Conversation: 578-008
Prev: 578-007 Next: 578-009Start Date: Friday, September 24, 1971 4:07 PM
End Date: Friday, September 24, 1971 4:23 PM
Participants:
Nixon, Richard M. (President); Laird, Melvin R.; Bryant, Cunningham C. (Brig. Gen.); Hunton, Benjamin L. (Brig.); Gravely, Samuel (Rear Adm.); White House photographerRecording Device: Oval Office
Full Tape Conversation Start Time: 02:57:40
Full Tape Conversation End Time: 03:14:25
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.)