Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 855 › Conversation 855-013

Nixon & Bull on Prisoners of War and White House Logistics

Wednesday, February 14, 1973 · 11:53 AM–11:56 AM ET · Oval Office · 3 min

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Bull, Stephen B.Conversation855-013 on Tape 855StartWednesday, February 14, 1973 at 11:53 AMEndWednesday, February 14, 1973 at 11:56 AMRecording deviceOval OfficeSourceNixon Library record for 855-013 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met to finalize logistical arrangements regarding the recognition of returning prisoners of war (POWs). The discussion focused on coordinating the delivery of commemorative cards and corsages, involving a San Diego florist with personal connections to the White House staff. Additionally, they briefly reviewed the President’s upcoming schedule, including meetings with General Andrew J. Goodpaster and Elliot Richardson.

Audio

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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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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I will not be the teacher I never realized in my life.

Thank you.

The most fortunate thing is the executive vice president of the company is a former Secret Service agent who knows Rex Skelton.

Well, it doesn't matter.

He's the vice president.

And he's all excited about this.

He thinks it's the most wonderful idea.

And he delivered this personally to this woman.

Oh, he's the florist in San Diego?

Uh, yeah.

Yes, sir.

I guess that is it.

San Diego.

Yeah, San Diego.

And it's winning out in San Diego.

They're very excited about it.

Well, it's been very wonderful to see it.

All right, so would you like to see me today or tomorrow?

You've seen your needs since day three, right?

So tomorrow, I don't know why you're... Well, it's just so that we can get a picture and so forth.

I think tomorrow is going to be the best time.

I'll come in on Thursday.

All right, fine.

Did you get a call since you came in today?

We don't have it here.

NARA Description

On February 14, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:53 am to 11:56 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 855-013 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 855-13

Date: February 14, 1973
Time: 11:53 am - 11:56 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Stephen B. Bull.

       President's schedule
              -Recording session

       Recognition of prisoners of war [POWs]
             -Cards
                     -Number
                     -Example
             -Corsages
                     -Hawaii
             -Executive vice president of company
                                                -32-

                    NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

                                                                Conversation No. 855-13 (cont’d)

                         -Rex Scouten
                         -Previous work with President as Vice President
                         -Enthusiasm for an idea
                         -San Diego florist

       [Pause]

       President’s schedule
              -Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster
                      -Meeting with President
                             -Elliot L. Richardson
                                     -Photographs
              -James C. Counts

Bull left at 11:56 am.

Also recorded on February 14, 1973

855-012 11:16 AM · 35 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft, Richard M. Helms, Ronald L. Ziegler, and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House from 11:16 am to 11:52 am.
855-014 11:56 AM · 30 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 11:56 am and 12:06 pm.
855-015 12:19 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:19 pm and 12:23 pm.
855-016 12:19 PM · 56 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Stephen B. Bull met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:19 pm and 12:23 pm.
855-017 12:19 PM · 17 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 12:19 pm and 12:23 pm.
855-018 12:23 PM · 11 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Edward L. Morgan, Stephen B. Bull, John D. Ehrlichman, James Clawson, Mrs. James Clawson, Courtney J. Clawson, Jason B. Clawson, Brooke A. Clawson, Katherine R. Evans, Constance R. Evans, Elizabeth G. Evans, John F. Evans, III, Henry C. Cashen, II, Stuart C. White, and Mrs. Stuart C. White met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:23 pm to 12:34 pm.
855-019 12:35 PM · 1 min — President Richard M. Nixon, Stephen B. Bull, and Thomas Hart met in the Oval Office of the White House from 12:35 pm to 12:36 pm.
043-075 12:36 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 12:36 pm.

All 58 conversations from February 14, 1973 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 855-013, February 14, 1973. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/855-013 (accessed October 1, 2026).