169. Editorial Note
On October 18, 1965, at 10:26 a.m., McGeorge Bundy telephoned Secretary Rusk to inform him that Secretary of Defense McNamara would like to arrange for them to meet with George Ball and William Bundy to discuss the “Vietnam bombing problem.” Rusk suggested to McNamara possible times for the meeting, including 6 p.m. on that day. (Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations)
According to Rusk’s Appointment Book, the Secretary met with McNamara, Ball, and McGeorge Bundy at 6:06 p.m. on October 18. (Johnson Library) William Bundy did not attend this meeting. On October 19 at 11:15 a.m., William Bundy called Rusk and stated that he had learned from Assistant Secretary of Defense McNaughton “that there had been some decision between McNamara, Bundy and Sec re looking at pause question.” Rusk replied that “Ball would follow up on that” and asked Bundy to come up to his office. (Department of State, Rusk Files: Lot 72 D 192, Telephone Conversations) No other record of the meeting has been found.