Office of the Historian

61. Telegram From Acting Secretary of Defense Vance to Secretary of Defense McNamara, in Vietnam1

Washington, July 17, 1965, 3:42 p.m.

172042Z. Yesterday I met three times with Highest Authority on actions associated with 34 battalion plan. In summary, he stated:

1.
It is his current intention to proceed with 34 battalion plan.
2.
It is impossible for him to submit supplementary budget request of more than $300-400 million to the Congress before next January.
3.
If a larger request is made to the Congress, he believes this will kill domestic legislative program.
4.
We should be prepared to explain to the Congress that we have adequate authority and funds, by use of deficit financing, $700 million supplemental and possible small current supplemental, to finance recommended operations until next January, when we will be able to come up with clear and precise figures as to what is required.

I asked Highest Authority whether request for legislation authorizing call-up of reserves and extension of tours of duty would be acceptable in the light of his comments concerning domestic program, and he stated that it would.

I pointed out that we would have great difficulties with Senator Stennis concerning this course of action. He said that he recognized that we would but [Page 163] we would just have to bull it through. He requested that I talk to Senator Russell on Monday,2 and I will do so.

I have talked to Charlie Hitch and Paul Ignatius about this, and the three of us will determine whether we can achieve what Highest Authority desires. I have also talked to McGeorge Bundy but do not plan to mention it to anyone else.

In meantime, planning exercise is proceeding according to schedule and we expect to have plans completed for your review upon return. Also expect to send you draft Presidential message and draft speech by back channel cable3 this weekend. Signed Vance.

  1. Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, OSD/General Counsel Files: FRC 75 A 62, Box 55, Binder 35, SecDef Cable Files. Top Secret; Literally Eyes Only. Sent to MACV headquarters in Saigon with an instruction to the Duty Officer to deliver it personally to McNamara only. The source text has a stamped indication that Secretary McNamara saw it.↩
  2. July 19.↩
  3. Not found.↩