Date: March 12, 1973

Time: 3:08 pm – 4:34 pm

Location: Oval Office

The President met with Col. Robinson Risner. Stephen B. Bull and the White House

photographer were present at the beginning of the meeting.

Introduction

Photographs

-Arrangements

Manolo Sanchez entered at an unknown time after 3:08 pm.

Refreshments

Sanchez

-Introduction to Risner

Sanchez left at an unknown time before 4:34 pm.

Sanchez’s background

-Refugee

-43-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Cuba

-Spain

Prisoners of war [POWs]

-President’s appreciation

-Character

-Leadership

-Risner

-Length of captivity

-Missions

-Number

-Than Hoa

-Ham Rong bridge

-Encounter with MiG aircraft

-Downing of airplane

-Type of weapon

-Missile site

-Ground defense

-Ejection from plane

-Parachute

-Escape from plane

-Wingman

-Escape

Risner’s captivity

-Imprisonment

-Isolation

-Impact

-Roommates

-Isolation

-Length

-Contact

-Exercise

-Bathing

-Food

-Cell

-Windows

-Beds

-Ceiling

-44-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Brainwashing

-Communism

-Capitalism

-Contradictions

-Methods

-Writings

-Camp radio

-Speakers

-Tape recorders

-Programs

-Length

-Volume

-American music

-Ills of American society

-Studies of North, South Vietnam

-“Voice of Vietnam”

-Contacts with other POWs

-Communications

-Knowledge of other prisoners

-Whistles

-Morse code

-Tapping on walls

-Codes

-Capt. Carlyle (“Smitty”) Harris

-Tap code

-Sweeping

-Laundry

-Exercise

-Body signs

-Mute code

-Semafor

POWs

-South Vietnamese prisoners

******************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

[National Security]

-45-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

[Duration: 1m 26s]

FOREIGN RELATIONS

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 1

******************************************************************************

-Communication

-Walls

-Cups

-Morale

-Reassignment

-Risner

-Son Tay prison

-Col. [First name unknown] Huber [?]

-Approval of rescue

-Joint Chiefs of Staff [JCS]

-National Security Council [NSC]

-Melvin R. Laird

-President’s decision

-Henry A. Kissinger [?]

*****************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 7

[National Security]

[Duration: 5s]

INTELLIGENCE

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 7

*****************************************************************************

-Hanoi Hilton [Wah Lo?]

-Consolidation of prisoners

Risner’s captivity

-46-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Isolation

-Length

-Roommate

-Publicity for North Vietnam

-Meetings with visitors

-Refusal

-Personal photographs from Risner’s wife

-Letters received

-Publicity for North Vietnam

-Risner’s cooperation

-Meeting with East German film crew

-Dissatisfaction with Risner

-Punishment

-Interrogation room

-Major [first name unknown] Bai

-Loss of face

-Destruction of personal photographs

-Physical abuse

-Anger

-Destruction of personal photographs

-Repetition

-Injuries

-Destruction of letters, personal photographs

-Latrine

-Physical abuse

-Memory failure [?]

-Capitulation

-Apology, newspaper writing, tapes

-Period of isolation

-Contacts

-Reading

-Writing

-Denial

-Reading materials

-Propaganda

-Atrocity stories

-Recitation

-Brainwashing

-Realization of failure

-47-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-North Vietnamese expectations

-Consolidation of prisoners

-Roommate

-Risner’s isolation

-Time magazine photograph

-Notoriety compared to Lyndon B. Johnson, Dean Rusk

-Use of Risner

-Delegations

-Statements

-Propaganda

-Fellow POWs

-Torture

-Period of isolation

-Morale

-Religious faith

-Hope in government

-American people

-Family

-Mental, physical health

-Kidney stones

-East German film crew

-Medical care

-Windowless room

-Vents

-Effect on vision

-Consolidation of prisoners

-December 26, 1969

-1969 election

-Number of prisoners

-Beds

-Matting

-Clothes

-Washing

-Shaving

-Frequency

-Razor blades

-Cold water

-Soap

-Toilet papers, toothpaste, toothbrush

-48-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Dispossession

-Punishment

-Meals

-Timing

-Soup

-Contents

-Bread

-Variety

-Vegetables

-Meat

-Pork fat

-Fish

-Lean quality

-Fish meal

-Alcoholic beverages

-Holidays

-Tet, independence day, Christmas

-Beer, liquor

-Risner’s home in Oklahoma

-Mental activities

-Math problems

-Physical exercise

-Frequency

-Kinds

****************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8

[Privacy]

