Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-111-016
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Asia. Materials concern an economic report of Vietnam, memoranda to the President from Special Assistant for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy of summaries of meetings regarding Southeast Asia, and Southeast Asian planning. Also included in this folder is a memorandum by the President's Special Representative for Asian, African, and Latin American Affairs Chester Bowles titled, "The Situation in South Asia: Its Implications for U.S. Policy."
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-003
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Under Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman, and Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman. Assistant Secretary Hilsman provides a briefing on Vietnam covering whether or not United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge should return to the United States for a briefing, the restoration of constitutional government in Vietnam, and information on the deaths of President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-002
Sound recording of a meeting held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, and Under Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman. They discuss the delivery of wheat on American ships to the Soviet Union, alternatives, and related discussions with American unions. Other topics of discussion include a review of the coup situation in Vietnam; Berlin, Germany; plans for a visit by President of France Charles DeGaulle; and the allocation of resources by the Soviet Union. Also Under Secretary Ball talks to Secretary of Labor W. Willard Wirtz on the telephone. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-001
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 2, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, and Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman. Topics include an assessment of the coup in Vietnam, the issue of recognition of the new regime, reports of deaths of President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu, and a review of the developments leading to coup. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-005
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on November 1, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Far East Division William Colby, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. Topics include a report on the military coup in Vietnam, the constitutional government in Vietnam, a press conference and statement, United States troop movements, incoming cables, and briefing Senator Richard Russell (Georgia). Additional topics include Morocco and Algeria, Cuba, administrative procedures, a vote on United Nations (UN) relief in the Caribbean, and U-2 aircraft. After the meeting, Director of the CIA John McCone makes a telephone call. President Kennedy and Director McCone also discuss the Dominican Republic with topics covering the country's election schedule, political parties, the counter-coup of a few days before, and instructions for U.S. staff. Three segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 34 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-004
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on October 30, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman. They discuss the drafting of a message to United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge, communications, the chain of command, an assessment of the present situation, and United States staffing in Vietnam. Four segments of the recording totaling 12 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-118-003
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on October 29, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Far East Division William Colby, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Military Advisor to the President General Maxwell Taylor, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara; Director of the CIA John McCone, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss an intelligence report on Vietnam, the orientation of various Vietnamese forces, a 1960 coup attempt, messages to United States staff in Vietnam, whether or not United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge should return to the United States, the chain of command, and convoy procedures for Berlin, Germany. Seven segments of the recording totaling 27 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 118/A54, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 118/A54 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-117-004
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on October 25, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Topics include an intelligence report on Vietnam, United States Embassy staffing in South Vietnam, planning, and instructions for United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge. Seven segments of the recording totaling 1 minute and 35 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 117/A53, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 117/A53 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-114-A50b
Sound recording of a meeting on Vietnam held on October 5, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Secretary of Treasury C. Douglas Dillon, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) David Bell, and Senior Member of the National Security Council (NSC) Michael Forrestal. They discuss the possible impact on the government of South Vietnam if the United States cuts off commodities and also discuss the Vietnamese oppression of Buddhists. They also discuss General Paul D. Harkins's meeting with President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem and Colonel Le Quang Tung, the role of United States Ambassador to Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge, conditions needed for the resumption of aid, General Harkins’s role regarding the military, proposed testimony before a Congressional committee, and the timing of the reduction of troops and advisors. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 114/A50, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 114/A50 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-114-A49c
Sound recording of two meetings held on October 2, 1963. First is a brief discussion on Malaysia between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Maxwell Taylor. Topics of discussion include the U.S./ANZUS (The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty) trade obligations and also Australian actions and interpretation of the ANZUS Treaty.Second is a meeting on Vietnam held in the morning between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Maxwell Taylor, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) David Bell, and CIA Deputy Director for Intelligence Ray S. Cline. Discussion topics include news coverage of Viet Cong and American casualties, possible troop reduction, North Vietnamese supply difficulties, Madame Nhu (Tran Le Xuan), and news coverage of a dispute between United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge and the CIA. In addition there are further discussions on the relationship between Ambassador Lodge and CIA station chief in Saigon John H. Richardson, reporting on Richardson, Ambassador Lodge's position regarding South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, and Congressional briefings. During the meeting, President Kennedy has telephone conversations about labor contract talks, a "Time" magazine article, and an upcoming trip. Four segments of the recording totaling 39 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. Three segments of the recording totaling 2 minutes and 57 seconds has been removed in accordance with the donor's deed of gift.
