia Task Force (Steeves) to the President

Washington, July 28, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General 7/25/61-7/28/61. Secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text. A typewritten, undated, and unsigned note attached to the source text reads as follows: “This was brought to the meeting by Mr. Steeves, and discussed with the President by Mr. Steeves and Mr. Johnson.” The meeting under reference is apparently the one recorded in the memorandum of discussion, Document 109.

Document 109: Memorandum of a Discussion

Washington, July 28, 1961, 11 a.m.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General. Top Secret. The meeting was held at the White House.

Document 110: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, July 29, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General. Top Secret.

Document 111: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, August 3, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, Lansdale Files: FRC 63 A 1803, Forces for Viet-Nam 1961. Top Secret. Printed also in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 239-240.

Document 112: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, August 4, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 113: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, August 4, 1961, 7:41 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/7-3161. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood, Silver, and other members of the Viet-Nam Task Force; cleared with various other officers in the Departments of State, Defense, and the Treasury, as well as with the Bureau of the Budget, the International Cooperation Administration, and the President (per Rostow); repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd; and pouched to Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, Paris, London, Ottawa, New Delhi, and Tokyo.

Document 114: Letter From President Kennedy to President Diem

Washington, August 5, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files; FRC 66 A 878, 350 GVN-TF-SFG. Attached to the source text is a copy of the letter of transmittal, dated August 6, from Nolting to Diem.

Document 115: Memorandum of a Conversation, Quai d'Orsay

Paris, August 7, 1961, 10:30 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Secretary's Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 65 D 330, August 1961. Secret. Drafted by Usher on August 7, edited and approved by Steeves, and approved in S on August 8. This discussion took place during the Ministerial Consultations on Berlin, August 4-9.

Document 116: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 8, 1961, 2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/8-861. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, CINCPAC for PolAd, Paris, London, Ottawa, New Delhi, Tokyo, and Phnom Penh.

Document 117: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, August 8, 1961, 10:32 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/8 861. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted by Cottrell, cleared with S/S, initialed by U. Alexis Johnson for the Acting Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 118: Editorial Note

Document 119: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 14, 1961, 11 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/8-1461. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Vientiane, Bangkok, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 120: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 14, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/8-1461. Top Secret; Priority. Repeated to Vientiane, Bangkok, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 121: Editorial Note

Document 122: Editorial Note

Document 123: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, August 24, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, Vietnam. Top Secret. Stamped on the source text are the words: “SecDef has seen.”

Document 124: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 25, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/~2561. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, London, Vientiane, and Paris.

Document 125: Letter From the Secretary of State to the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric)

Washington, August 30, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAM's. Secret. Drafted by Wood.

Document 126: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, August 31, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/8-3161. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 127: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, September 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/9-561. Official Use Only; Priority. Repeated to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, CINCPAC for PolAd, London, Paris, and Geneva for FECON. The Department of State was also asked to pass a copy to ACSI.

Document 128: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, September 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, R. Johnson Chron. Secret.

Document 129: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, September 6, 1961, 11 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/9-661. Confidential.

Document 130: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt)

Saigon, September 10, 1961, 5:09 p.m.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Secret; Priority. Repeated to JCS, JACE AJCC, CINCUSARPAC, and ASCI DA.

Document 131: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, September 15, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia-General. Secret.

Document 132: Editorial Note

Document 133: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, September 18, 1961, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/9-1861. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution-Noforn. Repeated to USUN for the Secretary, Rangoon, Paris, London, Bangkok, New Delhi, Vientiane, Geneva for FECON, Phnom Penh, Ottawa, and Moscow.

Document 134: Memorandum From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President

Washington, September 18, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-625-71. Confidential. A handwritten notation in the margin reads: “Read by HA [Higher Authority?] 19 Sept 61. MDT.”

Document 135: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, September 20, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K 00/9-2061. Confidential. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, London, and Paris. The Department was asked to pass a copy to ACSI.

Document 136: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, September 22, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/9-2261. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood, cleared with Haydn Williams, Cottrell, McConaughy, U. Alexis Johnson, and G/PM, initialed by Cottrell for the Acting Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 137: Editorial Note

Document 138: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, September 26, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/9-2661. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Bangkok, Vientiane, and Phnom Penh. The Department of State was also asked to pass a copy to ACSI.

Document 139: Memorandum From William J. Jorden of the Policy Planning Council to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, September 27, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-016-69. Confidential. Also transmitted to the White House under cover of a memorandum from Battle to M. Bundy dated October 4, in which Battle wrote that copies of the memorandum were being sent to U. Alexis Johnson, McGhee, McConaughy, and the Operations Center for the Viet-Nam Task Force. Battle also stated that the “information and opinions in this memorandum have been cleared in the Bureau of Far Eastern Affairs but are personal observations and do not necessarily represent Departmental policy.”

Document 140: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)

Washington, September 29, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAMs. Secret. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 141: Editorial Note

Document 142: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 1, 1961, 10 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 611.51K7/10-161. Secret; Niact. Repeated to Bangkok, Vientiane, CINCPAC for PolAd, London, Paris, Geneva for FECON, Phnom Penh, Ottawa, and New Delhi. Also printed in Pentagon Papers: Gravel Edition, vol. II, pp. 649-650.

Document 143: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 2, 1961, 8 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-261. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 144: Memorandum for the Record by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, October 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files, 1961 Chron. Secret. Copies were sent to Parker, Nitze, Rowen, Williams, and the Coordination Staff.

Document 145: Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State (Bowles) to the Secretary of State

Washington, October 5, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, Schlesinger Papers, Chester Bowles. Secret. A copy of this memorandum was sent by Bowles to Schlesinger under cover of a memorandum of October 7, in which Bowles wrote that the memorandum had so far produced “a relatively negative reaction” at the Department of State and was only a summary of his private views. Bowles told Schlesinger that unless a political settlement was worked out early enough, he thought the United States might be forced to choose between “a major commitment of U.S. troops, with a rapid and disadvantageous escalation, or a precipitous retreat.” (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/ 10-761) The same day Bowles also sent a copy of the memorandum and a similar covering memorandum to Adlai Stevenson, in which he wrote that the general response to his proposal, “as might be assumed, was a negative one, although George Ball and Averell were in agreement with me.” (Ibid.)

Document 146: Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Nitze) to the Secretary of the Navy (Connally)

Washington, October 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5411/10-961. Secret.

Document 147: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 6, 1961, midnight.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-661. Secret; Niact; Eyes Only Secretary.