[Duration: 2m 15s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 8

****************************************************************************

Personal plans

-Age

-Experience compared to President

-49-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Fitness

Risner’s captivity

******************************************************************************

[Begin segment reviewed under deed of gift]

——————————————————————————————————————–

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9

[Personal returnable]

[Duration 7s]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 9

——————————————————————————————————————–

[End segment reviewed under deed of gift]

******************************************************************************

-Teeth

-Condition

-Compared to Holocaust survivors

-Dr. William O. Chase

******************************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10

[Privacy]

[Duration: 13s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 10

******************************************************************************

-50-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Diet

-Rice compared to bread

-Effect on teeth

-Watch

-Passage of time

-Gongs

-Bells of Hanoi

Personal plans

-Military service

-Fighter pilot

-Compared to Maj. Gen. James D. (“Don”) Hughes

*****************************************************************

BEGIN WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

[Privacy]

[Duration: 23s ]

END WITHDRAWN ITEM NO. 2

*****************************************************************

-Corrective eyewear

-Flying

Oval Office

-Risner’s first visit

-Theodore Roosevelt

-Seal

-Flags

-President’s possession

-Library

Risner’s family

-Wife

-Preparation for homecoming

-51-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Detail

-Pride

-Help

Risner’s captivity

-Women

-Kitchen help

-Medical care

-Doctors

-Competence

-Medics

-Quality

Risner’s family

-Wife

-Faith

-Children

-Boys

-Number

-Ages

US culture

-Gratitude for POWs’ contributions

-Changes in nation

-1960s

-Revolutionary decade

-Decline of patriotism

-1968 election

-Eugene J. McCarthy candidacy

-Radicals

-Mainstream viewpoint

-Campuses

-Media

-Television [TV], radio, newspapers

-Splits in religious groups

-President’s, Risner’s religious affiliation

-Catholics

-Anti-Communist

-Protestants

-52-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-William F. (“Billy”) Graham

-Fundamentalist

-Demographics

-Support for war [?]

-Quakers

-Pacifism

-Conscientious objectors [?]

-Presbyterian

-Loss of faith in nation

-University teachers, students

-Elite

-Business leaders [?]

-Vietnam

-Isolationism

-Federal budget

-Ghettos

-Armed forces

-Prevalence

-Impact on POWs

-Loss of values

-General public’s view

-End of Vietnam War

-Duration

-Reasons

-South Vietnam’s integrity

-Credibility of US

-Domestic impact

-Method

-Nuclear option

-Sense of national spirit

-Impact of returning POWs

-Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.

