FOIA: Gulf of Tonkin - Telecon - 03 August 1964 (Teletype message)

relea00347.pdf
Telecon - 03 August 1964
This is a Teletype doc - very short.
Document date: 1964-08-03
Department: NSA Headquarters, Ft. Meade, MD (DIRNSDA)NSA Headquarters, Ft. Meade, MD (DIRNSDA)
Author: NSA SCC (Security Consultative Committee)
Document type: Teletype
pages: 1


Archivist's Notes: This Teletype basically confirms orders given to USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy. It also states that the USS Ticonderoga will offer air support during daylight hours.




[edit on 4/2/2008 by JacKatMtn]

released by NSA on 02+14-2006. as stated above, not much to add to this one.

was sent from NSA SCC OPS
recipient is blanked out

confirms orders given for patrol on 3rd August.reports a stay of 11NM offshore and then to return east at night.

To me, this is a communication certifying the continued use of the Maddox and Turner Joy as bait in an attempt to draw out the NVN, possibly provoking an attack, by staying just 11 nautical miles off shore in the Tonkin Gulf during the day. Notice air cover provided by the USS Ticonderoga, just in case anything does go down.