NOTES OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP - 1968/01/30

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00339630
• Document Creation Date: July 27, 2018

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NOTES OF THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING
WITH THE
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP
January 30, 1968
In the Mansion
8:30 a.m.
10:06 a.m.
10?
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Senator Byrd: Thank you very much for the briefing. I think the
actions which have been taken are prudent and wise. On another matter,
I am very concerned about the build up at Khesanh. I have been told
that we have 5,000 troops there compared with 40,000 enemy troops.
Are we prepared for this attack?
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The President: This has been a matter of great concern to me.
I met with the Joint Chiefs yesterday. I went around the table
and got their answers to these questicns. In addition, I have it
in writing that they are prepared.
I asked, "Have we done all we should do?" They said yes. I asked,
"Are we convinced our forces are adequate?" They said yes.
I asked should we withdraw from Korea. They said no, that Khesanh
is important to us militarily and psychologically.
Senator Sparkman: I appreciate this briefing. I must interrupt to
say that I must leave because of the hearing on the gold cover.
Senator Long: The American people are concerned about the damage
to their national honor. I think we should take more firm military
action.
The President: Russell, if you will just listen a minute you will
see that we are taking the action we believe to be right. There are
700 enemy dead now as a result of our actions in Vietnam. That is
not soft.
Walt Rostow: During the first day of TET the enemy attacked in 10
places in Vietnam. Six were substantial attacks.
At 6:00 a. m. today General Westmoreland said the enemy suffered
the highest killed in one day of the war. They counted 700 enemy
dead. The ratio of enemy killed to U.S. killed runs about 5 to 1.
The enemy is trying to terrorize the people. Reports said the ARVN
performed very well. Khesanh's air field is open.
General Wheeler: On the matter of your question, Senator Byrd,
about 5,000 U. S. troops versus 40, 000 enemy troops. Khesanh
is in very rugged areas. There are 5, 900 U.S. troops in the Khesanh
Garrison. These are support troops including 26th Marines and a
battalion of the ARVN. In support of this there are 105 millimeter,
155 millimeter and 8 inch guns.
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There are 175 millimeter guns operating from the nearby
"rockpile." There are 14 more 175 millimeter guns 14
miles east.
Off the coast, there is a force of cruisers and destroyers which
can target on the enemy.
There are 4 North Vietnam divisions at Khesanh. We have
available the 1st U.S. Infantry Division. We have one additional
ARVN Division available with units which can be dispatched
quickly. There are 39,968 friendly forces versus 38, 590 enemy
forces. Roughly, there are 40, 000 allied troops to match the
40, 000 enemy. We think we are ready to take on any contingency.
In addition, there are 40 B-52 sorties and 500 tactical air sorties
in the area Niagara each day hitting the enemy.
I talked with General Westmoreland yesterday. He had been in the
area and conferred with senior field commanders. He placed the
entire field operation under his deputy General Abrams. He has
as his air deputy General Momyer.
General Westmoreland is confident he can hold the position. To
abandon it would be to step backward. The Joint Chiefs agree with
General Westmoreland. The Joint Chiefs believe that he can hold
and that he should hold.
General Westmoreland considers it an opportunity to inflict heavy
casualties on North Vietnam. We have 6, 000 men there, and 34, 000
available. It is 40,000 versus 40,000.
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