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About Oral History
Digital Identifier
JFKOH-MJH-01
Interviewee(s)
Hillenbrand, Martin J. (Martin Joseph), 1915-2005
Biographical Note
(1915 - 2005) Director, Office of German Affairs, Department of State (1958 - 1962); director, Berlin Task Force (1962 - 1963); U.S. Ambassador, Hungary (1967 - 1969); Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (1969 - 1972); U.S. Ambassador, Germany (1972 - 1976)
Interviewer(s)
Paul R. Sweet
Access Restriction Status
Open
Use Restriction Status
None
Description
In this interview Hillenbrand discusses President John F. Kennedy [JFK] entering office amid the Berlin crisis; working as the Director of the Office of German Affairs with JFK; the Berlin Task Force and the Ambassadorial Group; JFK's attitude towards the German problem and German reactions to the Kennedy Administration; the State Department and Germany; the 1961 Vienna talks with Nikita S. Khrushchev; the erection of the Berlin Wall and the crisis it generated; the Kennedy Administration's reaction and response to the Berlin Wall; talks with Russia over Berlin and the Wall; the press "leaks crisis" on the Germany problem; JFK's working style and approach to problems, according to Hillenbrand; the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the Berlin talks; JFK's German policy and relationship with German leaders; and what JFK accomplished related to Germany, among other issues.
Date(s) of Materials
26 August 1964
Deed Status
Deeded
Copyright Status
Donated to the United States
Collection
Series
Series 1. John F. Kennedy Oral History Interviews, 1964-2012.
Preferred Citation
Martin J. Hillenbrand, recorded interview by Paul R. Sweet, August 26, 1964, (page number), John F. Kennedy Library Oral History Program.
Subject(s)
Person(s)
Organization(s)
Place(s)
Use Restriction Note
Some of the archival materials in this collection may be subject to copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Users of these materials are advised to determine the copyright status of any document from which they wish to publish.
Accession Number
OH 1965-029
Transcript
Page Last Updated
October 28, 2023 9:18:57 AM EDT