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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-LCH-01
In this interview Heinz discusses how he came to work in the Office of International Security Affairs [ISA] in the Department of Defense [DOD]; the changeover in the DOD between the Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy Administrations; Heinz’s view of the Bay of Pigs; the regular operations and organization within ISA, including the different regional desks’ responsibilities; relationships between the ISA and other agencies; ISA as “the little State Department”; differences of opinion between DOD and the State Department, the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the debate over whether to put troops in Laos; Robert S. McNamara and Roswell L. Gilpatric; the status of Okinawa; the question of U.S. defense perimeters; and W. Averell Harriman’s trip to Geneva and the neutralization solution for Laos, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-11-25-A
AR41, ST34, KN40
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1961-03-24-F
ST01, KN01
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-08
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] Cabinet and appointing the various secretaries; problems in and JFK’s wariness of the Department of State; the ideal State Department organization; problems with Dean Rusk; Maxwell D. Taylor’s Cuba investigation; the Bay of Pigs and its effect on U.S. action in Laos; John McCone’s prediction of missiles in Cuba; Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson and foreign policy; JFK’s vice-presidential choice at the 1960 Democratic National Convention; Johnson’s hesitant acceptance of the vice-presidential slot; RFK’s appointment as Attorney General; RFK’s involvement in staffing the White House for JFK and other presidential appointments; Lord Harlech (William David Ormsby-Gore); and State Department staff, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-WSS-01
This interview focuses on the personal and professional relationship between Symington and John F. Kennedy (JFK), JFK’s extraordinary charisma, and the transformation of the Defense Department under Robert McNamara, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-06-12-A
AR38, ST25
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-05-29-A
ST11, KN17
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-09-28-E
AR27, ST14, KN23
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-10-29-A
ST15
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-12-27-B
ST18
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-04-14-C
KN15
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-04-14-B
KN15
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-01-03-A
ST08
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-A17-1-61
Bill signing - Commission restoring the 5-star rank of General of the Army to President Dwight D. Eisenhower (DDE). President John F. Kennedy sits at desk. Looking on (L-R): Secretary of the Navy, John Connally, Jr.; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell Gilpatric; Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara; Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson; Secretary of the Army, Elvis Jacob Stahr, Jr.; Secretary of the Air Force, Eugene M. Zuckert. Oval Office, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C73-2-62
President John F. Kennedy stands outdoors with the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and others following a meeting at the residence of C. Michael Paul in Palm Beach, Florida. Left to right: Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General David M. Shoup; Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General Earle G. Wheeler; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; President Kennedy; Chairman of the JCS, General Maxwell D. Taylor; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C53-3-62
President John F. Kennedy (center left, partially hidden) presents a gift of a plaque to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right, at microphones), during General Decker's Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) ceremony; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton (back to camera), holds plaque at left. Standing in back (L-R): Representative George H. Mahon of Texas (partially hidden on edge of frame); Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Helen Decker; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); General Maxwell D. Taylor; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze (partially hidden); General Decker's children, James Inman Decker and Jane Decker Francisco; Secretary of the Army, Cyrus R. Vance. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-ST-C53-1-62
President John F. Kennedy delivers remarks at the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker. Left to right: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer; Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn (mostly hidden); Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; President Kennedy (at microphones); General Decker; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's children, James Inman Decker and Jane Decker Francisco; Secretary of the Army, Cyrus R. Vance. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24331
Retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right, at microphones), delivers remarks after receiving the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM); President John F. Kennedy stands left of General Decker. Standing in back (L-R): Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's son, James Inman Decker. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24330
President John F. Kennedy shakes hands with retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (center right), after presenting him with the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). Standing in back (L-R): Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's son, James Inman Decker. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24329
President John F. Kennedy presents the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right). Looking on (L-R): Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's son, James Inman Decker. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C. [Blemish in left portion of image is original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24328
President John F. Kennedy shakes hands with retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right), after presenting him with the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). Standing in back (L-R): Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Helen Decker; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri (partially hidden); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's son, James Inman Decker. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24327
President John F. Kennedy presents a gift of a plaque to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right, at microphones), during General Decker's Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) ceremony; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton, holds plaque at left. Looking on (L-R): Representative George H. Mahon of Texas (partially hidden on edge of frame); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric (mostly hidden); Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr. (partially hidden); Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's son, James Inman Decker. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C. [Blemish in upper left portion of image is original to the negative.]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24326
Secretary of the Army, Cyrus R. Vance (at microphones), delivers remarks at the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right); President John F. Kennedy stands left of Secretary Vance. Standing in back (L-R): Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John McCone; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer; Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay (mostly hidden); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze (mostly hidden); General Decker's children, James Inman Decker and Jane Decker Francisco. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24325
Secretary of the Army, Cyrus R. Vance (at microphones), delivers remarks at the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker (right); President John F. Kennedy stands left of Secretary Vance. Standing in back (L-R): Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John McCone; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer; Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri (very back, mostly hidden); General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze (mostly hidden); General Decker's children, James Inman Decker and Jane Decker Francisco. Rose Garden, White House, Washington, D.C.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C24323
Visitors gather in the Rose Garden of the White House, Washington, D.C., for the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) to retiring Chief of Staff of the United States Army, General George H. Decker. Standing on steps to the West Wing Colonnade at left are: President John F. Kennedy; Secretary of the Army, Cyrus R. Vance; General Decker; Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John McCone; Representative George H. Mahon (Texas); Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Lyman L. Lemnitzer; Helen Decker; Deputy Secretary of Defense, Roswell L. Gilpatric; Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W. Anderson, Jr.; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Lt. General John C. Munn; Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, General Curtis E. LeMay; Senator Stuart Symington (Missouri); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; General Maxwell D. Taylor; Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Paul Nitze; General Decker's children, James Inman Decker and Jane Decker Francisco. Also pictured: newsreel photographer for United Press Movietone, Thomas J. Craven, Sr.; White House Secret Service agent, Bill Payne. [Please see the President's schedule for a complete list of attendees.]