Document 148: Diary Entry by the Chief of Naval Operations (Anderson)

October 9, 1961.

Source: Naval Historical Center, Anderson Papers, Diary. Top Secret.

Document 149: Memorandum From the Chief of Naval Operations (Anderson) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, October 9, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5411/10-961. Secret. A copy was also sent to the Secretary of the Navy. The source text was an attachment to a covering memorandum of the same date from Nitze to Rusk.

Document 150: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, October 9, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 71 A 6489, Viet-1. Top Secret. Received in the Office of the Secretary of Defense on October 9. Also printed, with minor deletions, in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 297-299.

Document 151: Editorial Note

Document 152: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 10, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1061. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd. The Department was also asked to pass a copy to ACSI.

Document 153: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 11, 1961, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 851K.49/10-1161. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok. Received at 10:03 a.m.

Document 154: Memorandum From the President's Military Adviser (Taylor) to the President

Washington, October 11, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-625-71. Top Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text.

Document 155: Paper Prepared in the Department of State

Washington, October 11, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Regional Security Series, Southeast Asia General. Top Secret. The source text and three attached papers were sent to McGeorge Bundy under cover of a memorandum of October 11, signed by W.G. Brubeck of the Department of State's Executive Secretariat on behalf of Executive Secretary Lucius D. Battle, explaining that the papers were to be discussed at the meeting on Southeast Asia at 10:45 a.m. that day. The paper entitled “Concept for Intervention in Laos” (SEATO Plan 5 Plus) (Tab A) is not printed. Tab C, Plan for Intervention in Vietnam, is printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 300-311.

Document 156: Memorandum for the Record by the Deputy Secretary of Defense (Gilpatric)

Washington, October 11, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Vietnam-2 Jan.-Oct. 1961. Top Secret. Drafted by Gilpatric. A note on the source text indicates that a copy was sent to Lansdale. Also printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 322-323.

Document 157: Draft Instructions From the President to His Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, October 11, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-142-69. A handwritten notation on the source text reads, “Draft prepared by Gen. Taylor. Final version dated 13 Oct.” In a memorandum of October 12 to U. Alexis Johnson, William Bundy wrote that Gilpatric and Lemnitzer were prepared to concur in the draft instructions subject to certain changes and additions which he listed. (Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1261) Johnson transmitted a revised draft to McGeorge Bundy under cover of a memorandum of October 12, in which he said that it had been cleared with William Bundy, Gilpatric, and Lemnitzer. (Ibid.) The instructions as given by the President to Taylor on October 13, which were substantially different from either of the earlier drafts, are printed in Taylor, Swords and Plowshares, pp. 225-226.

Document 158: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, October 11, 1961, 7:12 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 851K.49/10-1161. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Heavner, cleared with Wood, ICA, DOD, and the Bureau of the Budget, initialed for the Acting Secretary by Cottrell, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, and Bangkok for Anspacher.

Document 159: Letter From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, October 12, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 334, MAAG/Vietnam Files: FRC 64 A 2424, 250/16 Operations Planning. Secret.

Document 160: Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Director of the Bureau of the Budget (Bell)

Washington, October 12, 1961, 2:57 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Calls. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau of the Office of the Secretary.

Document 161: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, October 12, 1961, 7:33 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1261. Top Secret; Priority; Eyes Only Ambassador and General McGarr. Drafted by Johnson (G), cleared with Taylor and Rostow and S/S, initialed by Johnson for the Acting Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC exclusively for Admiral Felt and PolAd.

Document 162: Editorial Note

Document 163: Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt)

Washington, October 13, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961 Eyes Only Messages. Top Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated for information to McGarr.

Document 164: Telegram From the Consulate General in Switzerland to the Department of State

Geneva, October 13, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1361. Secret; Priority. Repeated to Saigon and passed to the White House. A copy of this telegram at the Kennedy Library has the following handwritten notation in the margin: “Sent to H[yannis] P[ort] 10/13. Pres. saw.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Trips and Conferences Series, Vice President to the Far East)

Document 165: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Wood) to the Director (Cottrell)

Washington, October 13, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1361. Top Secret. Initialed by Wood.

Document 166: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington. October 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, 10/16/61-10/19/61. Top Secret. A copy was sent to Bagley.

Document 167: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, October 14, 1961, 4:33 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/10-761. Secret. Drafted by Walter Furst (ICA), cleared with Fowler and FitzGerald (ICA) and U. Alexis Johnson, and initialed by Johnson for the Acting Secretary.

Document 168: Estimates Prepared in the Department of Defense and Other United States Agencies

Washington, October 15, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, 092 Viet-Nam 1961. Top Secret. Printed here are the first 4 of 20 estimates bound together and apparently given to the members of the Taylor Mission prior to their departure. A note on the table of contents page reads, “The summaries in this folder represent preliminary estimates which were prepared, in the limited time available, at action officer level in DOD, the Joint Staff, and the Services. They are furnished for the information and convenience of this party. Each of the problems will be completely staffed within the next two weeks.” The estimates not printed include: (5) increase MAAG personnel as necessary to place advisers at company level, (6) expedite training of civil guard and self defense corps, (7) provide large-scale helo support to RVNAF for increased combat mobility, (8) provide GVN all technical assistance possible, (9) provide RVNAF with STOL aircraft capability with both medium and small aircraft, (10) provide ARVN army with organic air support capability, (11) provide RVNAF with jet aircraft, (12) increase pay of RVNAF including conscripts, (13) expedite GVN junk force and shallow draft boat company programs, (14) provide U.S. naval assistance in interdiction of Viet Cong junk traffic, (15) provide RVN navy with additional small ships through MAP, (16) undertake expedited construction program in SVN (airfields, roads, port facilities, etc.), (17) undertake with GVN a program of small airfield construction to exploit STOL aircraft capabilities, (18) use U.S. military aircraft for logistic support within SVN, (19) undertake defoliant spray program, and (20) provide increased bounties for information or capture of Viet Cong and increase covert efforts. A note on the source text indicates that the last suggestion was being explored by the Central Intelligence Agency.

Document 169: Editorial Note

Document 170: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Honolulu, October 16, 1961.

Source National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-015-69. Secret.

Document 171: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 16, 1961, l p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/10-1661. Secret; Niact. Repeated to CINCPAC for General Taylor, Geneva for Harriman, Taipei, Bangkok, Vientiane, Paris, London, and Phnom Penh.

