Meetings: Tape 85. TFX and Appointment of New Chief of Naval Operations, 8 May 1963

Sound recording of a meeting held on May 8, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Admiral George W. Anderson. They discuss Admiral Anderson's expiring term as Chief of Naval Operations. It is clear from Admiral Anderson's tone that he believes that Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara has been extremely critical of Admiral Anderson’s handling of the TFX affair. (The TFX fighter plane contract was awarded to General Dynamics over Boeing. Members of the military had complained that they had preferred the Boeing plans, and that these recommendations were not taken into account by Secretary McNamara in the final decisions. The United States Senate later began an investigation of this contract award.) Admiral Anderson criticizes Secretary McNamara’s handling of the Department of Defense (DOD) in general. The President is quiet for most of the meeting, but does discuss Admiral Anderson taking an Ambassadorship to Portugal. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 85, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. See Related Records to access Tape 85 in its entirety.