Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 508 › Conversation 508-009
Nixon alone in the Oval Office on Letters of recommendation
Wednesday, June 2, 1971 · 8:55 AM–9:20 AM ET · Oval Office · 1 min
AI Summary
President Nixon discusses a personnel matter regarding a formal letter of recommendation for an individual, identified as 'Mel.' He expresses high praise for the individual's performance over the previous two and a half years and explicitly requests a positive addition to their official employment record. The discussion reflects the President's personal interest in ensuring this associate receives formal recognition and long-term professional credit.
- Personnel management
- Letters of recommendation
- Performance reviews
- Staff recognition
- Executive administration
Audio
NARA Description
On June 2, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 508-009 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 508-009
Date: June 2, 1971
Time: Unknown between 8:55 am and 9:20 am
Location: Oval Office
The President dictated a note to Melvin R. Laird
Attachment to formal letter
-Commendation for unknown person
The President dictated a letter to Laird
US military
-Ceremonial duties
-President’s view
[This conversation continues as Conversation No. 508-11]
Transcript (AI-generated)
This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.
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Also recorded on June 2, 1971
- 508-001 8:55 AM · 34 sec — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-002 8:55 AM · 47 sec — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-003 8:55 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-004 8:55 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-005 8:55 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-006 8:55 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-007 8:55 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
- 508-008 8:55 AM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 8:55 am and 9:20 am.
Related conversations
- Nixon & Ford on Watergate scandal and Conflict of interest June 5, 1973 · 3 min
- Nixon, Elam & Parker on Government service and Staff recognition February 19, 1971 · 4 min
- Nixon, Korologos & Friedersdorf on Senate legislative strategy May 6, 1971 · 2 min
- Nixon, Robb & Huntsman on White House photography and staff recognition May 14, 1971 · 2 min
- Nixon phone call with Rogers on David Packard and Presidential appointments May 1, 1973 · 2 min
- Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on Camp David and Governance June 6, 1972 · 14 min
Cite this conversation
Conversation 508-009, June 2, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives (NAID 417177643). Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/508-009 (accessed November 11, 2026).