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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-HAB-02
Brown discusses his job description; the factors that went into his, Robert S. McNamara’s, and John F. Kennedy’s decision making about whether or not a particular weapons system should be developed, and the Nike Zeus and Nike X missile systems, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PBF-02
Fay discusses Jacqueline Kennedy’s relationship with Ethel Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s personal friends, Lafayette Square, balance of payments, his relationship and opinions of Robert S. McNamara, and cost effectiveness and systems analysis in the Department of Defense, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-ACE-01
Enthoven discusses his impressions of Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and his work applying systems analysis to Defense Department problems, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AY-03
Yarmolinsky discusses his assistance in the SKYBOLT affair and Robert S. McNamara’s handling of it. He also discusses how McNamara dealt with the Soviet Union, Cuba, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AY-02
Yarmolinsky discusses his role in converting the Civil Defense program into the Department of Defense. He discusses the Kennedy Administration’s concern for nuclear war, Robert S. McNamara’s involvement, and McNamara’s position regarding nuclear war, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-SLP-01
Pittman discusses Administration support for civil defense programs and the construction of federally funded community fallout shelters, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JKR-01
In this interview Ruina discusses the Nike-Zeus antiballistic-missile-missiles; briefing President John F. Kennedy [JFK] on the Nike-Zeus missiles; JFK’s comprehension of the briefing material and the type of questions he asked; Project Defender; the background and organization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency; the leadership and organization of the Department of Defense; interactions with Robert S. McNamara; competition between the military and the Defense Department on research and development and for resources and congressional funds; the period of new, advanced—but not always useful—technology; and Project AGILE and counterinsurgency efforts in Vietnam, among other issues.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-03-23-D
KN14
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-03-23-B
KN13
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF22-008
This folder contains Walter W. Heller's correspondence with the Department of Defense. Types of material include letters, memoranda, directives, press releases, and reports. Correspondents include Roswell L. Gilpatric (Deputy Secretary of Defense) and Elvis J. Stahr, Jr. (Secretary of the Army). The file also contains a Congressional report on providing for fallout protection in federal structures and nonprofit institutions; an excerpt from the Federal Civil Defense Guide; and information on the National Fallout Shelter Survey Marking and Stocking Program.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20728
President John F. Kennedy views “Pioneer 5” probing satellite during a tour of space craft displays inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown (wearing glasses); Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; President Kennedy; Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20727
President John F. Kennedy (center) views the Discoverer XIV satellite during a tour of space craft displays inside a hangar at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, stands behind President Kennedy.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20719
President John F. Kennedy and others watch Atlas 134D missile launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown (in back); President Kennedy; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; Major General Joseph J. Preston (behind General Power); Brigadier General Seth J. McKee.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20718
President John F. Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) and others gather to watch Atlas 134D missile launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; President Kennedy; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara (in back, partially hidden); Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; Major General Joseph J. Preston.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20717
President John F. Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) and others watch Atlas 134D missile launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; unidentified man in back; President Kennedy; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara (behind the President); Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; Brigadier General Seth J. McKee.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20713
President John F. Kennedy views silo-lift launcher and Minuteman missile in its underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Unidentified photographer; Military Aide to the President, General Chester V. Clifton; Brigadier General Seth J. McKee; White House Secret Service agent, Roy Kellerman; President Kennedy; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; White House Secret Service agent, Gerald A. “Jerry” Behn; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; unidentified.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20712
President John F. Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) views silo-lift launcher and Minuteman missile in its underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Brigadier General Seth J. McKee; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Major General Joseph J. Preston; President Kennedy; Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; White House Secret Service agent, Gerald A. “Jerry” Behn; unidentified; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20711
President John F. Kennedy (wearing sunglasses) views silo-lift launcher and Minuteman missile in its underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Brigadier General Seth J. McKee; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Major General Joseph J. Preston; President Kennedy; Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; unidentified; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20702
President John F. Kennedy tours Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Left to right: Brigadier General Seth J. McKee; Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; President Kennedy; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh (on edge of image).
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20691
President John F. Kennedy (center) meets members of Warren Air Force Base’s 389th Strategic Missile Wing, following the launch of the Atlas 134D missile. Crew members (L-R): Kenneth Haithcoat, Major Clifford W. Simonson (left of President Kennedy), SMSgt Chupka (behind Major Simonson), Roger Egert, Sherman Jackson, Gerald Beth, MSgt Reginald Bufkin, TSgt Arnold Kovakka, SSgt Dale Howe, A1C J. W. Hill, and Frank Waters. Also pictured: Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; Major General Joseph J. Preston; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; White House Secret Service agents, Gerald A. “Jerry” Behn and Toby Chandler. Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20684
President John F. Kennedy (right) speaks with Major Clifford W. Simonson (center) of the 389th Strategic Missile Wing (Warren Air Force Base), following the launch of the Atlas 134D missile. Crew member of the 389th Strategic Missile Wing, A1C J. W. Hill, stands at left. Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power, stands next to President Kennedy. Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, stands at far left (back to camera). Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20681
President John F. Kennedy views a silo-lift launcher and Minuteman missile in its underground silo at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Also pictured: Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Brigadier General Seth J. McKee; White House Secret Service agents Gerald A. “Jerry” Behn and Bob Lilley; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20678
President John F. Kennedy (center) meets members of Warren Air Force Base’s 389th Strategic Missile Wing, following the launch of the Atlas 134D missile. Crew members (L-R): Major Clifford W. Simonson, Kenneth Haithcoat, SMSgt Chupka, Roger Egert, Sherman Jackson, Gerald Beth, MSgt Reginald Bufkin, TSgt Arnold Kovakka, SSgt Dale Howe, A1C J. W. Hill, and Frank Waters. Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power, stands next to President Kennedy. At right: Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; White House Secret Service agent, Bob Lilley; Major General Joseph J. Preston. Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20677
Major Clifford W. Simonson (wearing white jumpsuit, far left) of the 389th Strategic Missile Wing (Warren Air Force Base) presents President John F. Kennedy with a silver badge marking the launch of the Atlas 134D missile earlier in the day. Crew members (L-R): Major Simonson, Kenneth Haithcoat, SMSgt Chupka, Roger Egert, Sherman Jackson, Gerald Beth, MSgt Reginald Bufkin, TSgt Arnold Kovakka, SSgt Dale Howe, A1C J. W. Hill, and Frank Waters. Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power, stands to right of President Kennedy. White House Secret Service agent, Toby Chandler, stands at far left. Standing in group at right: Major General Joseph J. Preston; Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara; Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown; Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh; White House Secret Service agent, Roy Kellerman. Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. [See also MO 63.1523, “Atlas Missile Badge”]
Photograph
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-KN-C20676
President John F. Kennedy meets members of Warren Air Force Base’s 389th Strategic Missile Wing, following the launch of the Atlas 134D missile. Crew members (L-R): Major Clifford W. Simonson (partially hidden), Kenneth Haithcoat, SMSgt Chupka, Roger Egert, Sherman Jackson, Gerald Beth, MSgt Reginald Bufkin, TSgt Arnold Kovakka, SSgt Dale Howe, A1C J. W. Hill, and Frank Waters. Also pictured: Commander of Strategic Air Command, General Thomas S. Power (next to Major Simonson); Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara (center right, partially hidden); Director of Research and Development for the Department of Defense, Dr. Harold Brown (at right, wearing suit and tie); Air Force Aide to the President, Brigadier General Godfrey T. McHugh (at right); Major General Joseph J. Preston (behind Brig. Gen. McHugh, on far right edge of image). Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.