Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume II, Vietnam, January–June 1965

257. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Vietnam¹

Washington, April 15, 1965, 9:46 p.m.

2332. For Ambassador Taylor from McGeorge Bundy. The President has just approved an important cable to you on future military deployments,² and I believe you may find these personal comments helpful.

The President has repeatedly emphasized his personal desire for a strong experiment in the encadrement of U.S. troops with Vietnamese. He is also very eager to see prompt experiments in use of energetic teams of U.S. officials in support of provisional [provincial?] governments under unified U.S. leadership. These desires are the source of corresponding paragraphs in our message.

On further troop deployments, President’s belief is that current situation requires use of all practicable means of strengthening position in South Vietnam and that additional U.S. troops are important if not decisive reinforcement. He has not seen evidence of negative result of deployments to date, and does not wish to wait any longer than is essential for genuine GVN agreement.

President always intended these plans be reviewed with you and approved by Quat before final execution, and we regret any contrary impression given by our messages in recent days.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Nodis.
2. Document 256.