-Public statement

-Press manipulation

-Brainwashing comment

-Asset to nation

-Exploitation of POW’s

-Criticism by press

-New role on return

-53-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Suffering

-Significance

-Impact on American spirit

-Revitalization

-Survival

-Significance for nation

-Continued military service

-Return to civilian life

-Reception from public

-Discouragement

-Criticism

-GI program

-Vietnam War

-Encouragement

-POWs’ leadership

-Role in nation’s future

-Attempts to isolate nation from world’s problems

-Cutbacks

-Europe, Asia

-Opportunity for Communists

-Risner’s reaction to US

-Youth

-Searching

-Unrest

-Optimism

-Talks to students

-Reassessment of values

-Religious faith, patriotism

-Reassertion

-Letter from Oklahoma high school counselor

-Copy for President

-Students’ reception

-Ovation

-Talks with school children, college students

-Nazarean College

-Oklahoma

-Fundamentalist

-Reception

-High school

-54-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Size

-Effects of college

POWs

-Reception at White House

-H. R. (“Bob”) Haldeman

-Denton

-Date

-Announcement

-Plans

-Attendees

-Children

-POW’s wife, mother, fiancée

-Briefing on foreign policy, national security

-Kissinger

-President, Thelma C. (“Pat”) Nixon

-Evening dinner party

-Entertainment

-Numbers

-Leslie T. (“Bob”) Hope

-Vietnam Christmas show

-Les Brown Band

-Hollywood celebrities

-TV broadcast

-Briefing

-State Department

-Wives

-Attendance

-Value

-POWs charged with collaboration

-President’s news summary

-Sensitivity

-Risner’s viewpoint

-Defense Department’s recommendations

-Numbers

-Acts

-Code-of-conduct violations

-Antiwar statements

-Torture

-55-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Charges

-Col. John Flynn

-Senior officer

-Repatriation to US

-Rank compared to Risner

-Confidentiality

-Risner’s briefing of POWs

-Debriefing of misconduct

-Timing

-POW returnees

-Adm. Thomas H. Moorer

-POWs’ preference

-Leaks

-Defiance of orders

-Taped statements

-Writings [?]

-Meetings with delegations

-Correspondence with “peaceniks”

-Three who accepted early release

-Aid to North Vietnam

-Problems

-Vietnam

-Communism

-Cruelty

-Destruction

-POW treatment

-Reasons

-Reparations

-National interests

-Cease-fire

-Laos

-Reaction of POWs

-Clark Air Force Base press conference

-Risner’s comments

-Previous discussion

-Risner’s discussions with high-level official

-POW statements

-Kissinger’s visit to Hanoi

-President’s visit to North Vietnam

-56-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Risner’s discussion with Maj. [first name unknown] Bai

-Threats

-Denton, James B. Stockdale

-Attitude towards Vietnam

-Support for President

-Purpose

-Level of negotiation

-Cease-fire violations

-Aid restrictions

-Ho Chi Minh Trail

-US reaction

-Influence over North Vietnam

-People’s Republic of China [PRC]

-Union of Soviet Socialist Republics [USSR]

-Sino-Soviet rift

-US diplomacy

-High councils

-Threats compared to aid

-Pragmatism

Vietnam

-President’s meeting with Moorer

-Peace marches

-October 1969

-Cambodia invasion

-Cambodia invasion

-Purpose

-Risner’s knowledge

-May 8, 1972 decision on bombing Hanoi and mining Haiphong Harbor

-Impact on summit with USSR

-US standing

-Meeting with Leonid I. Brezhnev

-Soviet tanks in Hue

-Position of strength

-December 18, 1972 decision on bombing

-1972 election

-Cease-fire

-Breakdown of negotiations

-Conditions

-57-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Release of civilian prisoners

-South Vietnam

-Impact on POWs

-Use of airpower

-B-52s

-Moorer’s reluctance

-President’s decision

-Losses

-Criticism

-Chicago Tribune

-Message to North Vietnam

-Resumption of talks

-December 26, 1972 bombing

-State Department’s viewpoint

-President’s conversation with Moorer

-Kissinger

-B-52s

-Number

-Impact on negotiations

-Bombing

-POWs’ knowledge

-Proximity of bombers

-Reaction

-Damage to structures

-Support of POWs

-Dr. Roger E. Shields

-Responsibility of President

-President as “mad bomber”

-Necessity of bombing

-Critics

-Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision

-Bombing and mining

-Military training

-Peace negotiations

-Accuracy of B-52s

-Civilian casualties

-Risner’s knowledge

-POW support

-Night vigil

-58-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

-Surface to air missiles [SAMs]

-Damage to Hanoi

-Reaction of captors to B-52s

-Psychological effect

-Talk with Risner

-Accusations

-Change in attitude of guards

-Fear

POWs

-B-52 crews in captivity [?]

-Attitudes

-Generational differences

-Torture

-Risner’s strength

Presidential gifts

-Golf balls

Risner’s support for President

-Conversations with POWs

-Reconstruction aid

-Stories of treatment

-Delay

-POW repatriation

-Torture

-Public knowledge

-Support for aid

-POW leaders

POWs

-Reunions

-Harry S. Truman’s artillery unit from World War I [WWI]

-Bond

President’s thanks

Risner’s hat

-59-

NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

Tape Subject Log

(rev. Aug-2010)

Risner left at 4:34 pm.