P),,t,, , 23 December 1967

Korat. Royal Thai AF Base, Thailand Day Saturday

, .Activity (include visited by )

The President was up and dressed by 5:00 a. m. —in khaki shirt and pants andbattle jacket. Wait Rostow and Wm Bundy came in the trailer briefly, and thePresident greeted them and then suggested they eave and find a way to get himinto Karachi without the press finding out prior to arrival.

w/ General Momyery*yThe President to his car and departed trailed in which he had spent the night .

The President had been quartered in a series of trailers — his trailer wasnumber one. The trailer had two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. ThePresident's large double bed filled one of the small bedrooms.Arrive hanger speech site — in the dark of early mornThe President Went immediately to the stage where he decorated

Capt. William Crieger, 355th TFW -- Silver StarCapt. Donald F. Miles. 432nd TRW.--Silver StarMajor Myron L. Savage. 355th TFW, --Distinguished Flying Cross (10LC)Major Wintford L. Bazzell, 388th TFW,-- Distinguished Flying CrossMajor James R. Bassett, 388th TFW, Distinguished Flying CrossMjor Lloyd W. Boothby, 8th TFW -- Distinguished Flying Cross1st Lt. John C. Putnam, 355th TFW -- Distinguished Flying Cross1st: Lt. George H. McKinney, Jr., 8th TFW -- Distinguished Cross

and made REMARKS

Depart speech site

On the airplane in Presidential compartmert w/General William W. Momyer Depty Cdr. for Air Ops & Cdr 7th AF

w/ General Manager

Date 2 3 December 1967

Karat. Roya l Tha i Air Force Base, Thailandpa y Saturda y

Expendi-Activity (includ e visite d by ) tur e

Code

Takeoff fro m Kora t RTAFB , Thailan dDuring this flight, th e Presiden t was briefed by General Momyer —

who came aboard prepared w/ charts an d pointer t o discuss his activities i n th e DMZ.BREAKFAST

Walt W. rosto w joined

Aboard AF On e 8697 0 from Korat. RTAFB . wer e the following :The PresidentMr. W . Marvi n Watson. Specia l Asst to the PresidentMr. Georg e Christian, Pres s SecretaryMr. Wal t Rostow, S p Asst to the Presiden tMr. Jame s Jones , Presidentia l Ass tDr. Georg e Burkley , President' s personal physicianCol. Jame s U . Cross , Arme d Force s Aid e to the President

Mr. Rufu s Youngblood , Deput y Director, U S Secret ServiceMr - Jac k Valenti , President , Motio n Picture Associatio n o f Americ a

Mr. C. W. Eng elhardMrs. C. W . Eng elhardMr. Clinto n Hill, SAIC , U S Secret ServiceMiss Marie Fehmer, Presidentia l Secretar y

—Mrs. Mar y Beck, Presidentia l Secretar y—Mrs. Nel l Yates , Secretar y

Miss Evelyn Ferguson, Press Offic e Secretar yLCdr . To m Atkins , "Whit e House Photographer

Mr. Yoich i Okamoto , Whit e House PhotographerMiss Ruby Nivens. , Secretar y

Chief Thoma s Mills, corpsma nM.Sgt- Pau l Glynn , Presidentia l valet .M. Sgt . Marshall K. Gaddis , Presidentia l vale t

M^—^.VMM^^—^MIII—IHBM^H^^^^^^—VBB^—^VVHBB^^B^—«»^^^—B«M_^^^_B^_^H^_B ^^W^.,^_^ VV^H^

Date 23 December 1967

Korat. Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand Day Saturday

EActivity (include visited by)

Sgt. Jack Cliff, baggage handlerSD 1 Cecilio C. HH Pontanilla, Jr. . stewardMr. Charles Maguire, Presidential AssistantMr. Horace BusbyHon. Harry McPherson, Special Counsel to the PResidentGeneral Momyer

_ The P esident to the rear of the plane talking with^^ Harry McPherson and inviting him to join

. Back to the PresidentialcompartmentMarvin WatsonWalt Rostow

. Gen Wm Momyer Jack Valenti

—Harry McPherson—Horace Busby

George ChristianMr. EngelhardCharles Maguire

_ The President came to the back of the plane from time to time to speak privatelywith Walt Rostow, then the two would return to the compartm^nt with the rest of thegentlemen. _

For this flight, there were two escort planes flying off each wing tip.Other support and escort planes were at hand, but not in evidence.

