Oral history transcript, Norman S. Paul, interview 1 (I), 2/21/1969, by Dorothy Pierce (McSweeny)

Early government positions Paul held before becoming Assistant Secretary of Defense; his views of LBJ's decisions relating to Vietnam; availability and suitability of various planes and equipment; budgetary items; training of personnel; military versus administration affect outcomes of war; manned aircraft versus missile; aircraft needs of theAir Force; housing, pay and military benefits for the military; the use of Reserves; effects of Vietnam involvement on civilian and military relations; conflicts between Secretary McNamara and Congress; LBJ and McNamara'' efforts to remedy the Vietnam situation. McNamara's quantitative analysis and bringing order to the program; the need for strong capabilities in both conventional and nuclear weapons; recommends ABMs; Palomares as an operational and security problem which was handled well; how LBJ will be judged in the future.