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Conversation 635-012

TapeTape 635StartFriday, December 10, 1971 at 12:03 PMEndFriday, December 10, 1971 at 12:15 PMTape start time03:10:37Tape end time03:23:51ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Bull, Stephen B.;  Chafee, John H.;  Moorer, Thomas H. (Adm.);  Zumwalt, Elmo R., Jr. (Adm.);  Ryan, John D. (Gen.);  Westmoreland, William (Gen.);  Chapman, Leonard F. (Gen.);  Chapman, Leonard F. (Mrs.);  Crutcher, R. D.;  Dailey, Joseph (SGM);  Warner, John W.;  Fields, Lewis J. (Lt. Gen.);  Fields, Lewis J. (Mrs.);  Davis, Raymond G. (Gen.);  Davis, Raymond G. (Mrs.);  Van Ryzin, William J. (Gen.);  Chaisson, John (Gen.);  Chaisson, John (Mrs.);  Terry, Debbie;  Schultz, Richard;  Thomas, Gerald (Col.);  Wages, C. J.;  Felter, Joseph;  Weigh, William (GySgt.);  Shultz, George P.;  Coffey, Vernon C., Jr.;  Hughes, James D. ("Don")Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon hosted a ceremony in the Oval Office to honor General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr., upon the conclusion of his tenure as Commandant of the Marine Corps. The President formally presented General Chapman with the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his leadership during the Vietnam War and his service on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The meeting included remarks from both the President and the General reflecting on the dedication of Marine Corps personnel, the importance of military families, and Chapman's 36-year career.

Leonard F. Chapman Jr.Marine CorpsDistinguished Service MedalVietnam WarMilitary AwardsOval Office ceremony
AudioNARA Description

On December 10, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, John H. Chafee, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., Gen. John D. Ryan, Gen. William Westmoreland, Gen. Leonard F. Chapman, Mrs. Leonard F. Chapman, R. D. Crutcher, SGM Joseph Dailey, John W. Warner, Lt. Gen. Lewis J. Fields, Mrs. Lewis J. Fields, Gen. Raymond G. Davis, Mrs. Raymond G. Davis, Gen. William J. VanRyzin, Gen. John Chaisson, Mrs. John Chaisson, Debbie Terry, Richard Schultz, Col. Gerald Thomas, C. J. Wages, Joseph Felter, GySgt. William Weigh, George P. Shultz, Vernon C. Coffey, Jr., and James D. ("Don") Hughes met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:03 pm to 12:15 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 635-012 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 635-12

Date: December 10, 1971
Time: 12:03 pm - 12:15 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull, John H. Chafee, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Adm. Elmo
R. Zumwalt, Gen. John D. Ryan, Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Gen. and Mrs. Leonard F.
Chapman, Jr., Mrs, R.D. Crutcher, Captain J.H. Blichfeldt, SGM Joseph Dailey, John W.
Warner, Lt. Gen. and Mrs. Lewis J. Fields, Gen. and Mrs. Raymond G. Davis, Lt. Gen. William
J. Van Ryzin, Lt. Gen. and Mrs. John Chaisson, Col. and Mrs. David Twomey, Col. Richard
Schulz, Col. Gerald Thomas, Com. C.J. Wages, Major Joseph Felter, GySgt. William Weigh,
George P. Shultz, Lt. Col. Vernon C. Coffey, and Brig. Gen. James D. Hughes; the White House
photographer and members of the press were present at the beginning of the meeting.

     Instructions

Bull left at an unknown time before 12:14 pm.

     [General conversation]

     Introductions

     [Photograph session]

     Award presentation
         -Distinguished Service Medal
               -Gen. Leonard F. Chapman, Jr.
                     -Reminiscences from the President
                     -Marine Corps career
                     -Mrs. Chapman
                     -Sons
                          -Vietnam
         -Citation
         -Chapman's remarks
               -Sgt. Maj. Dailey
               -Families

     [General conversation]

The President talked with Stephen B. Bull between 12:14 pm and 12:15 pm.
                                                32

                            NIXON PRESIDENTIAL MATERIALS STAFF

                                         Tape Subject Log
                                           (rev. 10/06)
                                                                        Conv. No. 635-12 (cont.)