THE WmiE HousE Dxtf 23 December 1967PREStDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON

DAtLY D!ARYThe President began his day at (Place) Korat, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand p^ Saturday

Time Telephon eEntry i or t-^ 1 1 Activity (inc)ude visited by)

In Out Lo LD

^3a VietNam time AF One 86970 touched down. Cam H-^Ranh Bay. ^H ̂Republic of Viet Nam

ThiS iS the PreSident'S The President was met by y^^- )^^,^;^ ^^y^^^^(^

second visit to Cam Ranh— x^r^ < ^- ,^^^:&,^^ ^^^^y^^̂Bay, ^^^^-^^--^-^-^^ty ^^^{^^-^^^ ^^^.^A^y "

.^ ^^"^ M

-^^-^^ i-*t/L i^ -_ and departed by motorcade

Vice President Nguyen CaokeyGeneral William Westmoreland

Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker

Connell

Tedadvanced

Remarks to Senior Unit Commanders

^^ ^H^

n^t^ 23 December 1967 * ^ ,Korat

, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand Day Saturday

Expendi-Activity (inctude visited by) ture

Code

^L^2^^* %^^4^^5L^ <&*t^ *t^i^%^^.^^ ̂^/&^^-U?^/. <^2^</-^>t^<L^-^^'-^t^^^L -6^, ^dZ&<^t^ ^& '-^^^^4^-^ ^T^d-3^1^

The President arrived the speech site , and posed for pictures immediately outside hiscar withHon. Ellsworth Bunker American Ambassador to Vietnam

Amb. Robert Komer

Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky of RVM

General William WestmorelandGeneral Creighton Abrams

Visited hosptial and wounded therein awardedmedals Went to briefing room

Datf* 23 December 1967

Korat, Royal Thai Air & Force Base, Thailand Day Saturday

ExpxActivity (include visited by) tu

Cc

The President and Gen. Westmoreland led a group of dignitaries to the stage."Hail to the Chief" was played.

General Westmoreland escorted the President in REVIEW of the TROOPS in anopen jeep.

Returned to the stage.

National anthem of VietNam

U.S. Nationia l Anthem

The President then decorated a large number of AirForce, Army, Marine, and Navy-enlisted men and officers.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS:Spec 4 Paul D. Charles, USALt. Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr. , USA1 st Lt. Leon Mack Wessel, Jr. USASgt. William C. Thomas, USA

NAVY CROSS:LCdr. Francis Eugene Rh Rhodes. USNGunnery Sgt. John Sherman Green. USMCGy Sgt. Leroy Nick Poulson, USMC

AIR FORCE CROSS:Col. Robert M. White, USAF

SILVER STAR:Capt. Paul Nagle Gray, USNLt., (jg).*x&^)CRH^5a ̂Samuel Allen Mies, USN

Engineman 3d Class Michael Lee Meeks, USNCapt. Jerald W. Ellington, USAF

23 December 1967^Date

Korat Royal $xhk Thai AF Base, Thailand p^ Saturday

Activity (include visited by)

Capt. Stewart R. Byrne, USAFPFC Edward Dale Davis, USMC

Sgt, gxs*. Gerald Vernand Young, USMCSSgt. Cornell Johnson, Jr. , USASpec 4 Charles W. Page, USA

PURPLE HEART:1st Lt. Leo J. Lemoine, USAFCpl. Roger W. VanTatenhove. USMCCpl. David G. Bailey, USMCLCdr. Harold E. Phillips, USNCpl. James J. Murphy, USMCLCpl. David J. Francis, USMCLt. Col. Robert M. Rufsvold, USA2d Lt. Benjamin S. Fordham, USMCPFC Joseph Sanders, USMCLt. Phillip D. Allum, USMCLCpt. Robert E. Fisher, USMCHM3 Paul L. Labonte. USNLCpt. James L. Luthman, USMCPFC Thomas W. Gaskey, USMCPFC David A. Dupuy, USMCPFC James R. Ezzell. USMCCpl. Leo Giddings, Jr. , USMCSpec 4 William M. Freeman, Jr. , USALCpl. Terry M. Whitmore, USMC2nd Lt. Robert W. "HiRBag Thompson, USMC