Document 172: Briefing Paper Prepared by the Embassy in Vietnam

Saigon, October 17, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-637-71. Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text, but the paper is 1 of 11 attached to a cover sheet entitled, “Briefing Papers: Current Situation in VietNam.” The following papers are not printed: (1) Status of US GVN Action Programs, (3) Geneva Accord Aspects of U.S. Military Assistance to GVN, (4) Summary of Recent Aid Levels and GVN 1962 Budgetary Problem, (5) Fact Sheet-Personnel Build-up of RVNAF, (6) Status of Preparation of a Geographically-Phased Strategic Plan for Bringing VC Subversion under Control, (7) Upgrading Civil Guard and Self-Defense Corps Training Equipment, (3) Civilian Counter-Insurgency Plan, (9) Proposed Montagnard Program, (10) Unrest in North VietNam: Current Manifestation and Potential, and (11) Concept of Border Control.

Document 173: Paper Prepared by the Taylor Mission

Saigon, October 18, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series Taylor Report (Rostow Working Copy). Top Secret. There is no heading on the source text, but another copy bears the following handwritten notation on the cover sheet: “Questions Distributed by Taylor Mission for Answer by Task Force Saigon. October, 1961.” (Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 68 A 5159, SGN (61) 19-GVN August through December) The questions were apparently given by the Taylor Mission to Embassy personnel at the briefing of the Taylor Mission by the Saigon Task Force on October 18.

Document 174: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 18, 1961, noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1551K/10-1861. Secret; Priority. ReDeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Bangkok. Vientiane. and Phnom Penh.

Document 175: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 18, 1961, midnight.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-1861. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to New Delhi, Ottawa, London, CINCPAC for PolAd, Geneva for FECON, Paris, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, and Vientiane.

Document 176: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, October 18, 1961, 9:27 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/10-1861. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood, cleared with Anderson (SEA) and Defense, initialed by Wood for the Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 177: Memorandum for the Record

Saigon, October 19, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-637-71. Secret. A note on the source text reads: “This memorandum is based on interpreter's translated, fragmentary notes, expanded from memory. It is in no sense a stenographic record of the meeting and is neither official or approved.” A memorandum of a conversation on the same day between Taylor and Lieutenant General Le Van Ty, Chief of the Joint General Staff, RVNAF, is ibid.

Document 178: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 20, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1551K/10-2061. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, and Vientiane. No time of transmission is given on the source text; the telegram was received in the Department of State at 2:12 p.m.

Document 179: Memorandum for the Record

Saigon, October 20, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-015-69. Top Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text, which is attached to a covering memorandum of October 27 from McGarr to Taylor in which McGarr wrote that it was MAAG's memorandum for the record and was “a summarization of the items covered during the discussion.” not a verbatim account.

Document 180: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 20, 1961, midnight.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 851K.49/10-2061. Secret. Also sent to CINCPAC for action and repeated to Phnom Penh.

Document 181: Letter From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (McConaughy) to the Ambassador in Viet-Nam (Nolting)

Washington, October 20, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files ERC 68 A 5159, New Command Arrangements 1962. Top Secret; Official-Informal. A handwritten note in the top margin reads: “Rec'd 11/2/61.”

Document 182: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Saigon, October 21, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, Vietnam-Taylor. Secret. Copies were sent to Nolting and Rostow. The source text is apparently Nolting's copy.

Document 183: Editorial Note

Document 184: Draft Paper Prepared by the Political Counselor of the Embassy in Viet-Nam (Mendenhall)

Saigon, October 22, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Viet-Nam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, Coup Rumors GVN 1961. Secret.

Document 185: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

[Saigon, October 23, 1961.]

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 63 A 1803, Vietnam-Taylor Group. Top Secret.

Document 186: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Saigon, October 23, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 63 A 1803, Vietnam-Taylor Group. Top Secret.

Document 187: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Deputy Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Saigon, October 23, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 63 A 1803, Vietnam-Taylor Group. Top Secret.

Document 188: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Commander in Chief. Pacific (Felt)

Saigon, October 23, 1961, 10:55 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 851H.49/10-2361. Secret; Priority. Repeated to JCS (J-3), DOD, and the Department of State for attention CTR and Task Force Vietnam. The source text is the copy sent to the Department of State. Received in the Department at 6:01 a.m. on October 25.

Document 189: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, October 24, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961 Eyes Only Messages. Secret; Eyes Only. No time of transmission is indicated on the source text.

Document 190: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the Department of State

Saigon, October 25, 1961, 3 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2561. Top Secret; Priority. The Department of State was asked to pass the telegram to the White House for Bundy, Defense for McNamara, JCS for Lemnitzer, and CIA for Dulles. Received in the Department at 9:06 a.m. Telegrams to and from General Taylor in Saigon were numbered in sequence with other telegrams to and from Saigon. The incoming telegrams bear Ambassador Nolting's signature.

Document 191: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the Department of State

Saigon, October 25, 1961, 1 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2561. Top Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. The Department of State was asked to pass the telegram to the White House eyes only for the President, Defense eyes only for McNamara, and JCS eyes only for Lemnitzer. Received in the Department at 8:23 a.m.

Document 192: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 25, 1961, 9 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2561. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Bangkok with instructions to pass to General Taylor, and Geneva for FECON. Received in the Department at 3:06 p.m.

Document 193: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 25, 1961, 9 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2561. Secret. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Geneva for FECON, Paris, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila, CINCPAC for PolAd, and London. Received in the Department at 8:50 p.m.

Document 194: Memorandum for the Record by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, October 25, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files, 1961 Chron. Secret.

Document 195: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Wood) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)

Washington, October 25, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5/10-2561. Top Secret; Limit Distribution. Also addressed to McConaughy. Drafted and initialed by Wood and sent through S/S. A copy was sent to Anderson (SEA).

Document 196: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the Embassy in Vietnam

Bangkok, October 27, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1551K/10-2761. Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated to the Department for U. Alexis Johnson as telegram 625, which is the source text. Telegrams to and from General Taylor in Bangkok were numbered in sequence with other telegrams to and from Bangkok. The incoming telegrams bear Ambassador Young's signature.

Document 197: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the Department of State

Bangkok, October 27, 1961–9 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2761. Top Secret. Repeated to Saigon for Nolting. The Department of State was asked also to pass for action to the White House personal for Bundy and Ewell.

Document 198: Telegram From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the President's Military Representative (Taylor), at Bangkok

Washington, October 28, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Trips and Conference Series Taylor Trip. Secret; Eyes Only. The source text bears the notation, “Cable for dispatch via State Department.” No other copy of this message has been found.

