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Conversation 022-071

TapeTape 22StartMonday, April 3, 1972 at 7:24 PMEndMonday, April 3, 1972 at 7:26 PMTape start time02:59:08Tape end time03:01:22ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Kissinger, Henry A.Recording deviceWhite House Telephone
AI Summary

President Nixon and Henry Kissinger discuss intensifying U.S. naval involvement in the Vietnam War to counter North Vietnamese military advances. Nixon authorizes an immediate increase in naval bombardment, ordering Kissinger to coordinate with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer to deploy all available cruisers, destroyers, and additional aircraft carriers to the region. The primary objective is to maximize firepower, including the precise shelling of coastal areas, to effectively disrupt enemy operations and signal American resolve.

Vietnam WarNaval bombardmentMilitary strategyThomas H. MoorerMilitary logistics
AudioNARA Description

On April 3, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger talked on the telephone from 7:24 pm to 7:26 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 022-071 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 22-71

Date: April 3, 1972
Time: 7:24 pm - 7:26 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Henry A. Kissinger.

     Vietnam
          -Naval bombardment
               -Range to shore
               -Merit
               -Adm. Thomas H. Moorer’s response
                    -Instructions
                           -Indian Ocean
               -Aircraft carrier
                    -Bombing compared to shelling
               -Cruisers and destroyers
                    -Quang Tri
                           -Range
                                 -Cruisers
                    -Da Nang
               -Impact
               -Authorization
                    -Kissinger’s call to Moorer
                    -Message to Melvin R. Laird
                    -Commander-in-Chief, Pacific [CINCPAC]
                           -Bombardment
                    -Carriers
                           -Hawaii
                    -Cruisers and destroyers
                           -Sea of Japan
                    -Impact
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Hello.
Henry, I wanted to be sure that...
I think the idea of the Navy taking... Now, that means going in 40 miles, doesn't it?
About 35.
35 miles, fine.
I think that is a very good idea.
First of all, the Navy does know how to do some things.
Second, Moore will love the idea.
He is a naval commander.
And you just tell him to get every damn ship
out there, you know, bring that thing from the Indian Ocean if it's still there, whatever we've got, and just tell them to knock the hell out of that stuff.
Also, they can send their carrier aircraft in there and bomb that road, can't they?
Oh, yes.
Now, that's being done anyway.
But anyway, but I think shelling it, of course, is much more precise.
That's right.
You can get more cruisers and destroyers there.
They can help in the battle for Kwan-Tree because their range goes beyond Kwan-Tree.
Does it really?
Yeah.
Especially the cruisers.
Well, it certainly goes to the Da Nang area, too.
The Da Nang's on the sea.
Also, a huge naval movement would be well noticed.
I wish you would call Moyer right now and tell him it's authorized.
You don't have to send that through Laird now, do you?
Well, we ought to let Laird know, but he won't stop us.
Well, let him know, but just tell Moyer to get a hold of the little admiral out there at Sinkback and get every damn naval ship that can fire guns in that range and get him in there.
and bombard the hell out of that place.
We ought to get another carrier out there, too.
Well, have we got any more?
We've got one more.
Where is it?
Order it out there, right away.
I think at this point...
Put in every...
But I think your idea, though, the carrier is fine.
We've got four.
Order the other carrier.
But order some cruisers and destroyers.
Those guys love to have something to shoot at.
Would you order them down from the Sea of Japan?
Everything.
Tell them that this is it.
This is the time to pour it in.
And also that message will get to the enemy.
I think we can break their back.
Really pour it in.
Okay, pour it in.
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