President Nixon met with entertainer Tony Martin to discuss Martin's continued political support and the national climate surrounding the return of American prisoners of war (POWs). The conversation focused on the need to better honor Vietnam veterans in hospitals, with Martin proposing a "Lest We Forget" entertainment tour to ensure these veterans are not overshadowed by the focus on POWs. Nixon and Martin also exchanged pleasantries regarding personal events, and Martin shared his experiences touring the country and his ongoing loyalty to the President's administration.
On March 8, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon, Tony Martin, and unknown person(s) met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 1:22 pm and 1:33 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 872-013 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 872-13
Date: March 8, 1973
Time: Unknown between 1:22 pm and 1:33 pm
Location: Oval Office
The President met with Tony Martin. The White House photographer was present at the
beginning of the meeting.
Greetings
-Al Hart [?]
Photograph session
Martin's wife's birthday
-Cyd Charisse
-Hannah Milhous Nixon’s birthday
Martin's help
-President's gratitude
President’s event
-Martin’s invitation
-Regrets
-Australia
-Cuff links
Washington, DC
-Blue Room
-Visitors
-Entertainment
-Embassies
George Murphy
-Meeting with Martin
-George H
-21-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-2010)
Conversation No. 872-13 (cont’d)
-Ash Wednesday
-Support from President, Ronald W. Reagan
-Election loss
Martin’s patriotism
-Support for President
-Loyalty to Republicans
-Prisoners of war [POWs]
-Flag
-Bronze star
-Sense of pride in country
-Meeting with Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope
POWs
-Return
-Press coverage [?]
-Attitude of POWs
-Hollywood show
-Charleston Heston
-Veterans in hospitals
-Age
Vietnam Veterans
-Support for Veterans
-Compared to POWs
-Veterans Hospitals
-Entertainment
-Remembrance
Martin's meeting with President
President's schedule
-California
-Meeting with Nguyen Van Thieu
-Party for John Ford
-California
-Medal of Freedom
-President's telephone call
-POWs
-22-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-2010)
Conversation No. 872-13 (cont’d)
-Ford's response
-Amnesty
Martin
-Tour
-Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago
-Health
-Exercise
-Eating habits
Charisse's birthday
An unknown person entered at an unknown time after 1:22 pm.
Gifts
-Ashtray
-Presidential seal
Capitol tour
-Mark O. Hatfield
-Oregon
-Senate
-Supreme Court
White House tour
-Blue Room
-Photograph of Martin
-Thomas Jefferson Memorial
-President’s chair
-Run for President
Gifts
-Ashtray
-Cuff links
President's accomplishments
Visit to White House
-Martin’s singing, Charisse's dancing
-23-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
Tape Subject Log
(rev. May-2010)
Conversation No. 872-13 (cont’d)
Martin and an unknown person left at 1:33 pm.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.