Document 199: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 28, 1961, noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-2861. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok, Hong Kong (for General Taylor who was stopping there en route from Bangkok to Manila), Manila for General Taylor, Paris, London, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Geneva for FECON, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 200: Letter From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Saigon, October 30, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD Files: FRC 71 A 6439, Viet 091. Top Secret. The source text is stamped: “SecDef has seen.”

Document 201: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, October 31, 1961, 4 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-3161. Secret; Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Manila for General Taylor, Bangkok, Geneva for FECON, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, London, Paris, Ottawa, New Delhi, and Hue.

Document 202: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, October 31, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret. Copies were sent to Rostow, Smith, Ewell, and Parrott.

Document 203: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, October 31, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Viet-Nam 092 Jan.-Oct. 1961. Top Secret.

Document 204: Telegram From the United States Delegation at Hakone to the Department of State

Hakone, November 1, 1961, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-161. Secret; Limit Distribution. Another copy of the telegram indicates that Rusk was the sole drafter. (Ibid., Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1984) Printed also in Pentagon Papers: Gravel Edition, vol. II, p. 105. The Secretary was in Hakone, along with other Cabinet members, to take part in the first meeting of the Joint U.S.-Japan Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs, November 2-4.

Document 205: Editorial Note

Document 206: Memorandum From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt), to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Honolulu, November 2, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-015-69. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that copies were also sent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other Pacific commands. The Taylor Mission stopped briefly at CINCPAC headquarters on November 2 en route to Washington.

Document 207: Memorandum From Senator Mansfield to the President

Washington, November 2, 1961.

Source: University of Montana, Mansfield Papers, Series XXII, Box 103, Folder 16. Confidential.

Document 208: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, November 2, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961 Eyes Only Messages. Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated for information to General Decker. No time of transmission is given on the source text.

Document 209: Paper Prepared by the Ambassador to India (Galbraith)

Washington, November 3, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, President's Office File, Viet-Nam Country Series, Security 1961. Secret. The source text was attached to a signed letter of November 3 from Galbraith to the President, which reads in full: “You asked for my views on Vietnam. They are set forth in this paper. I might add that they are shared by Abe Chayes, who has collaborated with me in preparing the paper.” Galbraith was in Washington for the State visit of Prime Minister Nehru.

Document 210: Letter From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President

Washington, November 3, 1961.

Source Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Taylor Report A & B. Top Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text, but in his memoirs Taylor states that the letter was drafted by both Rostow and him. (Swords and Plowshares, p. 243)

Document 211: Memorandum for the Record

Washington, November 6, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-127-69. Top Secret. Prepared by Bagley; the date on the source text is apparently the drafting date rather than the date the conference took place. The subject matter, the participants, and the course of the discussion suggest that the conference took place November 4.

Document 212: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 4, 1961–6:50 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/10-461. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Wood, cleared with McConaughy and S/S, initialed by Johnson (G) for the Acting Secretary, and repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 213: Memorandum From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs(Johnson) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-561. Top Secret. Drafted and initialed by Johnson and sent through S/S. Rusk returned to Washington on November 5 from his trip to Japan.

Document 214: Draft Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the President

Washington, November 5, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Bundy Files, 1961 Chron. Top Secret. Drafted by William P. Bundy on November s and attached to Bundy's memorandum of that date to McNamara, in which he asked whether the draft “at least raises the basic points you wanted” and noted that “one possible omission is the issue of nuclear weapons as part of a punitive action.” On the source text are McNamara's handwritten revisions and interpolations, apparently done on November 6 since he wrote November “6” over the “5”. McNamara's changes are described in footnotes below.

Document 215: Editorial Note

Document 216: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 6, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-661. Top Secret; Niact.

Document 217: Notes by the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, November 6, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, SE Asia 1961. Handwritten by McNamara. The source text does not indicate whether the views of the Joint Chiefs were communicated orally or in writing, but they may have been given to McNamara by Lemnitzer at a luncheon meeting which, according to Lemnitzer's journal, took place in the Secretary of Defense's dining room at 1 p.m. on November 6. (National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-419-71)

Document 218: Memorandum of a Conversation, The White House

Washington, November 7, 1961, 10–10:32 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1990. Secret. Drafted by Talbot and approved in the Office of the Secretary on November 26 and in the White House on December 4. (Kennedy Library, JFK Appointment Books) For Galbraith's account of the conversation, see Ambassador's Journal, p. 248.

Document 219: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 7, 1961–1 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-761. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution; Eyes Only. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd. Received in the Department of State at 3:30 p.m.

Document 220: Editorial Note

Document 221: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, November 7, 1961, 5:13 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 1990. Confidential. Drafted by Horgan, approved in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary for Political Affairs on November 17, and in the Office of the Secretary on November 26. The time of the meeting is taken from Rusk's Appointment Book. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Books)

Document 222: Draft Memorandum From the Secretary of State to the President

Washington, November 7, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S Files: Lot 66 D 150, Taylor Report on VN. Top Secret. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson. The similarity between certain sections of the source text and Document 214 suggests that Johnson consulted with William Bundy in the preparation of this draft.

Document 223: Note From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, November 7, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, SE Asia 1961. Secret.

Document 224: Memorandum From Lieutenant Commander Worth H. Bagley to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, November 7, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-127-69. Top Secret.

Document 225: Editorial Note

Document 226: Draft Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Washington, November 8, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Viet-Nam 092 Nov. 1961. Top Secret. Drafted by William Bundy on November 8. A handwritten note in the margin reads: “Not used. All other copies destroyed.”

Document 227: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the President

Washington, November 8, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, SE Asia 1961. Top Secret. Also printed in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 343-344.

Document 228: Draft Memorandum for the President

Washington, November 8, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-2~71. Top Secret. No drafting information is given on the source text except for the date, but the memorandum was apparently drafted in the Department of State. Document 230 refers to what apparently is this draft memorandum as the “State SEA Paper”. Moreover, it seems to be an enlarged version of Document 222, which is five pages in manuscript form. A handwritten notation on the source text indicates that it is the “initial draft” of the November 11 memorandum to the President (see Document 234). Another handwritten notation indicates that the source text was discussed at the meeting with the Secretary of State on November 9, apparently a reference to the meeting described in Document 232.

Document 229: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, November 9, 1961, 1:40 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 6s D 366, CF 1990. Secret. Drafted by Horgan and approved in the Office of the Secretary on November 17. The time of the meeting is taken from Rusk's Appointment Book. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Books)

Document 230: Memorandum From Lieutenant Commander Worth H. Bagley to the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, November 9, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-127-69. Top Secret.

