Godfrey T. McHugh (#8.14)

A Register of His White House Files, 1961-1964
In the John F. Kennedy Library
National Archives and Records Administration

Administrative Information
Biographical Note
Collection Overview
List of Series
Series Description


Administrative Information

Abstract
White House Staff Files 1961-1964
General, U.S. Air Force. Air Force Aide to the President. Correspondence, memorandums, reports, passenger lists, flight schedules, itineraries for Presidential trips.

Access
Open. 

Usage Restrictions
According to the letter of transfer 1965, copyright of these materials has been assigned to the United States.  Documents in this collection that were prepared by officials of the United States as part of their official duties are in the public domain. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.

Provenance
The White House staff files of Godfrey T. McHugh, White House Air Force Aide to the President, were donated to the John F. Kennedy Library in 1965 as part of the papers of John F. Kennedy.

Extent
About 33,600 pages (18 linear feet, 10 linear inches ; 21.67 cubic feet).

Withdrawn Items
As required by the terms of the deed of gift, one hundred forty-two (142) items, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or libel of a living person, have been removed and placed under seal. Twenty (20) items containing national security classified information have been removed as well. Document withdrawal sheets listing the closed items have been inserted in the file where items have been removed. The library will review this closed material upon request for the purpose of opening items which no longer require restriction. Researchers may request that the documents containing national security classified information be submitted for mandatory review for possible declassification. In addition, boxes 24 - 27 and 35 - 42 are closed in their entirety under the terms of the deed of gift.

Date Opened
August 1983.

Processed by
Barbara Anderson and Megan Floyd Desnoyers

Encoded by
Ronald E. Whealan

Revisions
Electronic version prepared by Ronald E. Whealan, December 21, 2001.
Finding aid reformatted in December 2005 by James M. Roth.

Related Collections
Records of U.S. President's Advisory Commission on Narcotics and Drug Abuse, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
  

The White House Files of Godfrey T. McHugh (1911-1997)

Biographical Note
As the Air Force aide to the President, General Godfrey T. McHugh was responsible for air transportation for the President and Mrs. Kennedy, cabinet officers and other U.S. officials, White House staff, and important foreign dignitaries. A presidential trip involved the cooperation and coordination of the Air Force aide's office, the Secret Service, branches of the military, and other members of the President's staff. If the trip was to a foreign country, the staff also had to work with their foreign counterparts. The Air Force aide and his staff compiled the passenger lists, set flight schedules and itineraries, went on the advance flights, and were responsible for the security of Air Force One while it was on the ground. In addition, General McHugh and the other two military aides, Captain Tazewell Shepard for the Navy and General Chester Clifton for the Army, kept the President informed of what was happening in their respective branches of the service. The President also referred matters relating to the Air Force or its responsibilities to General McHugh for action.

Collection Overview
The Presidential papers of John F. Kennedy consist of several major bodies of research material. The White House Central Subject File is the principal White House file. The White House Name File contains copies of most incoming correspondence arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent and is cross-referenced to the Subject File. The Chronological File contains copies of documents prepared for the President's signature and is also cross-referenced to the Subject File. The Social File contains the records of the White House Social Office and includes the correspondence of the First Lady. The President's Office File contains the papers maintained by the President's personal secretary for his use. The National Security File contains the records of the staff of the special assistant to the President for national security affairs.

In addition, in what were called in the White House "storage" or "overflow" files are found various miscellaneous materials and the records of the offices of most members of the President's staff. The files described in this finding aid constitute one of the series of White House staff files included in the Presidential papers of John F. Kennedy.

The White House Staff Files of Godfrey T. McHugh cover the period of January 1961 through January 1964. The papers are arranged into five series: Trip File, Subject File, Presidential Aircraft Access Log, Flight Files, and U.S. Air Force Service Case Files. The Trip File, Access Log, and Flight Files series document General McHugh's responsibilities as Air Force Aide, including air transportation for the President, setting passenger lists, setting flight schedules and itineraries, participating in advance flights, and responsibility for security.   The Subject File and the U.S. Air Force Service Case Files series document military aides updates to the President from their respective branches of service as well as the President referring matters relating to the Air Force to General McHugh for action.   The Trip File, Subject File, and Flight File series are open for research use, but the Case Files and Access Log series are closed to research.
  

List of Series
Series 1. Trip File, 1961-1964
Series 2. Subject File
Series 3. Presidential Aircraft Access Log, 1961–1963
Series 4. Flight Files, 1961-1963
Series 5. U.S. Air Force Service Case Files

Series Description

Series 1. Trip File, 1961-1964.
Arrangement: chronological by year, thereunder alphabetical by category.

This series contains passenger manifests, flight schedules, background information and related memoranda for flights of President and/or Mrs. Kennedy, cabinet officers, White House staff, couriers, congressmen, and distinguished foreign visitors.  Oversize blueprints from box 7 can be found in oversize box 43.
  

Series 2. Subject File.
Arrangement: alphabetical by subject.

This series contains memoranda, reports, pamphlets, clippings, and/or correspondence on the subjects General McHugh discussed with or handled for the President. The subjects generally relate to air transportation or the Air Force.  Oversize blueprints from box 21 can be found in oversize box 43.
  

Series 3. Presidential Aircraft Access Log, 1961–1963.
CLOSED.
Arrangement: chronological.

This series contains completed aircraft access control logs. This series is closed.
  

Series 4. Flight Files, 1961-1963.
Arrangement: chronological.

This series consists of flight folders containing completed forms, lists of crew and passengers, itineraries and related memos and telegrams. These are the official records and technical items relating to the flight itself while the Trip File includes the more general material.
  

Series 5. U.S. Air Force Service Case Files.
CLOSED.
Arrangement: alphabetical.

This series contains correspondence and reports on Air Force personnel which were addressed to the President or to General McHugh. Most relate to adverse Air Force action which the writer wants reconsidered.