122. Editorial Note
On August 17, 1961, William J. Jorden, a former New York Times correspondent who became a member of the Department of State’s Policy Planning Council earlier in the month, left the United States for a fact-finding mission to South Vietnam. His task was to gather documentation on infiltration by North Vietnamese forces into the South. In a letter of August 17 to Ambassador Nolting, Viet-Nam Task Force Director Sterling J. Cottrell wrote that Jorden had only learned of his assignment the previous week and the suggestion that he be sent had been approved by the President within 24 hours. Cottrell described Jorden as “soft-spoken and willing to listen” and added:
“He is extremely serious about this undertaking and realizes that the material which he is able to assemble with your help and write up is likely to have a considerable influence on U.S. policy decisions. He is also prepared for the fact that he may not be able to obtain enough evidence to make a fully impressive case.” (Department of State, Viet-Nam Working Group Files: Lot 66 D 193, VN 1961 Presidential Program Psychological TF 26 thru 31)