Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 742 › Conversation 742-015

Nixon, Westmoreland & Deusen on Distinguished Service Medal

Monday, June 26, 1972 · 12:18 PM–12:31 PM ET · Oval Office

President Nixon hosted General William C. Westmoreland, his family, and various military officials in the Oval Office to formally recognize the General’s service. The primary purpose of the meeting was the presentation of the Distinguished Service Medal to Westmoreland. Nixon expressed his appreciation for the General's contributions before the group concluded the visit with a tour of the White House.

  • William C. Westmoreland
  • Distinguished Service Medal
  • White House honors
  • Military decorations
  • Oval Office visit

Audio for this conversation has not been released by the National Archives.

No transcript is available because the audio has not been released.

On June 26, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, Gen. William Westmoreland, James R. Westmoreland, Margaret C. Westmoreland, Edwin R. van Deusen, Robert F. Froehlke, Lt. Col. James Shufelt, Gen. Bruce Palmer, [David] Kenneth Rush, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Joseph Felter met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:18 pm to 12:31 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 742-015 of the White House Tapes.

Conversation No. 742-15

Date: June 26, 1972
Time: 12:18 - 12:31 pm
Location: Oval Office

Stephen B. Bull met with Gen. William C. Westmoreland, Mrs. William C. Westmoreland,
James R. Westmoreland, Margaret C. Westmoreland, Edwin R. Van Deusen, Robert F. Froehlke,
Lt. Col. James Shufelt, Gen. Bruce Palmer, [David] Kenneth Rush, H.R. (“Bob”) Haldeman, Lt.
Col. J. Felter, and members of the press.

      [General conversation]

The President entered at an unknown time after 12:18 pm.

      Citation of Distinguished Service Medal for Westmoreland

      The President's appreciation

      Presentation of gifts by the President

      Tour of the White House

Westmoreland, et al., left at 12:31 pm.
  • 742-012 11:31 AM — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at 11:31 am.
  • 742-013 11:31 AM — President Richard M. Nixon, Peter M. Flanigan, Stephen B. Bull, White House operator, Henry A. Kissinger, George P. Shultz, and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:31 am to 12:08 pm.
  • 026-008 11:45 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon and George P. Shultz talked on the telephone from 11:45 am to 11:47 am.
  • 026-009 11:47 AM · 5 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 11:47 am and 2:23 pm.
  • 742-014 12:08 PM — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:08 pm to 12:18 pm.
  • 742-016 12:31 PM — President Richard M. Nixon and H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 3:03 pm.
  • 742-019 12:31 PM — United States Secret Service agents met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:31 pm and 3:03 pm.
  • 343-037 12:35 PM · 44 min — President Richard M. Nixon, H. R. ("Bob") Haldeman, and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 12:35 pm to 1:25 pm.

Conversation 742-015, June 26, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/742-015 (accessed September 30, 2026).