Document 231: Memorandum From the Acting Secretary of Defense (Bundy) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington. November 9, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, SE Asia 1961. Top Secret. The time of receipt in the Office of the Secretary of Defense is stamped on the source text as 2:20 p.m., November 9.

Document 232: Notes of a Meeting, Department of State

Washington, November 9, 1961, 4:36 p.m.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-216-71. Secret. Handwritten by Lemnitzer. According to the source text, the following people were present at the meeting: Rusk, McNamara, Gilpatric, Nitze, Lemnitzer, William Bundy, Harriman, Ball, U. Alexis Johnson, Taylor, and Rostow. According to Rusk's Appointment Book, he met at 4:36 p.m. on November 9 to discuss Viet-Nam with Ball, McNamara, Gilpatric, Lemnitzer, Rostow, Nitze, Taylor, William Bundy, and U. Alexis Johnson. Harriman joined the meeting at 5:06 p.m. The next appointment shown was a 6:41 p.m. meeting with McNamara alone. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Books)

Document 233: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, November 11, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-628-71. Top Secret. A handwritten note on the source text reads: “Gen. Taylor only-no further distribution.” Neither the original nor any other copy of this memorandum has been found at the Kennedy Library.

Document 234: Editorial Note

Document 235: List of Questions Prepared by the President

Washington, November 11, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-642D-71. Secret. Also printed in Declassified Documents, 1976, p. 210F.

Document 236: Notes of a Meeting, The White House

Washington, November 11, 1961, 12:10 p.m

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-214-71. Top Secret. Handwritten by Lemnitzer. According to the notes, the meeting was attended by the President, Rusk, U. Alexis Johnson, McConaughy, Robert Kennedy, Cabell, Taylor, Rostow, McGeorge Bundy, Nitze, Lemnitzer, and McNamara. According to the President's log book, he met on November 11 from 11:50 a.m. to noon with Taylor and Rostow and from noon to 1:55 p.m. with Rusk, McNamara, Lemnitzer, and Taylor. (Kennedy Library, JFK Log Books) No other record of this meeting has been found.

Document 237: Editorial Note

Document 238: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, November 12, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 239: Letter From the Ambassador at Large (Harriman) to the President

Washington, November 12, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Personal. Handwritten by Harriman.

Document 240: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 12, 1961, 7:31 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1361. Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. Drafted by McConaughy, cleared in draft with Johnson (G) and the Secretary, and signed for the Secretary by McConaughy.

Document 241: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, November 13, 1961, 10:33 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1361. Secret. Drafted by Brown and approved in the Office of the Secretary of State on November 26. The time of the meeting is from the Secretary of State's Appointment Book. (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Books)

Document 242: Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)

Washington, November 13, 1961, 2:08 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Calls. Transcribed by Mildred Asbjornson of the Office of the Secretary.

Document 243: Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State

Washington, November 13, 1961, 3:16 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Secretary's Memoranda of Conversation: Lot 65 D 330, November 1961. Secret. Drafted by Cross on November 24 and approved in the Office of the Secretary on December 1. The time and location of the meeting are taken from the Rusk Appointment Book in the Johnson Library.

Document 244: Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the President's Military Representative (Taylor)

Washington, November 13, 1961, 15:37 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Calls. Transcribed by Phyllis D. Bernau of the Office of the Secretary.

Document 245: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Washington, November 13, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, Southeast Asia 1961.

Document 246: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Washington, November 13, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, Southeast Asia 1961. Top Secret.

Document 247: Draft National Security Action Memorandum

Washington, November 13, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret. Attached to the source text is a memorandum of November 13 from Bromley Smith to the National Security Council that reported that the draft NSAM was being circulated for discussion in connection with an NSC meeting scheduled for 10 a.m., November 15.

Document 248: Letter From Prime Minister Nu to President Kennedy

Rangoon, November 13, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1861. Attached to the source text is a copy of a brief memorandum of transmittal from Battle to Bundy, November 18, indicating that it was the signed original of the Prime Minister's letter. settle already apparently sent Bundy a copy of telegram 380 from Rangoon, November 14, containing the text of the letter. (Ibid., 751K.00/11-1461) A note on the Department of state s copy of telegram 380 indicates that it was passed to the White House at 1121 a.m. on November 15.

Document 249: Memorandum From the Deputy Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Wood) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Steeves)

Washington, November 14, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Viet-Nam Task Force Files: Lot 66 D 193, 1-A2-Briefing Papers GVN 1961. Secret. Drafted by Heavner and sent to Steeves through Anderson.

Document 250: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, November 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that a copy was also sent to McGeorge Bundy.

Document 251: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, November 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 252: Memorandum From the President to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, November 14, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. The source text bears the following handwritten notation by Bundy: “used by President as talking paper Nov. 14 P M-before NSC. MGB”

Document 253: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the President

Washington, November 15, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, Sorensen Papers, Vietnam. Top Secret.

Document 254: Notes on the National Security Council Meeting

Washington, November 15, 1961, 10 a.m.

Source: Johnson Library, Vice Presidential Security File, National Security Council (11). Top Secret. The drafter is not indicated, but it was probably Howard L. Burris, the Vice President's military aide. According to the President's log, the following people, in addition to the President, attended the meeting: Byron R. White, Acting Attorney General; David E. Bell; Allen W. Dulles; John A. McCone; Robert S. McNamara; Roswell L. Gilpatric; Paul Nitze; William P. Bundy; Lyman L. Lemnitzer; Edward A. McDermott; Dean Rusk; Fowler Hamilton, U. Alexis Johnson, George C. McGhee; Walter P. McConaughy; Henry H. Fowler; Edward R. Murrow, McGeorge Bundy; Walt R. Rostow; Maxwell Taylor; Chester V. Clifton; Theodore C. Sorensen; Howard L. Burris; and Bromley Smith. (Kennedy Library; JFK Log, Book 11) From the notes themselves it is evident that Robert Amory was also present.

Document 255: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 15, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1561. Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. Received in the Department of State at 10:29 a.m.

Document 256: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the President

Washington, November 15, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret.

Document 257: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 15, 1961, 9:02 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1561. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Cottrell and Heavner on November 14 and cleared with McConaughy, U. Alexis Johnson, Rusk, and the President.

