Oral history transcript, Samuel Gammon, interview 1 (I), 7/29/1988, by Michael L. Gillette

LBJ adjusting to presidency; staffing changes after the assassination of JFK; access to LBJ; Henry Kissinger compared to LBJ; LBJ's meeting with Haile Selassie; Eugene McAuliffe; Gammon's work as a military attaché under the NSC; Averell Harriman and the Limited Test Ban Treaty; informing LBJ of the coup against Diem in Vietnam; Vice-President LBJ's lack of inclusion in NSC events; problems between JFK's and LBJ's staffs; LBJ's loyalty to Kennedy; LBJ's distaste for protocol; events surrounding Walter Mondale's trip to Paris; how a trip to Italy led to a job working on LBJ's staff; Scandinavian trip with LBJ; LBJ “misbehaving” on VP trips; LBJ and foreign affairs; LBJ's old-fashioned nature; LBJ's ability to win over a crowd; delivering important daily news to LBJ; Carl Rowan and event scheduling on trips; LBJ's moodiness; LBJ's sensitivity about his health; LBJ buying art; LBJ's dietary requirements; LBJ ability to speak to foreign leaders and crowds.