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