Declassified per Executive Order 13526, Section 3.3
NND Project Number: NND 63316. By: NWD Date: 2011
18 December 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
This will confirm our discussion of this morning in which we agreed that:
1. The Senior U. S. Military Commander in South Vietnam will have the direct responsibility for all U. S. military operations in that country, and the authority to discuss both the U. S. and Vietnamese operations directly with Diem and the leaders of his government.
2. The Senior U.S. Military Commander will have the title "Commander, U. S. Military Assistance Forces — Vietnam."
3. The Senior U.S. Military Commander will have direct access to CINCPAC and through him to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense on all military matters.
4. The U.S. Ambassador in Vietnam will be responsible for political and basic policy matters.
5. The two U.S. representatives will keep each other informed of the operations within their respective spheres.
SIGNED
Robert S. McNamara
| cc: | Mr. Wm. P. Bundy |
| Mr. Nitze | |
| DepSecDef |
