Initiation of a program of air strikes against North Vietnam; Introduction of U.S. ground combat forces, February 11–March 8
169. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Confidential. Repeated to Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Tokyo, Vientiane, London, Manila, Seoul, and CINCPAC for POLAD. Received in the Department of State at 3:08 a.m.
170. Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)
Source: Johnson Library, Westmoreland Papers, History Backup #13. Top Secret. Also sent to Westmoreland.
172. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Rowan) to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXIX. Confidential.
173. Memorandum From Chester L. Cooper of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXX. Top Secret.
174. Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)
Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers,COMUSMACV Message Files. Top Secret. Also sent to Sharp.
176. Draft Memorandum by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (McNaughton)
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, Vol. XXX. Top Secret. The source text is labeled “2nd draft.” No copy of the first draft has been found. For William Bundy’s point-by-point reaction to these proposals, see his March 2 memorandum to McNaughton. (Ibid.)
177. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis.
178. Telegram From the Office of the Secretary of Defense to the Embassy in Vietnam
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted and released by Vance. Printed in part in Pentagon Papers: Gravel Edition, vol. III, p. 337.
180. Telegram From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland)
Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers,COMUSMACV, Message Files. Top Secret. Also sent to Sharp.
181. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs (Bundy) to Secretary of State Rusk
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Unger and cleared by Green. A note on the source text indicates that copies were sent to Ball, Cooper, Thompson, and Ambassador Taylor.
182. Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)
Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers,COMUSMACV, Message Files. Top Secret. Also sent to Sharp.
183. 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. IX. Secret; Personal and Sensitive.
184. Memorandum From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler) to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/Admin File: FRC 70 A 1265, Vietnam 381. Top Secret.
185. Telegram From the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp) to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Wheeler)
Source: Center of Military History, Westmoreland Papers, COMUSMACV, Message Files Top Secret. Repeated to COMUSMACV.
186. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to CINCPAC for POLAD.
187. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Nodis.