Initiation of a program of air strikes against North Vietnam; Introduction of U.S. ground combat forces, February 11–March 8
139. Special National Intelligence Estimate
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, National Intelligence Estimates File, 10–5, Communist States. Secret; Controlled Dissem. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of AEC, NSA, and the Departments of State and Defense participated in the preparation of this estimate. It was submitted by the Director of Central Intelligence and concurred in by all the members of the U.S. Intelligence Board, except for the Assistant to the Director of the FBI, who abstained on the grounds that the subject was outside his jurisdiction.
140. Memorandum of Discussion at the 549th Meeting of the National Security Council
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings File, Vol. III. Top Secret. Prepared by Cooper. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room.
141. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 VIET S. Secret; Flash; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC, Bangkok, and Vientiane. Received in the Department of State at 2:20 a.m.
142. Memorandum to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXVIII. Secret. No drafting information appears on the source text and it is unsigned. A handwritten note at the top reads: “Sent to the President Per Bundy.”
143. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Source: Department of State, Bohlen Files: Lot 74 D 379, McGeorge Bundy Correspondence. Secret.
144. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret. Drafted by Tyler, approved by the White House on March 5, and by the Office of the Under Secretary of State on March 9.
146. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President, McGeorge Bundy, Vol. VIII. Secret.
147. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 23–9 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Limited Distribution. Drafted by Corcoran and approved by Unger.
148. Department of State Situation Report
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. Secret. Prepared by Corcoran.
149. Memorandum for the Record
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vietnam Policy File—Cables. Top Secret.
150. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by William Bundy and approved by Rusk.
151. Memorandum of Conversation
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL UK-US. Top Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Unger. The time of the meeting is taken from Rusk’s Appointment Book. (Johnson Library)
152. Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the White House
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Repeated to the Department of State, Defense Intelligence Agency, and the National Military Command Center. Received at the White House at 4:51 p.m.
153. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. Top Secret; Priority; Limited Distribution. Repeated to CINCPAC and the Department of State.
154. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. Received in the Department of State at 8:58 a.m.
155. Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret. Repeated to CJCS, the White House, and the Department of State. Received in the National Military Command Center at 1:52 p.m.
156. Draft Paper Prepared by the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy)
Source: Department of State, Bundy Files: Lot 85 D 240, WPB Chron, Jan.-Mar. 1965. Top Secret.
157. Paper Prepared by Secretary of State Rusk
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. Top Secret. The source text is not signed and includes no drafting information, but in a memorandum transmitting it to President Johnson on February 23, Bromley Smith stated: “Secretary Rusk was reading from this paper during the meeting with you this afternoon.” Rusk, together with NcNamara, Ball, William Bundy, and Thompson, met with the President from 5:30 p.m. to 6:23 p.m. on February 23. (Johnson Library, President’s Daily Diary) No other record of the discussion has been found, but see footnote 1, Document 158, for more information on the meeting. The source text bears an indication that the President read it.
158. Memorandum From the Office of Current Intelligence to Director of Central Intelligence McCone
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. 29. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Background Use Only. Rusk called McCone at 1 p.m. on February 23 and told him that, in anticipation of a meeting the President might call that afternoon, a “wrap up” was needed of any evidence regarding Hanoi’s and Beijing’s interest in negotiating a peaceful settlement of the Vietnam conflict. McCone called Rusk back at 5:07 p.m. to tell him that CIA had produced a memorandum but it was still in draft form. Rusk asked McCone to get it to Bromley Smith’s office right away, since the President was holding a meeting on that subject at 5:30 p.m. McCone replied that he might not get it there by then and summarized the memorandum’s principal conclusion. Whether a copy reached the White House in time for the meeting has not been determined. (Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Calls) For more information on the meeting, see footnote 1, Document 157.
159. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by William Bundy and approved by Rusk.
160. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Rowan) to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, Confidential File, CO 312. Confidential. Copy sent to McGeorge Bundy.
162. Memorandum of Telephone Conversation Between Secretary of State Rusk and the Deputy Representative to the United Nations (Yost)
Source: Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Calls. No classification marking. Prepared by Procter. Rusk was in Washington; Yost was in New York. For related information, see Document 161.
163. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Drafted by Unger, cleared in substance by Wheeler, McNaughton, Cooper, Stoneman, and Bunce of USIA, and approved by Rusk and William Bundy.
164. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret.
165. Memorandum for the Record
Source: Johnson Library, John McCone Memorandum of Meetings with the President. Secret. Dictated by McCone and transcribed in his office.
166. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (Smith) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. No classification marking.
167. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Exdis. Received in the Department of State at 5:09 a.m.
168. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to CINCPAC. Drafted by William Bundy and approved by Rusk.1