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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.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RMB-01
Bissell discusses the planning for the Bay of Pigs invasion, including the timing of when John F. Kennedy learned of the plans, the Joint Chiefs of Staffs’ involvement in the planning, and the possibility for alternate outcomes, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-ROWK-05
In this interview Komer discusses working with McGeorge Bundy; the “inner circle” of the Bundy State Department; Komer’s major contacts; the intelligence system; the power and responsibilities of the State Department; how Bundy screened what President John F. Kennedy [JFK] would see; relations with other key officials; Robert F. Kennedy and foreign policy issues; the Bundy State Department and White House staff; the “little State Department” in the White House; the bureaucratic role of the State Department; U.S. foreign policy in Asia; relations with key U.S. Ambassadors; handling Arab-Israeli issues; domestic pressures of American-Jewish community on JFK; Arabists in the Kennedy Administration; working with Myer Feldman on Israeli issues; the United States, Saudi Arabia, and oil; filling the power vacuum left by the British; dealing with Congress on foreign aid matters; counterinsurgency; and looking back at programs during the Kennedy Administration, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-GHD-01
Decker discusses the Joint Chiefs of Staff Laotian policy, the Joint Chiefs’ role in the Bay of Pigs planning and execution, and the Joint Chiefs’ relationship with Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-25C-1
The recording of this conversation begins on Dictation Belt 25B.2 Sound recording of part of a telephone conversation held on August 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana. They continue to discuss arrangements for General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Joint Chiefs, to speak to United States Senators about a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The Senators include Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, his Preparedness Investigation Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 25C, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-25C, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 25C.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-25C
Dictation Belt 25C contains two sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 25C.1 begins on Dictation Belt 25B.2 Item 25C.1 is a sound recording of part of a telephone conversation held on August 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana. They continue to discuss arrangements for General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Joint Chiefs, to speak to United States Senators about a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The Senators include Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, his Preparedness Investigation Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Item 25C.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 13, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Deputy Special Counsel to the President Myer “Mike” Feldman. They discuss options for dealing with “Life Line,” including some role for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The recording begins in mid-conversation, and machine noise follows the conversation.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-25B-2
Sound recording of part of a telephone conversation held on August 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana. They discuss arrangements for General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Joint Chiefs, to speak to United States Senators about a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The Senators include Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, his Preparedness Investigation Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 25C.1.
Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 25B, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-25B, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 25B.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-25B
Dictation Belt 25B contains two sound recordings. The recording of the conversation in item 25B.1 begins on Dictation Belt 25A.6. Item 25B.1 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 7, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Representative Martha W. Griffiths of Michigan. They continue to discuss their positions on a tax bill and its possible effects on the economy and politics. Following the conversation, there is machine noise and [White House Operator?] answers the telephone. Item 25B.2 is part of a telephone conversation held on August 12, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana. They discuss arrangements for General Maxwell D. Taylor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other Joint Chiefs, to speak to United States Senators about a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The Senators include Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi, his Preparedness Investigation Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The recording of this conversation ends abruptly and continues on Dictation Belt 25C.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-132-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at the swearing-in ceremonies of General Maxwell D. Taylor as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff held in the White House Rose Garden.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-07-10-B
ST12, KN19
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-12-27-B
ST18
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-319-005
This folder contains a report on the internal organization of the Joint Staff and Armed Services for counterinsurgency matters including creation of the Office of the Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency Activities (SACSA), brief biographies of officers in key positions, and organizational charts. Also included in this folder is a summary report of counterinsurgency accomplishments since January 1961.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-334-014
This file contains memoranda and papers regarding continuing education and training in the areas of national security and foreign affairs, counter-insurgency training objectives, and the implementation of National Security Action Memoranda number 131 (NSAM 131) titled, “Training Objectives for Counter-Insurgency.” Also included is a copy of NSAM 131 to Secretary of State Dean Rusk; Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara; Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; General Lyman Lemnitzer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director of Central Intelligence John McCone; Fowler Hamilton, Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID); and Edward R. Murrow, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA), from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-333-016
This file contains a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 124 (NSAM 124) titled, “Establishment of the Special Group (Counter-Insurgency),” from President John F. Kennedy to Secretary of State Dean Rusk; Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara; Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; General Lyman Lemnitzer, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Director of Central Intelligence John McCone; Fowler Hamilton, Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID); Edward R. Murrow, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA); and General Maxwell Taylor, Military Representative to the President.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-333-005
This file contains tabs A-15 through A-25 from a memorandum for General Maxwell Taylor from the Department of Defense titled, “Report on Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America,” and discusses proposals by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The memorandum is in response to National Security Action Memoranda number 118 (NSAM 118) titled, “Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-333-004
This file contains a memorandum for General Maxwell Taylor from the Department of Defense titled, “Report on Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America,” and discusses proposals by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The memorandum is in response to National Security Action Memoranda number 118 (NSAM 118) titled, “Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America.”
Textual folder
Papers of Robert F. Kennedy. Attorney General Papers
RFKAG-215-003
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-340-012
This file contains a draft and copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 226 (NSAM 226) titled, “Directive Relating to the Transmittal of Information to the Watch Committee of the USIB [United States Intelligence Board],” to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Commerce Luther H. Hodges, Director of the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) Edward McDermott, Director of the Bureau of the Budget Kermit Gordon, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Glenn T. Seaborg, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Taylor, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James E. Webb, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) J. Edgar Hoover from President John F. Kennedy.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-339-006
This file contains a draft and copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 196 (NSAM 196) titled, “Establishment of an Executive Committee of the National Security Council,” to Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Maxwell Taylor, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone from President John F. Kennedy.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-338-017
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 189 (NSAM 189) titled, "Presidential Meeting on Laos, September 28, 1962," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone from Carl Kaysen, Deputy Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-338-014
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 186 (NSAM 186) titled, "Countries under the Cognizance of the Special Group (CI)," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Administrator for the Agency for International Development (AID) Fowler Hamilton, and Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-338-012
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 184 (NSAM 184) titled, "Countries under the Cognizance of the Special Group (CI)," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Administrator for the Agency for International Development (AID) Fowler Hamilton, and Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-338-010
This file contains a draft and copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 182 (NSAM 182) titled, “Counterinsurgency Doctrine,” to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer, Director of Central Intelligence John McCone, Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) Fowler Hamilton, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow, and Military Representative to the President General Maxwell Taylor from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Also included is a paper prepared by the Department of State in conjunction with the Special Group (CI) titled, “U.S. Overseas Internal Defense Policy.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-338-007
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 180 (NSAM 180) titled, “Membership of the Special Group (CI),” to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer, Director of Central Intelligence John McCone, Administrator of the Agency for International Development (AID) Fowler Hamilton, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow, and Military Representative to the President General Maxwell Taylor from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-337-013
This file contains a draft and copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 173 (NSAM 173) titled, "Interdepartmental Field Visits," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman L. Lemnitzer, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Administrator for the Agency for International Development (AID) Fowler Hamilton, Director of the United States Information Agency (USIA) Edward R. Murrow, and Chairman of the Special Group (Counterinsurgency) Ambassador Henry A. Byroade from President John F. Kennedy. Also included is the report by the Fourth Interdepartmental Survey Group titled, "Report for the President on Liberia and Tunisia." This file contains material that is closed due to security restrictions.