This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 114/A49, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 114/A49 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-111-005
Sound recording of a short (16-minute) meeting about Vietnam held on September 19, 1963. Participants include President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Maxwell Taylor, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. This is seemingly a continuation of the previous day's meeting on Vietnam with more discussion of the planned mission of General Taylor and Secretary McNamara to Vietnam. Details discussed include the date of departure, an announcement of the mission, draft instructions for the mission, and the approach Secretary McNamara should take with President of South Vietnam Ngo Dinh Diem. Also mentioned is the difference between the views of United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge and General Paul D. Harkins. One segment of the recording totaling 9 seconds has been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 111, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 111 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-111-003
Sound recording of a meeting about Vietnam held on September 17, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Maxwell Taylor, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. The discussion centers around a proposed trip of General Taylor and Secretary McNamara to Vietnam. President Kennedy requested this trip as a way to get additional viewpoints on the current situation, both political and military, in Vietnam. Much of the discussion centers around how United States Ambassador to South Vietnam Henry Cabot Lodge might react to the proposed trip and how to phrase a letter to Ambassador Lodge. There is also further discussion on South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu and what course of action the United States should take to put pressure on them, particularly on President Diem. Eight segments of the recording totaling 6 minutes and 51 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 111, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 111 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-107-005
Sound recording of a meeting held on August 27, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, former United States Ambassador to Vietnam Frederick Nolting, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell Gilpatric, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) General Marshall Carter, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow, Deputy CIA Director for Plans Richard Helms, Director of the CIA's Far Eastern Division William Colby, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, member of the National Security Council (NSC) Michael Forrestal, Specialist on Counterinsurgency for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) General Victor Krulak, and Executive Secretary of the NSC Bromley Smith. This meeting on Vietnam is a follow-up to the meeting from the day before. President Kennedy asked Frederick Nolting, the recently replaced Ambassador to Vietnam, to attend this meeting in order to discuss his views on the Vietnam situation. One segment of the recording totaling 8 seconds has been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 107, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 107 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-107-004
Sound recording of a meeting held on August 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Taylor, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell Gilpatric, Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Marshall Carter, Director of the CIA's Office of Special Operations (OSO) Richard Helms, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, National Security Council (NSC) member Michael Forrestal, and Specialist on Counterinsurgency for the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Victor Krulak. This meeting on Vietnam takes place the Monday following the now infamous Saturday telegram concerning a possible coup in Vietnam. The meeting is contentious at times between the Department of State and the Department of Defense/White House staff on what steps should be taken in Vietnam. Near the end of the meeting, President Kennedy changes the topic to foreign aid cuts requested by Congress and what can be done to sway opinions in the opposite direction. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 107, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 107 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-096-002
Sound recording of a meeting held on July 4, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Under Secretary of State George Ball, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs Roger Hilsman, and member of the National Security Council Michael Forrestal. The main focus of this White House off-the-record meeting is the situation in Vietnam. The meeting takes place not long after a Buddhist monk burned himself to death to protest the relationship between the government of Vietnam and the Buddhists and amidst recent Buddhist demonstrations. The possibility of a coup in Vietnam and differing staff assessments of that possibility are also presented. Other topics are discussed near the end of the meeting, including Laos, Indonesia, Brazil, and Averell Harriman’s upcoming mission to Moscow concerning the treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), and specific aspects of its negotiations. One segment of the recording totaling 35 seconds has been removed in accordance with the donor's deed of gift. Four segments of the recording totaling 41 seconds have been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 12958. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 96, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 96 in its entirety.