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

280. Telegram From the Department of Defense to the Embassy in Vietnam¹

Washington, April 30, 1965, 7:29 a.m.

DEF 1097. This is a joint State-Defense message. Ref Saigon 3552.²

1. In response to your request in reftel, decision has been taken to deploy in early May, at your call, three battalion equivalents into Bien Hoa/Vung Tau and three battalion equivalents into Chu Lai; Marine air unit will be deployed later in May. Decision as to deployment of additional US battalions in June will be postponed until later, when decision is required to meet deployment schedule.

2. First movement, to Bien Hoa/Vung Tau, will begin 24 hours from time of your call and will reach SVN within about one day. Second movement, to Chu Lai, can reach SVN 5 May. Marine air will close Chu Lao on completion air strip there in mid-May.

3. Seabees, already authorized, are due to arrive Vietnam in time to begin construction at Chu Lai once Marine battalions in place there.

4. You should inform Quat of these decisions and schedules immediately and work out with him announcement or announcements in accordance recommendation para 4 your reftel.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret; Limdis. Drafted by McNaughton and concurred in by McNamara and Wheeler. Repeated to CINCPAC and COMUSMACV.
2. Document 276.