Datf 23 December 1967y

^lace) Korat RTAFB. Thailand Day Saturday, -phone

or t Expendi--] Activity (include visited by) ture

LD Cocie

Then Gen. Westmoreland Said at the request of the Commander-in-Chief, wouldthe troops fall out and ^HHHH^^^^come to the base of the stage beneath the President.As the troops paused uncertainly, the l^m President rose and raised his arms in

a beckoning motion. The troops then ran and squeezed in the area, around the stage.General Westmoreland then told them to remove their head covers.

REMARKS by the President

Upon finishing his remarks, the President paused a moment, then asked the troopsgathered to indulge him. while he paid tribute to their leaders.—The President awarded:—

General William Westmoreland — an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished ServiceMedal he already earned. (Cdr US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam)

General Cratgh Creightonjrams , (Deputy Cdr. US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam)Lt. General Bruce Palmer, Jr. (Deputy CG, US Army, Vietnam)

General William Momyer, USAF , (Deputy Cdr for Air Ops USMACV, Cdr 7th AF )Lt. General Robert HaH^aHHH Cushman, USMC , (CG III Marine Amphibious Force, USMACV)

Vice Admiral Kenneth Vieth , (Commander US Naval Forces, Vietnam)Vice Admiral "Bush" Bringle William F. ), Commander 7th Fleet

The President then presented civilian awards to!

Hon. Ellsworth Bunker, Amb to VietNam — his second Medal of FreedomHon. Eugene Locke, Depty Amb (not present) --Medal of Freedom

Hon. Robert Komer Medal of Freedom for his work in pacification

Following these awards the troops gave three cheers for the President.

General Westmoreland on behalf of all troops in VietNam wished the President and theFirst Lady a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, thanked the President for coming,

SEE TR and wished him God speed --"'"'--"''' -----t?rm "Tt? A\/i?T Ar^^rT\/T^rv rat?e I\o.:

Date 2 3 December 1967

Korat RTAFB, Thailand Day Saturday

Expendi-Activity (inc!ude visited by) ture

Code

AF One 86970 departed Cam Ranh Bay, Republic of VietNam with the following aboard:The President and all on the flight from Korat to Cam Ranh with the deletion ofGeneral Momyer and the addition to the manifest at Cam Ranh of Mr. William Bundy.

The President was in his compartment withMr. & Mrs. Charles EngelhardHarry McPhersonJack ValentiMarvin Watson

Mrs. Johnson in Washington

The President visited with the Englehards' -- looked at the opal cufflinks he had purchasedin Australia for Pat and Chuck -- and conferred with various advisers between receivingcables.

The President rode his exercise machine -- owpx opening the door so all aboard couldsee that he was exercising.

LUNCH -- soup, sandwiches, ice cream.In the compartment with the President wereMr. & Mrs.Engelharddmf mb

and Jack Valenti and Walt Rostow and Marvin Watson -- all in and out

The President was concerned with a report from Tom Johnson on press attitudes saying

trying to mislead the press, etc.

n^ 23 December 1967 '

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. Thailand n^y Saturday

Expendi-Activity (include visited by) ture

Code

The President signed two hills and a. large number of letters ( written to the airmen andofficers who had been responsible for the remodeling of this aircraft to make it morecomfortable for this trip the President had instructed Col. Cross to see that this wasdone as the men had performed the job at mtH ̂considerable personal sacrifice.)

The President to the back of the plane talking with various people —mainly conferring with George Christian

n^t^ 23 December 1967

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand p^y Saturday

Expendi-Activity (inc!ude visited by) ture

Code

AF One on ground at Karachi, Pakistan

The President met with President Ayub in the terminal during this refueling stop .Their discussion covered both bilateral matters and issues of common concern

on the world scene President Ayub outlined the rapid progress being made inagricultural as well as industrial development in Pakistan. President Johnso nCongratulated President Ayub on its continuing progress and especially for the success of Pal

—expanding both irrigation and chemical fertilizer application.—He assured President—Ayub of the continued support of the U.—S. for Pakistani economic development,

including food and in meeting what both Presidents hope and believe will be adiminishing food deficit. Both Presidents expressed gratification at the inaugurationof the Mangla Dam and the prospects for other such projects. The two PresidentSthen reviewed the world situation with special HHH^^emphaSis on the possibilities of

moving towards peace in VietNam, President Johnson conveyed his impressions fromdiscuSsions earlier that day in Vietnam and both Presidents shared their regret that

Statement

The President bAck to the aircraft

Takeoff from Karachi

PRESS POOL to the Presidential compartment.

