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Conversation: 578-008

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Start Date: 24-Sep-1971 12:07 PM

End Date: 24-Sep-1971 12:23 PM

Participants:

Nixon, Richard M. (President)Laird, Melvin R.Bryant, Cunningham C. (Brig. Gen.)Hunton, Benjamin L. (Brig.)Gravely, Samuel (Rear Adm.)White House photographer

Recording Device: Oval Office

Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 02:57:40

Full Tape Conversation End Time: 03:14:25

578a.mp3

578b.mp3

NARA Description:

On September 24, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Melvin R. Laird, Brig. Gen. Cunningham C. Bryant, Brig. Gen. Benjamin L. Hunton, Adm. Rear Adm. Samuel Gravely, and White House photographer met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:07 pm to 12:23 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 578-008 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid:

Conversation No. 578-8

Date: September 24, 1971
Time: 12:07 pm - 12:23 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Melvin R. Laird, Brig. General Cunningham C. Bryant, Brig. General
Benjamin L. Hunton, and Rear Admiral Samuel Gravely; the White House
photographer was present at the beginning of this meeting.

     Greetings
          Press photos
                -Arrangements

     Military personnel policies
           -Women
                -Navy
                      -One star ranks
                           -Promotion to Commodore
                           -Ranks
                -Army
                -Air Force
                -Navy
                      -Promotions
                                   42

               NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                           Tape Subject Log
                             (rev. 10/06)
                                                               Conv. No. 578-8 (cont.)


            -Intelligence
            -Medical Corps
            -WAVEs
            -Supply
-Promotion policies
      -Type of individual
      -Jackie Robinson
            -Game against Oregon
            -Type of player
            -Kennie Washington
            -Montreal
            -Brooklyn Dodgers
            -Major League player
                  -Breaking color bar
      -Vida Blue
      -George Preston Marshall
            -West Virginia
            -Jim Brown's efforts against Washington Redskins
      -Comparison between sports and armed forces
      -Laird and Joint Chiefs of Staff [JCS]
-Peace time forces
      -Blacks
            -Ranks
                  -Proportion compared to White
            -Volunteer policies
                  -Promotion potential
            -Enlisted individuals
            -Officer corps
-Promotion policies
      -Reasons
-Future needs
      -Support for military men
            -Promotion opportunities
-Washington, DC National Guard
      -Black officers
            -Population
            -Promotion opportunities
                  -Respect
-President's military aide
      -Lieutenant Colonel Vernon C. Coffey, Jr.
      -Type of job
                                                 43

                             NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                         Tape Subject Log
                                           (rev. 10/06)
                                                                         Conv. No. 578-8 (cont.)


                  -Spirit
            -Racism
                  -US military service
                  -Prejudices
                  -Opportunities
                  -Reverse discrimination
            -Leaders
                  -Opportunities for blacks
            -"Uncle Tom" category
            -All-volunteer force
            -Opportunities
                  -Occupation
                  -Minority groups
                        -US history
                             -New York
                                   -Jews
                                         -Professions
                                                -Teaching
                                                     -Catholics
                                                     -Protestants
                             -Irish-Americans
                                   -Effectiveness in big-city politics
                                         -Opportunities
                                   -Comparison to Protestants
                                   -Political recognition

      Presidential gifts
           -Cuff links
           -Golfers
                 -Golf balls
                 -Golf game
                 -Practice

      Laird and JCS

      Copies of photos

Laird, et al. left at 12:23 am.
                                               44

                           NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                        Tape Subject Log
                                          (rev. 10/06)
                                                                     Conv. No. 578-8 (cont.)