Office of the Historian

473. Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)1

Washington, December 28, 1964–16:43 p.m.

JCS 5458. 1. Retaliation attack on target 362 as recommended by Ambassador Taylor and CINCPAC discussed at high level meeting presided over by Secretary Rusk at 1130 hours EST.3 There is some disagreement as to mounting attack in view of time elapsed since Brink incident and political situation in Saigon. Decision reached to discuss matter with highest authority by telephone today and in person at Ranch by Secretary Rusk and McGeorge Bundy tomorrow.

2. In view of foregoing, no decision can be anticipated prior to approximately 1400 hours EST 29 December.

3. For CINCPAC: During discussion it was agreed that weight of effort will be held to forty strike sorties and that no napalm will be used. Also agreed that participation by approximately 12 VNAF sorties would be desirable, if practicable. Request that you be prepared to mount attack in accordance with foregoing guidelines; however, VNAF pilots should not be briefed prior to receipt of Washington authorization to strike target 36.

4. For COMUSMACV: Please inform Ambassador Taylor of content this message.

  1. Source: Johnson Library, Westmoreland Papers, Message File, 1964. Secret. Also sent to CINCPAC for Sharp.↩
  2. The Vit Thu Lu Barracks.↩
  3. According to Rusk’s Appointment Book, Wheeler, Vance, Solbert, William and McGeorge Bundy, Forrestal, Greenfield, and Read attended the meeting. No record of the meeting has been found. (Johnson Library)↩