March 9–June 28: Buddhist “Struggle Movement”; Emphasis on Non-Military Programs; Escalation of the Bombing
153. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate the time of transmission; the telegram was received at 7:15 p.m. Rostow forwarded the text of the telegram to the President at 11:45 a.m. on June 9 under cover of a memorandum stating that it was “worth reading through to the end” and had “much more good news than bad.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President—Walt W. Rostow, vol. 5)
154. Telephone Conversation Between President Johnson and Senator Mike Mansfield
Source: Johnson Library, Recordings and Transcripts, Recording of Telephone Conversation between Johnson and Mansfield, Tape F66.16, Side B, PNO 1. No classification marking. This transcript was prepared by the Office of the Historian specifically for this volume.
155. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Komer) to President Johnson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Komer Files, Memos to the President, March-June 1966. Secret. Komer sent copies of the attachment to Rostow and Taylor under a June 17 covering memorandum in which he stated that the President was “strongly in favor” of his proposals. (Ibid.)
156. Message From President Johnson to Prime Minister Wilson
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President—Walt W. Rostow, vol. 6. Top Secret; Personal; Exdis. The message was drafted by Rusk, reviewed by the President, and redrafted by Rusk and Rostow in light of the Presidentʼs instructions. Rostow informed Read in a June 14 memorandum that the message had been sent that day and that an information copy had gone to McNamara. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S)
157. Memorandum From William N. Morell, Jr., of the Central Intelligence Agency to the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow)
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President—Walt W. Rostow, vol. 7. Top Secret; [codeword not declassified]. The memorandum and attachment were forwarded to the President on June 16.
158. Memorandum From the Ambassador to Vietnam (Lodge) to the Presidentʼs Special Assistant (Rostow)
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Vietnam, vol. LV. Secret. Lodge forwarded the memorandum to Rostow under cover of a memorandum dated June 17. (Ibid.)
159. Summary Notes of the 559th Meeting of the National Security Council
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings File. Top Secret; Sensitive. Drafted by Bromley Smith.
160. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Priority; Nodis. The source text does not indicate the time of transmission; the telegram was received at 7:36 a.m. and passed to the White House.
161. Notes of President Johnsonʼs Meeting With the National Security Council
Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, NSC Meetings File. No classification marking. Prepared by George Christian. In a memorandum to Bromley Smith dated October 30, 1968, Christian stated: “I have reconstructed the NSC meeting of June 22 from sketchy notes I took which have been locked up for all this time.” (Ibid., White House Central Files, Ex FG 11–5) The meeting was held in the Cabinet Room and lasted from 12:50 to 2:20 p.m. (Ibid., Presidentʼs Daily Diary)
162. Telegram From the Embassy in Vietnam to the Department of State
Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Secret; Immediate; Nodis/Nina. The source text does not indicate the time of transmission; the telegram was received at 9:02 a.m. Rostow forwarded the text of the telegram to the President at 11:50 a.m. on June 23 under cover of a memorandum stating: “Thieuʼs reaction to your decision is worth reading.” (Johnson Library, National Security File, Memos to the President—Walt W. Rostow, vol. 7)
163. Letter From George B. Kistiakowsky to Secretary of Defense McNamara
Source: Washington National Records Center, RG 330, McNamara Vietnam Files: FRC 77–0075, Vietnam, 1966. Confidential; Privileged.