[Conversation No. 635-12A]

[See Conversation No. 16-78]

[End of telephone conversation]

Bull and Alexander P. Butterfield entered and Chafee, et al. left at 12:15 pm.

     The President’s schedule
          -Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr.

Bull and Butterfield left at 12:15 pm.
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.

If you would all come this way.
If you would all come this way.
We're going to have to do this road.
Two roads.
Right here?
Right here.
Right here.
Right here.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Oh, my God, thank you.
Thank you, gentlemen.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, as you know, we are all gathered here today for a ceremony which has occurred before as far as we've been attracted.
because it marks the 24 years of how this whole thing started out before.
And, well, it's very hard to realize that it took him his life, 36 years, on such occasions, that it's best for us, as I stated, to speak for the record.
And as I stated, he read it on secondary, but I would simply like to say that at the time that I had known him,
to the military officer by his very great ability as an advocate of the Marine Corps and of the uniform that he proudly wears, which he has been splendid in across this country, by the affectionate respect that men of the Marine Corps have for him, and certainly as he pleads his condemnation, he has nothing but a record of pride to look back upon.
I'd also like to say that a Marine wife has to be outstanding, and this is Shep.
And I'd also like to add that
The crew, in a sense, I understand that they discovered me.
As a matter of fact, they decided to take a commission to let me come to the Marine Corps 36 years ago.
as a matter of choice, not because he didn't like the Army, but because he didn't like the Marine Corps.
But in any event, he carried that division on.
And two of his sons became Marines.
Both of them served with this nation in Vietnam.
So we honor today the Marine Corps, we honor its content, and we honor our splendid Marines of battle.
Thank you for your participation.
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Medal, Gold Star, and Louvre of Goods Award to General Leonard S. Chapman II of the United States Marine Corps for services set forth in the following citation.
For a exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States and a duty of great responsibility as prominent of the Marine Corps from February 1969 through December 1971,
A splendid leader with enduring values and great patriotism, General Chapman, during four years as his commandant, led the Marine Corps through the height of the Vietnam conflict in the process of attaining peacetime posture.
With keen foresight and conviction, General Chapman forged the renewed core of the renewed core, emphasizing readiness, quality, and professionalism.
As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Chapman, through his statesmanship and superb understanding of the factors which influence the formulation of national policy, contributed substantially to the development of important policies during a period of vital and unusual significance to the United States.
His wise advice, exceptional judgment, and clarity of vision have been acknowledged in the highest councils of our government.
By his dedicated and distinguished service during more than 36 years of devoted duty, General Chapman has contributed greatly to the success of the United States and friendly forces engaged in the protection of citizens of three nations, thereby upholding and contributing to the highest positions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
Signed, Richard Jackson.
Thank you very much.
Well, Mr. President, first I'd like to say that I greatly appreciate the honor that you've done.
I apologize.
I heard the citation read about these last four years.
And I can't help but remark that some of the days have been very long, but the years have gone by pretty fast.
And looking back on them, the things that stand out are very much as one.
Clearly, it is the performance
The dedication and loyalty of some 450,000 Marines who fought in Vietnam and were represented here today by Sergeant Major Daly, Sergeant Major in the Marine Corps, and these other general officers, and Mattie Hoffman, all of them, Captain Bill Beckwell, all of them in that third Vietnam.
Another thing that stands out is the loyalty and performance of the soldiers and sailors and the Coast Guard, who are represented here today by the Chief of Air Service.
All of these together constitute some millions of tremendous young Americans with great loyalty, dedication, and belief in our country who serve loyally and bravely and as a common man so forth.
And one, as you know, Mr. President, I think our country is going to hear a lot from you.
Thank you.
And then finally, it stands out as the wives and mothers and families of Murray and other service members.
The fellow who is here today is represented by him.
He's been the First Lady of the Corps for almost four years now, and like so many other Supreme Wives and wives of other service members and mothers, he's been emerged as loyal and brave and dedicated and proud.
So it's been a challenging, demanding, difficult four years, but it's one that I can look back on with pride, and particularly so in that you've taken your time as the President today.
I'm sure you would all like to come over here.
Congratulations, General.
Thank you.
Thank you.
This is Power Grid.
I'll see you in a minute.
Well, thank you.
I want you to enjoy yourselves.
President Rees.
All right.
All right.
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