Document 258: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 16, 1961, 2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1661. Secret. Repeated to Phnom Penh, Vientiane, Geneva for FECON, Bangkok, Paris, London, CINCPAC for PolAd, Manila, Tokyo, and Hue.

Document 259: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 16, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Presidential Status Reports. Top Secret. No drafting or clearance information is given on the source text, which is attached to a brief covering memorandum from Hilsman to McGeorge Bundy, dated November 16, which reads: “Alex has passed the attached to Max Taylor and Walt Rostow. The main study and a summary of lessons and findings should be ready by Monday [November 20].”

Document 260: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, November 16. 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, R. Johnson Chron. Secret.

Document 261: Memorandum From the Legal Adviser (Chayes) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 16, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1661. Top Secret. Drafted by Chayes and sent to the Secretary through S/S and Johnson (U). Initialed by both Chayes and Johnson. Attached to the source text is the following note of November 16 from Chayes to the Secretary: “This preparation of this memorandum and its attachments was undertaken before yesterday's NSC decisions. I believe that the analysis and observations given below will continue to be relevant, both in the carrying out of those decisions and in deliberations on further steps in the future.”

Document 262: Letter From President Kennedy to Chairman Khrushchev

Washington, November 16, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 77 D 163, JFK-Khrushchev 1961-62. Top Secret.

Document 263: Editorial Note

Document 264: Memorandum From Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff to the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow)

Washington, November 17, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, Sept.-Dec. 1961. Secret.

Document 265: Memorandum From the Assistant Director, Far East (Neilson), to the Director of the United States Information Agency (Murrow)

Washington, November 17, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 306, USIA/TOP Files: FRC 67 A 222, IAF Defoliation 1963. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that copies were sent to Wilson, Sorenson (IOP), and Slaton (IAF). The source text is Sorenson's copy and bears his typewritten name in the margin and the handwritten notation, “TCS. Must reading. BY.” “BY” has not been identified.

Document 266: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 18, 1961, 2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1861. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated priority to Bangkok and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 267: Editorial Note

Document 268: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 21, 1961,2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00.11-2161. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, New Delhi, Ottawa, Bangkok, Vientiane, London, Paris, Geneva for FECON, and Phnom Penh.

Document 269: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, November 21, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Memos and Reports. Secret. Initialed by Rostow.

Document 270: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 22, 1961, noon.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, 350 GVN. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok and to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 271: Memorandum From the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, November 22, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-185-69. Top Secret. Attached to a brief covering memorandum of November 28 from Lemnitzer's staff assistant, Richard R. Day, to Taylor, indicating that Lemnitzer had asked that the memorandum be sent to Taylor for his information. For William Bundy's comments, in a memorandum to McNamara, November 25, see United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, p. 449.

Document 272: National Security Action Memorandum No. 111

Washington, November 22, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/S-NSC Files: Lot 72 D 316, NSAMs. A note on the source text indicates that information copies were sent to the Secretary of Defense, the Director of Central Intelligence, and General Taylor. Printed also in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, pp. 419-421, and in Declassified Documents, 1979, p. 107A.

Document 273: Memorandum From the Counselor of Embassy in Viet-Nam (Mendenhall) to the Public Affairs Officer in Viet-Nam (Anspacher)

Saigon, November 22, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 335, GVN-Government of Viet-Nam 1961. Secret. Initialed by Mendenhall; also addressed to McGarr, Gardiner, and Colby.

Document 274: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, November 24, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret. The source text is neither signed nor initialed by Rostow and bears no indication that the President saw the memorandum. Under cover of a brief letter of November 25, Rostow sent to Galbraith a copy of his memorandum to the President and of a memorandum from McGhee to McGeorge Bundy on “Counter-Guerrilla Campaigns in Greece, Malaya and the Philippines.” (Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, Department of Defense) In the letter to Galbraith, Rostow wrote: “Whatever we achieve or fail to achieve with respect to Vietnamese administration and politics, we should not kid ourselves that we are up against a serious and major offensive mounted from Hanoi; and it will take hard and purposeful labor on many fronts, both inside and outside South VietNam, to save that area without a war.” (Ibid., Meetings and Memos Series, Staff Memos-Rostow-Guerrilla and Unconventional Warfare)

Document 275: Memorandum From the Secretary of State to the President

Washington, November 24, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Reports &Memos. Top Secret. A handwritten note on the source text indicates that the “original” was given to Rostow and the “enclosure” to McGeorge Bundy. A draft of the memorandum, prepared by U. Alexis Johnson, was submitted to the Secretary of State for his signature under cover of a memorandum of November 22, in which Johnson wrote:

Document 276: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 24, 1961, 8:22 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2461. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson, cleared with McConaughy, and initialed by Johnson for the Secretary. Repeated information to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 277: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 25, 1961—noon.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.56311/11-2561. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok and to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 278: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 25, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5/11-2561. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok, London, Paris, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Geneva for FECON, and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 279: Letter From Secretary of State Rusk to the British Ambassador (Ormsby Gore)

Washington, November 25, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204, Correspondence with UK Officials-Vol. 1. Secret. Drafted by McConaughy and C. Chapman of the Viet-Nam Task Force.

Document 280: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 25, 1961, 7:10 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2561. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Wood; cleared with Cottrell, McConaughy, U. Alexis Johnson, and the Office of the Secretary; initialed by Pezzullo of the Executive Secretariat for the Secretary. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 281: Editorial Note

Document 282: Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State

New Delhi, November 26, 1961, 5 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2661. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Saigon and to Geneva for Harriman.

Document 283: Memorandum From the Under Secretary-Designate for Political Affairs (McGhee) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 27, 1961.

Source: Department of State, S/P Files: Lot 67 D 548, HO Chron. Secret.

Document 284: Memorandum From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President

Washington, November 27, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-185-69. Secret. An attached note indicates that copies were sent to Rusk, McNamara, U. Alexis Johnson, Lemnitzer, Bundy (apparently McGeorge), and Rostow.

Document 285: Notes of a Meeting, The White House

Washington, November 27, 1961, 5:30 p.m.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-217-71. Top Secret. Handwritten by Lemnitzer. According to the source text, the following people were present: Rusk, Johnson, McNamara, Lemnitzer, Taylor, William Bundy, Rostow, McGeorge Bundy, Hamilton, and Lansdale. Neither Lemnitzer's nor Taylor's Appointment Books at the National Defense University lists the participants at the meeting. Rusk's Appointment Book lists as participants the President, Rusk, McNamara, Lemnitzer, Taylor, Johnson, Bell, Rostow, Hamilton, and Bundy (without specifying William or McGeorge). (Johnson Library, Rusk Appointment Books) The President's log indicates that the meeting was off the record and was attended by the President, Rusk, U. Alexis Johnson, McNamara, William Bundy, Lemnitzer, Lansdale, Hamilton, Dulles, Taylor, Rostow, and McGeorge Bundy. (Kennedy Library, JFK Logs) The source text seems to indicate that the President joined the meeting in progress.

