Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume III, Vietnam, January–August 1963

21. Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to the President¹

Washington, January 28, 1963.

SOUTH VIETNAM

You asked for a list of actions which you might take to follow up on Roger Hilsman’s and my report on South Vietnam.²

General Wheeler is returning to Washington on Wednesday.³ I suggest you meet with him, Secretary McNamara, Governor Harriman, Director McCone and General Taylor on Friday to hear his report.⁴ At that meeting you might keep the following points in mind for discussion and action:

1. Start looking for a successor to Fritz Nolting, whose tour comes to an end in April unless he is reappointed. More vigor is needed in getting Diem to do what we want.

2. Review of the command relationship between CinCPac and Harkins. Ideally Harkins should report to the JCS directly. If you don’t want to go this far right away, you might ask General Taylor to discuss with CinCPac the strategy of the war in South Vietnam and perhaps suggest less interference in the tactical aspects of General Harkins’ job.

3. The press problem needs attention. You might ask Governor Harriman and the press people to review our own policies. I think we have not been candid enough with them and consequently have generated suspicion and disbelief. The USIA chief in SVN, John Mecklin, has recommended that the U.S. begin giving our newsmen briefings, including a limited amount of classified information whether the GVN likes it or not. He further suggests that our people in the field be instructed to ignore any efforts by the GVN to prevent them from cooperating with U.S. newsmen.

4. You might also ask General Wheeler whether he is satisfied that enough emphasis is being placed upon clear and hold operations’ as distinguished from large scale hit and run strikes involving a possible over-use of U.S. helicopters.

5. You might ask John McCone to see if his people think “Operation Switchback” (the shift of responsibility for paramilitary training from CIA to the Army) should be delayed at least until the Army can assure its continuity.

Before your meeting on Friday I will supply you with a check list to remind you of these and other questions you may want to raise.

A National Security Action Memorandum⁵ has gone out to the Departments concerned directing them to clear all VIP trips to South Vietnam with Governor Harriman.

MVForrestal⁶

1. Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Vietnam Country Series. Secret.
2. Document 19.
3. January 30.
4. General Wheeler’s report is printed as Document 26. There is no record of the February 1 meeting, but see Documents 27 and 29.
5. Document 20.
6. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.