Nixon White House Tapes › Topic
Nixon Tapes on Military Personnel
15 conversations · frequently with Nixon, White House photographer, Bull, Laird
President Nixon met with military aides Commander Craig S. Campbell, Charles R. Larson, and Major General James D. Hughes to facilitate introductions and formal photographs. The discussion centered on Larson’s upcoming military reassignment to a submarine command based in San Diego, which Nixon noted was conveniently located near his San Clemente estate. The brief meeting concluded with the exchange of personal gifts and expressions of mutual appreciation regarding the aides' service.
President Nixon met with Postmaster General Winton Blount and George Shultz to discuss ongoing U.S. Postal Service labor negotiations and the administration's strategic focus on restoring management rights in exchange for wage increases. The participants also explored strategies for hiring retired military personnel to fill high-level postal reorganization roles, leveraging their organizational discipline. Finally, they touched upon the 1972 election landscape, specifically the potential political impact of George Wallace’s candidacy on Nixon’s electoral prospects in the South and among Northern blue-collar voters.
President Nixon and John Ehrlichman met to discuss the administration's aggressive new strategy for addressing drug abuse, including the formation of a centralized office led by Dr. Jerome H. Jaffe and the implementation of mandatory drug testing and rehabilitation for military personnel. They further explored political tactics for the President, debating whether he should adopt a more combative public persona to better challenge opponents and define his presidency. Finally, they touched upon federal personnel management and potential legislative strategies regarding economic issues, such as revenue sharing and public service employment.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and several high-ranking Black military officers to discuss promoting equal opportunity and advancement within the armed forces. The President emphasized that officer promotions should be merit-based rather than tokenistic, citing historical precedents of minority groups finding success in specific professional fields. He encouraged the officers to serve as ambassadors for the military’s All-Volunteer Force, urging them to demonstrate that genuine career advancement for minority personnel is both possible and prioritized.
President Nixon met briefly with an unidentified chief petty officer in the Oval Office. The conversation appears to be administrative or routine in nature, as it concluded in less than four minutes. No substantive policy matters or major decisions were recorded during this exchange.
An unidentified individual initiated a call through the Camp David operator to reach Major Freed at his quarters. The brief exchange served as a logistical request to establish telephone contact with the major. No further substantive policy or administrative details were captured in this recording.
President Nixon contacted the Camp David operator to arrange direct telephone communications with military personnel at the retreat. He specifically requested to be connected with Commander Craig S. Campbell and Lieutenant Colonel William L. Golden, the resident military aide. The conversation served as a brief administrative coordination to facilitate these military briefings.
President Nixon met with Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird and various congressional leaders to discuss the signing of the Uniformed Services Health Provisions Revitalization Act (HR 2) and the promotion of defense-related legislation. The conversation transitioned into campaign strategy for the 1972 election, with Nixon and Laird analyzing the political implications of George McGovern's defense platform and coordinating appearances to target specific demographics in key states like Massachusetts and Wisconsin. Additionally, they praised the public speaking skills of Brigadier General Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr. and discussed administrative efforts to bolster military support through strategic announcements, such as new contracts for the Quincy shipyards.
President Nixon hosted a bipartisan group of Congressional members and Department of Defense officials in the Cabinet Room for the formal signing of HR 10670, a bill establishing a survivor benefit plan for retired military personnel. The discussion emphasized the necessity of providing military families with benefits comparable to those in the Foreign Service and other civilian sectors. The President utilized the event to express his administration's gratitude for Congressional support and to stress the importance of national respect for those serving in an all-volunteer armed force.
President Nixon, Henry Kissinger, and Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson met to coordinate strategies on national defense, force structure, and personnel appointments. The discussion emphasized the necessity of maintaining credible conventional forces, particularly given Soviet naval and military expansion, and identified concerns regarding staff disloyalty and incompetence within the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA). Furthermore, they strategized on legislative maneuvers regarding the Jackson Amendment on Soviet Jewry, aiming to pressure the Soviet Union on exit visas without disrupting broader trade and diplomatic negotiations.
President Nixon hosted a ceremony in the Oval Office to honor General Alexander M. Haig, Jr. with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. The event, attended by Haig’s family and high-ranking administration officials, served as a formal recognition of Haig’s significant contributions to national security and his diplomatic efforts, including his work supporting Henry Kissinger. The gathering concluded with photo opportunities and brief discussions regarding Haig's transition out of his White House role.
Two unidentified individuals met in the Oval Office to discuss operational staffing, logistics, and the movement of personnel within a unit. The participants conferred on the status of absent team members and the necessity of fortifying their current position. The discussion concluded with a directive to relocate a corporal to address these staffing gaps.
An unidentified group, including individuals identified as Lieutenant Hugh and Matthewson, met in the Oval Office for an undocumented purpose. The brief dialogue captures a directive to cease a specific action, though the nature of the task remains obscure. The participants exited the office before the start of the next business day, leaving no further record of their objectives.
President Nixon and Admiral Thomas Moorer discuss the management of a high-profile, emotionally compelling news story involving the return of prisoners of war and the contributions of a specific nurse. Nixon requests that Moorer cooperate with anticipated media inquiries, emphasizing the need to shape a positive narrative regarding these events. The conversation serves as an alert to ensure military personnel are prepared to provide coordinated testimony once the timing is appropriate.
President Nixon met with Roger E. Shields and Gen. Brent G. Scowcroft to review the successful repatriation of American Prisoners of War (POWs) from North Vietnam. The discussion focused on the readjustment and future career integration of these veterans into the military, emphasizing the President's desire to treat them as vital institutional assets rather than mere media figures. Furthermore, Nixon tasked Shields with maintaining a firm commitment to resolving the status of those still Missing in Action (MIA) by continuing research and communicating clearly with their families.