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  3. Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume I, Vietnam, 1964
  4. Document 274

274. Memorandum of a Telephone Conversation Between the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense (McNamara)1

Washington , August 4, 1964, 9:55 a.m.

TELEPHONE CALL TO SECRETARY McNAMARA

Sec wanted to be sure there would be as much force as needed. M said Wheeler had called the commandant of CINCPAC and they will put the whole 7th Fleet out there if necessary. M said the President agreed with out position; he was very much concerned about what additional retaliatory steps we should take. Sec said one thing is to go after the boats. M said he would be inclined to do more than that, pick out a target of our own and go after that. M said he would have something for discussion at lunch.

  1. Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations. No classification marking. Transcribed by Carolyn J. Proctor.↩