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Conversation 238-013

TapeTape 238StartSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:35 PMEndSaturday, December 30, 1972 at 12:37 PMParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.)Recording deviceCamp David Hard Wire
AI Summary

President Nixon instructed Admiral Thomas H. Moorer to draft a message to military commanders commending the courage and sacrifice of forces involved in the recent bombing operations in Vietnam. Nixon emphasized the necessity of maintaining resolve and morale despite domestic political criticism of the air campaign, asserting that the pressure on the North Vietnamese had been effective. This directive served to ensure that service members understood their efforts were recognized by the administration as a critical factor in achieving peace.

Vietnam WarOperation Linebacker IIMilitary moralePublic relationsBombing operations
AudioNARA Description

On December 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Adm. Thomas H. Moorer met in the Aspen Lodge study at Camp David from 12:35 pm to 12:37 pm. The Camp David Hard Wire taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 238-013 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 238-13

Date: December 30, 1972
Time: 12:35 pm - 12:37 pm
Location: Camp David Hard Wire

The President talked with Adm. Thomas H. Moorer.

[See Conversation No. 158-51]
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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

So Admiral, I just wanted you to send out a message to the various commanders who were involved in these operations in the past 10 days or so.
You could say that we're talking presently.
And all of this appreciation of the nation for their
courage and sacrifice of achieving a just and honorable peace in Vietnam.
I think they should know that it is not going to go unnoticed.
You know, with all these jackasses that have jumped to what we've done now, they see why we did it now.
Great cause.
The most important thing is the message you sent should be one that doesn't look like eroding or anything like that, you know, because we've still got to tell a lot of the good shit to do.
But just to say that you have the president's presence and appreciation of the nation for their sacrifice and their courage in this difficult period.
So he'll
You sent a message out to your name and said you were talking to the president alone.
Do you want me to convey that to him for the new year?
Fine.
Fine.
This, of course, is a, well, we can't say it.
This, as you know, involves this going to be a very significant frank capitulation by the other side.
They would never go back to the table under this circumstance.
We're saying the bombing would never have any effect.
Well, it's had its effect, right?
Well, I'm not flying those damn planes.
I'm not risking anything except a little politics that these guys risk their lives, and I know that.
So, uh, that's what it comes.
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