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Conversation 158-051

TapeTape 158StartSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:35 PMEndSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:37 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.)Recording deviceCamp David Study Table
AI Summary

President Nixon consulted with Admiral Thomas H. Moorer to discuss his desire to send a formal message of appreciation to military commanders following recent bombing operations over North Vietnam. Moorer confirmed that North Vietnamese forces were significantly depleted of missiles and supplies, attributing the success of the campaign directly to the President's decisive leadership. Nixon requested that the commendation avoid a tone of triumphalism while emphasizing the professionalism and courage of the Air Force personnel involved.

Vietnam WarOperation Linebacker IIMilitary moraleAir ForceNorth Vietnam
AudioNARA Description

On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer talked on the telephone at Camp David from 12:35 pm to 12:37 pm. The Camp David Study Table taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 158-051 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 158-51

Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 12:35 pm - 12:37 pm
Location: Camp David Study Table

The President talked with Adm. Thomas H. Moorer.

[See Conversation No. 238-13]

       Vietnam War
            -US bombing of North Vietnam
                 -The President’s message to military commanders
                       -The President’s appreciation for courage and sacrifice
                             -Criticism
                 -The President’s letter
                 -Effect on North Vietnamese
                       -Military equipment
                             -Missiles
                                             -64-

                   NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                        (rev. May-08)

                                                           Conversation No. 158-51 (cont’d)

                  -Costs
                  -The President’s message to military commanders
                        -Avoiding “gloating” about victory
                  -North Vietnamese reaction
                        -Significance
                              -Resumption of negotiations
                                    -“Peaceniks” view
                  -The President’s role
                        -Courage
                        -Air Force
                  -Air Force
                        -View of the President
                  -The President’s message to military commanders
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.

Uh, well I just wanted to, uh, to, uh, hand out a message to the, sorry, the commanders, uh, you know, who involved in the operation for the past.
Well, Mr. President, that's all the time we have.
We really appreciated your letter the other day.
And I just think they did a terrific job.
As you know, those people up there are just about out of all kinds of missiles and so on.
And I think they're in real tough shape.
And these boys did a terrific job.
And it really is treating me very much to be thinking about them.
Well, thank you so much, sir.
I really appreciate your advice.
I'll do that right away.
Thank you.
This is, uh, this is for you, uh, for you to know, uh, if you want to give me a meal, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh,
Absolutely, sir.
Mr. President, it's your courage.
I mean, your courage is what made this happen.
Yes, sir.
We have a, you know, a great group of professionals.
Right.
And they certainly listen to a man in my youth.
Okay.
Thank you.
Yes, sir.
I'll send that right away, Mr. Bell.
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