11 23 December 1967

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand j^ Saturday

Activity (include visited by)

Aboard AF One 86970 from Karachi, Pakistan, were the following:The President ^Mr. W. Marvin Watson, Sp Asst to the PresidentMr. George Christian, Press SecretaryMr. Walt Rostow, Sp Asst to the PresidentMr. James Jones, Presidential AsstDr. George Burkley, President's Personal PhysicianCol. James U. Cross, Armed Forces Aide to the PresidentMr. Rufus Youngblood, Deputy Director. US Secret ServiceMr. Jack Valenti, Pres., Motion Picture Assoc. of AmericaMr, & Mrs. C. W. Engelhard, guests of the PresidentMr. Clinton Hill, SAIC, US Secret ServiceMrs. Nell Yates SecretaryMiss Marie Fehmer, Presidential SecretaryMrs. Mary Beck, Presidential SecretaryMiSS Evelyn Ferguson Press Office SecretaryLCdr Tom Atkins, White House PhotographerMr. Yoichi Okamoto, White House PhotographerMiss Ruby Lois Nivens, SecretaryChief Thomas Mills, corpsmanM Sgt Paul Glynn, Presidential valetM Sgt. Marshall K. Gaddis, Presidential ValetSgt. Jack Cliff, Baggage handlerSD 1 Cecilio C. Pontanilla , Jr. , steward

Mr. Charles Maguire, Presidential AssistantHon. Harry McPherson. Special Counsel to the President

—Hon. Horace BusbyPRESS POOL:Mr. Hugh Sidey, Time-Life

Mr. Frank Cormier, APMr. Merriman Smith, UPIMr. Frank Reynolds, ABC

VmiE HousE Datf 23 December 1967)ENT LYNDON B. JOHNSONDtARY^resident began his day at (Place) Day

Tim?. Telephone^""' f or t Expendi-

1 ] Activity (include visited by ) tureIn Out Lo LD Code

Pat Heffernan, ReutersMr. Garnet Homer, Washington Evening Star

During the flight the President read two memos from Mr. Engelhard on the balance ofpayments and had them forwarded to Joe Califano. He also asked Mr. Rostow to studythem.

In the cabin with the President after the press left the President (to go to the back of theplane to sleep in the bunks), the President hadMr. & Mrs. C. W. EngelhardMr. Walt RostowMr. George Christian

He worked on his statements for Rome and messages to send the rulers over whosecountries he flew.

Then about 3 hours out, the President took a NAP.

6:58pm Rome Time AF One 86970 landed at Ciampino Naval Air Port, Rome, Italy

P 2 3 December 1967

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand p^ y Saturda y

Activity (include visited by )

TThe President departed Ciampino Airport by helicopterw/ Ambassador G . Frederick Reinhardt, American Amb to ItalyItalian Protocol OfficerJack ValentiRufus Youngbloo d

Porziana-Arrive Porcianna Villa --to meet with President Saraga t

/*^^^^ ^t4^^>sL^€ ^ ^^€ ^ )^^*^^7-JZ^-y<-^.<^^'.n,,* ^%<^!X^^-2^--U. <^y-W^<-.-t^5^-t^L< ' ^^<-«^-^r<t.n<^^[ - T

^^ —y- —

PorzianaThe President departed Dore.i.q.inAO Villa by helicopter

Porziana

Mr Rostowdictatingnotes

Prime Minister Aldo MaroForeign Minister Amintore Fanfani

Porziana

p,,tf. 23 December 1967

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand p^ Saturday

EActivity (inctude visited by)

The President 's helicopter landed at the Vaticanfor meeting with Pope Paul VI

The President was greeted byArchbishop Benelli (Substitute Secy of State)and Msgr. Paul A. Marcinkusand Count Galeassi, Vatican Administrator--automobile and motorcade to the private apartments of thePope — Cortile San DamasoElevator to second floor - and through RxpKX Papal antechambers. In one largeroom, American student seminarians were gathered -- they cheered, and all hadinstamatic cameras.