Document 286: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 27, 1961, 8:28 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11 2261. Secret; Niact; Eyes Only. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson and Rostow, cleared with S/S and initialed by Johnson for the Secretary. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd and Bangkok.

Document 287: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 27, 1961, 8:32 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.56311/11-2561. Top Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood; cleared with William Bundy, U. Alexis Johnson, McConaughy, and Cottrell; and initialed by McConaughy for the Secretary. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 288: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, November 28, 1961, 7:37 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2861. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Tubby; cleared by Tubby with Sylvester (Defense), Wilson (USIA), Salinger (White House), and Heavner; and signed by Tubby for the Secretary.

Document 289: Telegram From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt), and the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr)

Washington, November 28, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, South Viet-Nam 1961-Taylor Recommendations. Top Secret; Priority. Time of transmission is not indicated on the source text. William Bundy's draft of this telegram, which differs only slightly from the final version as sent, is in Department of State, Bundy Files, 1961 Chron.

Document 290: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India

Washington, November 28, 1961, 8:41 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11 2861. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Wood, Heavner, and Horgan; cleared with Anderson (SEA) and Weil (SOA); and initialed by Weil for the Secretary. Repeated to Saigon, Geneva for FECON, and USUN.

Document 291: Memorandum From the Director of Intelligence and Research (Hilsman) to the Secretary of State

Washington, November 28, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, Reports & Memos. Secret. Attached to a brief transmittal memorandum of November 29, from Battle to McGeorge Bundy. A handwritten note on the transmittal memorandum from Bromley Smith to Robert Johnson indicates that Taylor also had a copy of Hilsman's memorandum.

Document 292: Paper Prepared by Robert H. Johnson of the National Security Council Staff

Washington, November 28, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2561. Top Secret; Limited Distribution. A copy of this paper was attached to a memorandum of November 30 from Bagley to Taylor, which reads:

Document 293: Letter From the Secretary of Defense's Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to General Samuel T. Williams

Washington, November 28, 1961.

Source: Hoover Institution Archives, Williams Papers, 1961 Letters. Handwritten by Lansdale.

Document 294: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

Washington, November 28, 1961.

Source: USAMHI, Kraemer Papers, VN 61-63. Confidential; Noforn/Continued Control.

Document 295: Central Intelligence Agency Information Report

Washington, November 29, 1961.

Source: USAMHI, Kraemer Papers, VN 61 63. Confidential, Noforn/Continued Control.

Document 296: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 29, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-2961. Secret; Niact; Eyes Only. Repeated to Bangkok and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 297: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burma

Washington, November 29, 1961, 9:12 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1461. Confidential. Repeated to Saigon. Previous drafts of the enclosed letter, one of which bears the handwritten notation “changed by White House 11/27/61,” are ibid., 751K.00/11-2261.

Document 298: Letter From the Ambassador in Viet-Nam (Nolting) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson)

Saigon, November 30, 1961.

Source. Department of State, Johnson Files, Official and Classified Letters. Confidential; Official-Informal.

Document 299: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, November 30, 1961, 8 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-3061. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to London and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 300: Editorial Note

Document 301: Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy) to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, December 1, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Viet-Nam 1961-2 Dec. Top Secret. Copies sent to Gilpatric, Lemnitzer, and Wheeler.

Document 302: Memorandum for the Record by the Public Affairs Officer in the Embassy in Viet-Nam (Anspacher)

Saigon, December 1, 1961.

Source Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 335, Press July-December 1961. Confidential. Attached to a memorandum of December 1 to Nolting, in which Anspacher wrote that the recent press campaign was the first one in his experience that had taken on such proportions.

Document 303: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 1, 1961, 8 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-161. Top Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok and CINCPAC for PolAd. Another copy of this telegram, which had been sent to the White House, was marked with the handwritten notation, “P[resident] has seen. Dec. 2.” (Kennedy Library, National Security File, Viet-Nam Country Series) Printed also in Declassified Documents, 1976, p. 211A.

Document 304: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 2, 1961, 2 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-261. Secret. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Vientiane, Paris, and London.

Document 305: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 3, 1961, 9 p.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, Box 309. Secret; Niact; Limit Distribution. Repeated to Bangkok and CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 306: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, December 4, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-461. Secret; Niact. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson; cleared with Harriman, Rusk, and the President; and initialed by Johnson for Rusk. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd and Bangkok. The time of transmission is illegible on the source text.

Document 307: Letter From the Ambassador in Viet-Nam (Nolting) to President Diem

Saigon, December 5, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files FRC 66 A 878, POL US Foreign Policy. Secret. Drafted by Toussaint.

Document 308: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, December 5, 1961.

Document 309: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, December 5, 1961, 2:07 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K 00/12-561. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Cottrell, cleared with Harriman and with McGeorge Bundy (in substance), and signed by Cottrell for the Secretary. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd and Bangkok.

Document 310: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, December 5, 1961, 4:19 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/11-1261. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Chapman (TF/VN) on November 28; redrafted by U. Alexis Johnson on December 4; cleared with Cottrell, Salans, Cleveland, Anderson, and Cross (all SEA), McConaughy, Cleveland (IO), and the Secretary. Repeated to ten posts.

Document 311: Memorandum From the President's Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Rostow) to the President

Washington, December 6, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Secret.

Document 312: Letter From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Secretary of State

Washington, December 7, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5811/12-761. Top Secret.

Document 313: Telegram From the Embassy in India to the Department of State

New Delhi, December 7, 1961, 6 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-761. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Saigon. Received in the Department at 3:32 a.m.

Document 314: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President, at Palm Beach

Washington, December 7, 1961, 4:50 p.m.

Source: National Defense University, Taylor Papers, T-29-71. Top Secret; Priority. The President was staying at his father's residence after addressing the delegates to the National Convention of the AFL-CIO in Miami earlier in the day.

Document 315: Editorial Note

Document 316: Memorandum of a Conversation

Quai d'Orsay, Paris, December 11, 1961, 10:30 a.m.

Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 65 D 366, CF 2000. Secret. Drafted by Brown. There is no indication on the source text that it was approved by the Secretary. Rusk was in Paris to attend the NATO Ministerial meetings.

Document 317: Telegram From the Department of State to the Delegation to the NATO Ministerial Meeting, at Paris

Washington, December 12, 1961, 6:57 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-1261. Top Secret. Drafted by U. Alexis Johnson, cleared with Cottrell, Wallace C. Magathan, and Harriman, and initialed by Johnson for Acting Secretary Ball.

Document 318: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 13, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K 00/12-1361. Top Secret; Priority; Eyes Only. Repeated to Paris eyes only for the Secretary.

Document 319: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom

Washington, December 13, 1961, 7:52 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-1361. Confidential. Drafted by Robert S. Lindquist (FE); cleared with Wood, Harriman, and SPA; and initialed by Harriman for the Acting Secretary. Repeated to Canberra, Vientiane, Phnom Penh, Saigon, Paris for the Secretary of State, and Geneva.

Document 320: Letter From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Johnson) to the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Bundy)

Washington, December 13, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5/12-761. Secret. Drafted by Cottrell and Johnson.

Document 321: Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam

Washington, December 14, 1961, 8:02 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-1461. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Heinz and Wood, cleared with Cottrell, DOD/ISA, and USIA, and initialed by Harriman for the Acting Secretary. Also sent to CINCPAC for PolAd.

Document 322: Editorial Note

Document 323: Letter From the Charge in Viet-Nam (Trueheart) to the Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Cottrell)

Saigon, December 15, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 878, 320 GVN-U.S. Secret; Official-Informal.

Document 324: Editorial Note

Document 325: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's Special Assistant (Parker) to the Chairman (Lemnitzer)

Washington, December 18, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-1141-71. Secret. Attached to the source text are 10 pages of handwritten notes on the discussion at the Honolulu meeting. The drafter of the notes may have been Parker, but this is not indicated on the source text.

Document 326: Letter From the Political Adviser (Martin) of the Commander in Chief, Pacific, to the Director of the Viet-Nam Task Force (Cottrell)

Honolulu, December 18, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5-MSP/12-1861. Top Secret; Official-Informal.

Document 327: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the Secretary of State

Washington, December 18, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Viet-Nam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, 3-C Military Assistance General Oct.-Dec. 1961. Secret. A note on the source text indicates that a copy was sent to William Bundy. Printed also in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, p. 426. That version, the text of which is identical to the source text, indicates that copies were sent to Nitze and Gilpatric in addition to William Bundy.

Document 328: Letter From the Secretary of State to the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)

Washington, December 18, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-1861. Secret. Drafted by Rusk and cleared with Harriman and U. Alexis Johnson.

Document 329: Editorial Note

Document 330: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 19, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-1961. Top Secret; Priority.

Document 331: Telegram From the Commander of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, December 20, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961 Eyes Only Messages. Secret; Eyes Only. Repeated to General Decker. A handwritten notation on the source text indicates that it was seen also by General Wheeler. No time of transmission is indicated on the source text.

Document 332: Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State

Saigon, December 21, 1961, 7 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-2161. Secret, Priority. Repeated to CINCPAC for PolAd, Bangkok, Phnom Penh. and Vientiane.

Document 333: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Commander in Chief. Pacific (Felt)

Saigon, December 21, 1961, 5:57 p.m.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.5/12-2161. Secret; Priority. Also identified as MAGGHGACH 4587 and repeated to the Joint Chiefs, JACK, AJCC at Fort Ritchie, State, and the White House. Received in the Department at 12:51 a.m., December 22. The source text is the Department of State copy.

Document 334: Telegram From the President's Military Representative (Taylor) to the President, at Bermuda

Washington, December 21, 1961, 11:23 p.m.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series. Top Secret; Eyes Only. The President was in Bermuda where he was meeting with British Prime Minister Macmillan.

Document 335: Memorandum From the Chairman of the Policy Planning Council (Rostow) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Harriman)

Washington, December 22, 1961.

Source: Department of State, Central Files, 751K.00/12-2261. Secret. Drafted by Rice and initialed by Rostow. The source text bears two handwritten notations. One reads: “Shown to & discussed w/Nolting week Jan. 8-12. He says he thinks Diem may, in effect, have such an arrangement, de facto, now. E[dmund] R[ice]” The other reads: “Mr. Rice. Should we get back of this? Walt”.

Document 336: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense (McNamara) to the President

Washington, December 22, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Files: FRC 71 A 3470, South Viet-Nam 1961-Taylor Recommendations, Command. Secret. At the bottom of the source text the President signed his name (under the place designated) “Approved.”

Document 337: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt), to the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr)

Honolulu, December 23, 1961, 11:35 a.m.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Viet-Nam Country Series, 12/ 19/61-12/23/61. Top Secret. Repeated to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, JACK AJCC, CINCUSARPAC, CINCPACFLT, and PACAF. A notation in the margin of the source text indicates that it was a copy furnished to Bromley Smith and McGeorge Bundy.

Document 338: Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer) to the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr)

Washington, December 23, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, L-21071. Top Secret; Priority. No transmission time is given on the source text.

Document 339: Memorandum From the Public Affairs Officer of the Embassy in Viet-Nam (Anspacher) to the Ambassador in Viet-Nam (Nolting)

Saigon. December 23, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 66 A 33s, Program Direction. Confidential.

Document 340: Memorandum From the Secretary of Defense's Assistant for Special Operations (Lansdale) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Washington, December 27, 1961.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 64 A 2382, Viet-Nam 1961-2 Dec. Top Secret. A note on the source text indicates that copies were also sent to McNamara, Gilpatric, and Heinz. Printed also in United States-Vietnam Relations, 1945-1967, Book 11, p. 427.

Document 341: Telegram From the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Lemnitzer)

Saigon, December 27, 1961.

Source: National Defense University, Lemnitzer Papers, 1961 Eyes Only Messages. Top Secret; Eyes Only. No transmission time is given on the source text.

Document 342: Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to the President

[Palm Beach], December 27, 1961.

Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Bromley Smith Series, Memos to the President. Secret. The President was in Palm Beach, Florida, where his father was ill and in the hospital, since December 19.

Document 343: Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Felt), to the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Viet-Nam (McGarr)

Honolulu, December 28, 1961, 12:45 p.m.

Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 84, Saigon Embassy Files: FRC 68 A 5159, GVN Jan.-June 1962. Top Secret. Repeated to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, JACK AJCC, PACAF, and Navy GRNC.