Office of the Historian

145. Memorandum for the Record1

Washington, September 20, 1965.

SUBJECT

  • JCS Executive Session with SecDef and Deputy SecDef, 20 Sep 65, 1400 hours
1.
This was the first of the regular Monday meetings in executive session with only the Chiefs present initiated by the Chairman for better communication between the Chiefs and SecDef. At the conclusion all the Chiefs felt it had been one of the most useful meetings.
2.
The SecDef doubted that there was a need for more air power in Vietnam. He wondered if some of the air effort was not wasted. The Chairman indicated that Westmoreland had set up a group to study this.
3.
The SecDef wondered what lies ahead for US troops. Based on the thesis that a moderately successful blunting of the VC Monsoon strategy has occurred, it would appear doubtful that the VC would make sustained attacks for the next three to six months. What strategy will VC use? Will they go to small-scale operations, and if so how do we combat it? The Marines favor an oil spot strategy, expanding their enclaves gradually to hook them together to keep the VC from getting the rice in the coastal plain, mingling with the population there; at the same time training Regional Forces and Popular Forces to take over. SecDef wonders how we hasten this process. It was pointed out that Westmoreland’s concept for US forces would prevent main force concentrations; combination of US and RVN forces to attack main force sanctuaries that had been in existence for 25 years, move in and drive them out, then police by RVN. Do away with the sanctuaries. At the same time build up RVN forces. There should be a day when US forces should leave the country. By the end of October we need a plan, a strategy. The Chairman noted that Westmoreland has developed a strategy and a plan in conjunction with the senior Vietnam leadership and Ambassador Lodge.
4.
The Secretary of Defense spoke with regard to the next Rolling Thunder, indicating some fixed targets have not been too useful, that fixed targets should be somewhat extended to interdiction in the northwest rail and road lines, increasing slowly with no dramatic impact.
5.
The matter of air defense should be reviewed by the Army and Air Force.
6.
The SecDef concluded with a talk about leaks on security. He pointed out the many times he had gone into this, including some investigations [Page 399] he had had, which really produced no substantial results, but he urged everyone to look into this again, maybe with a new group, to see what could be done. He pointed out that some leaks had probably resulted in increased casualties for the US and he wished it could be stopped.
7.
In leaving he mentioned that he would like to have one of the Chiefs go to Vietnam about each quarter. It was pointed out that General McConnell is going in October and General Wheeler plans to be there at Christmastime.
Creighton W. Abrams
General, United States Army
Acting Chief of Staff
  1. Source: U.S. Military History Institute, Johnson Papers, Close Hold File No. 3. Top Secret. Drafted by Abrams on September 27.↩