Meeting - private - w/ Pope Paul VI (JV took notes:)

After his meeting w/ the Pope, the President had other members of his partybrought into the library - Mr and Mrs. Charles Engelhard. Dr. Burkley.Charles Maguuire. Jim Jones, mf

Gift Exchange - Pope gave the President a 15th century painting --President gave him an 8 inch bust.

The President departed the Vatican by helicopter

We arrived Ciampino Airport, Rome and went aboard thehelicopter. Accompanying the President were AmbassadorReinhardt, Walt Rostow, Ambassador Corrias, JackValenti, and Rufus Youngblood.

We arrived at Castel Porziano landing field -- at 7:20p

We drove to the Villa, arriving at 7:25p

The President rode in the car for this five minutes withAmbassador Corrias, Rufe Youngblood, and Jack Valenti.

He was greeted on the steps of the villa by President Saragatand his daughter and her two children, and Prime MinisterMoro and Mr. Fanfani.

We went to the second floor of the villa to a large meetingroom and sat at a green felt covered table. The Presidentsat across the table from Saragat. Reinhardt and Jack Valentisat to the President's right and Walt Rostow to his left.On Saragat's right was Moro, and Fanfani on his left.Interprepter sat behind Saragat. The meeting began at 7:30pand ended at 8: 17p --

to the landing strip for helicopter ride to the Vaticanarriving at 8:40p in the Vatican Garden.

We drove in a car from the Garden, accompanied by arepresentative of the Pope. In three minutes we were atthe steps of the Pope's private apartments. We were metthere by Marcinkus. We walked through a large assemblyroom where 130 young American priests studying in Romegave the President a warm ovation as he came through.Then we were ushered into the private office of the Popewith only Jack Valenti accompanying the President insidethe office. The President sat at the Pope's desk, with JackValenti to his right. Sitting across from him was the Popeand to the Pope's right was Cardinal Cicognani, Secy of Stateand Archbishop Corelli.

Meeting lasted from 8:50p-10:17p (Jack Valenti's notes ofdiscussion to DT)

Midway in the meeting, the President asked Jack Valenti tobring in Walt Rostow who came and sat at the President's

left.

After th e meeting , th e Presiden t ha d othe r member s o f hi s party brough t in , an d th e photographer s recorde d th e presentation t o th e Pop e an d th e gif t exchange .

Jack Valenti/m f

The President received a handwritten letter from King Constantine of Greece who is in exile in Rome while he was in Rome dielivered via the 1st Secretary of the Am Embassy

THE WHITE HOUSE WHO handed it unopened to the President . PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON DAILY DIARY

The Presiden t began his day at (Place)—Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base,—Thailand

Date 23 December to Mr. Rostow

Day Saturday

Entry No.

Time

In Out

Telephone f or t

Lo LD Activity (include visited by)

Expendi-ture Code

10:40p The President returned to AF One and talked in his compartment with

ll:00p George Christian

ll:05p AF One 86970 airborne for the Azores --same manifest: drop Mr. Christian

The President stayed in his cabin talking with Mr. &: Mrs. Charles Englehard

Walt Rostow Harry McPherson Jack Valenti Horace Busb y Marvin Watson about his experience s in Rome. He thought the trip very successful, especially

with the Pope

DINNER - - soup, king crab, stea k

2:00am The President to bed for a NAP

1:35a Azores Time AF One 86970 landed, th e Azores, Portugal -- US AF Base Loges AFB

The President awakened soon after landing, and discovered everyone gone to the base post exchange so, the President joined at the exchange, buying

2:14 2:44p gifts to take his family. President driven by USAF car -

Sgt. Lee driving

2: 55 am AF One departed the Azores same manifest; add Mr. William Bundy

SEE TRAVEL RECORD FOR TRAVEL ACTIVITY

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1967 OF —256-957

Page No.