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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-02
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-19C
Dictation Belt 19C contains four sound recordings from May 22, 1963. The recording of the conversation in item 19C.1 begins on Dictation Belt 19B.3. Item 19C.1 is part of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Agriculture Orville L. Freeman. They continue to discuss prospective legislation by congressional Republicans that would present a competing policy on agriculture. Item 19C.2 is a brief telephone exchange between President John F. Kennedy and Senator George Aiken of Vermont. President Kennedy thanks Senator Aiken for his help on a matter involving coffee and Latin America. Item 19C.3 is a telephone conversation held on May 22, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell L. Gilpatric. They discuss staffing issues at the Department of Defense involving congressional liaison David E. McGiffert as a possible replacement for Gilpatric, and the prospect of appointing someone in Public Affairs. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 19C.4 is a brief telephone exchange on May 22, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and George Meany. President Kennedy thanks Meany for his help on an issue involving Canada (the topic is unclear). Before the conversation, [White House Operator?] initiates the call and then, during a delay, voices can be heard in the background.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.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-333-006
This file contains a memorandum for Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara from the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding program proposals for Latin America 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-333-003
This file contains memoranda for McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, from the Department of State regarding policies and program recommendations from the Departments of State and Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff 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-333-002
This file contains copies and drafts of 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,” to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara 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-339-028
This file contains a draft and a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 214 (NSAM 214) titled, “Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara 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-331-018
This folder contains a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 88 (NSAM 88) titled, “Training for Latin American Armed Forces,” to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara from President John F. Kennedy. Also included in this folder are memoranda to the President and General Maxwell Taylor from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and Under Secretary of State Chester Bowles regarding NSAM 88 and the training of Latin American forces in counter-guerilla operations.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-335-019
This file contains a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 140 (NSAM 140) titled, "Participation of U.S. and Latin American Armed Forces in the Attainment of Common Objectives in Latin America," to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Also included are reports and memoranda regarding NSAM 140 and NSAM 118.