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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-HAB-02
Brown discusses his job description; the factors that went into his, Robert S. McNamara’s, and John F. Kennedy’s decision making about whether or not a particular weapons system should be developed, and the Nike Zeus and Nike X missile systems, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PBF-02
Fay discusses Jacqueline Kennedy’s relationship with Ethel Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s personal friends, Lafayette Square, balance of payments, his relationship and opinions of Robert S. McNamara, and cost effectiveness and systems analysis in the Department of Defense, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-ACE-01
Enthoven discusses his impressions of Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and his work applying systems analysis to Defense Department problems, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PHN-03
This interview focuses on the Defense Department examining strategies for nuclear engagement and the United States negotiating with France about their nuclear program, among other topics.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PHN-02
This interview focuses on a report Nitze wrote on nuclear weaponry and the Kennedy administration’s change in policy concerning nuclear weapons and defense strategies, among other topics.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PHN-01
This interview focuses on Nitze’s time on the National Security Policy Committee, the workings of the Department of Defense, and the Kennedy administration’s approach to nuclear weapons, among other topics.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RSM-01
McNamara discusses the defense budget and military strategy during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations, the recruitment of Defense Department staff, his appointment as Secretary of Defense, the Bay of Pigs, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-CPR-01
This interview focuses on the 1960 Democratic primary in Wisconsin, the internal operations of the Defense Department under Robert S. McNamara, and the relations between the military and the Defense Department, among other topics.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JKR-01
In this interview Ruina discusses the Nike-Zeus antiballistic-missile-missiles; briefing President John F. Kennedy [JFK] on the Nike-Zeus missiles; JFK’s comprehension of the briefing material and the type of questions he asked; Project Defender; the background and organization of the Advanced Research Projects Agency; the leadership and organization of the Department of Defense; interactions with Robert S. McNamara; competition between the military and the Defense Department on research and development and for resources and congressional funds; the period of new, advanced—but not always useful—technology; and Project AGILE and counterinsurgency efforts in Vietnam, among other issues.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Harris Wofford
JFKWHSFHW-002-029
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-295-012
This folder contains memoranda and correspondence concerning civil defense and a pamphlet prepared by the Atomic Energy Commission for the Department of Defense entitled, “Fallout Protection – What to Know About Nuclear Attack – What to Do About It.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-295-007
This folder contains memoranda concerning civil defense, a fallout shelter program, and a pamphlet prepared by the Atomic Energy Commission for the Department of Defense entitled, “Fallout Protection – What to Know About Nuclear Attack – What to Do About It.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Walter W. Heller
JFKWHSFWWH-MF22-008
This folder contains Walter W. Heller's correspondence with the Department of Defense. Types of material include letters, memoranda, directives, press releases, and reports. Correspondents include Roswell L. Gilpatric (Deputy Secretary of Defense) and Elvis J. Stahr, Jr. (Secretary of the Army). The file also contains a Congressional report on providing for fallout protection in federal structures and nonprofit institutions; an excerpt from the Federal Civil Defense Guide; and information on the National Fallout Shelter Survey Marking and Stocking Program.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-077-009
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Department of Defense. Topics include troop withdrawals from Europe, the status of the civil defense program, Burns Waterway Harbor, and the defense of the Offshore Islands in Asia. Of note is a National Intelligence estimate titled, "Consequences of Certain U.S. Courses in Laos." Also included in this folder is a copy of a commencement speech by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara for the University of Michigan.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-077-007
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the Department of Defense. Topics include civil defense, the establishment of Logistics Management Institute to improve the procurement of defense supplies, and the reorganization of Army National Guard and Reserves. Of note is a memorandum to the President from Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara regarding the Department of Defense FY 1963 budget and the 1963-1967 defense program. Also included in this folder is a memorandum to the President from McNamara regarding a military build-up and possible action in Europe.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-339-010
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 200 (NSAM 200) titled, “Acceleration of Civil Defense Activities,” to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, and Director of the Office of Emergency Planning (OEP) Edward McDermott from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Also included are memoranda regarding civil defense preparedness and the crisis in Cuba (later known as the Cuban Missile Crisis).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-331-002
This folder contains a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 72 (NSAM 72) titled, “Civil Defense Progress,” to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara from President John F. Kennedy.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-329-023
This folder contains a copy of National Security Action Memoranda number 48 (NSAM 48) titled, “Level of U.S. Efforts – Military, Foreign Policy, Civil Defense, Para-military,” to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and Director of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization (OCDM) Frank B. Ellis from McGeorge Bundy, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-275-004
This folder contains memoranda regarding the Department of Defense budget for FY 1964 and principal issues, including civil defense incentives and strategic retaliatory forces ballistic missile defense programs.