Gulf of Tonkin

Please Note: These historical documents are PDF images of formerly classified carbon paper and reports that have been declassified. Due to the age and poor quality of some of the PDF images, a screen reader may not be able to process the images into word documents. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, individuals may request that the government provide auxiliary aids or services to ensure effective communication of the substance of the documents. For such requests, please contact the Freedom of Information Act Office at foianet@nsa.gov or Public Affairs Office at 443-634-0721.

Gulf of Tonkin - 11/30/2005 and 05/30/2006

On 30 November 2005, the National Security Agency (NSA) released the first installment of previously classified information regarding the Vietnam era, specifically the Gulf of Tonkin incident. This release includes a variety of articles, chronologies of events, oral history interviews, signals intelligence (SIGINT) reports and translations, and other related memoranda.

On 30 May 2006, NSA released the second and final installment of Gulf of Tonkin materials. This final release includes additional articles, chronologies of events, oral history interviews, and other related memoranda.

The opinions expressed within the documents in both releases are those of the authors and individuals interviewed. They do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Security Agency.

The Gulf of Tonkin incident, like others in our nation's history, has become the center of considerable controversy and debate. It is not NSA's intention to prove or disprove any one set of conclusions, many of which can be drawn from a thorough review of this material. Instead, through these public releases, we intend to make as much information as possible available for the many scholars, historians, academia, and members of the general public who find interest in analyzing the information and forming their own conclusions.

 

ImageTitle
 REL1_SENATE_COMM.PDFMemorandum from the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities
 REL2_HUGHES_CARROLL_OCT_7.PDFMemorandum from Thomas L. Hughes to Lt Gen Joseph Carroll USAF
 REL2_HUGHES.PDFMemorandum from Thomas L. Hughes to the Secretary of State
 REL2_HUGHES_AUG_9.PDFMemorandum from Thomas L. Hughes to the Secretary of State
 REL2_HUGHES_AUG_10.PDFMemorandum from Thomas L. Hughes to the Secretary of State
 REL2_HUGHES_SEC_STATE.PDFMemorandum from Thomas L. Hughes to the Secretary of State
 REL2_NAVAL_NAV_SEG.PDFMemorandum from U.S. Naval Security Group to Chief of Naval Operations
 REL1_GERHARD.PDFMemorandum from William Gerhard to DDO
 REL2_RESPONSE_ANNEX_345.PDFMemorandum in response to United States Intelligence Board Meeting: Special Annex USIB-M-345
 REL2_DENNEY.PDFMemorandum to George C. Denney Jr.
 REL2_DIRNSA_60_MIN.PDFNote to DIRNSA re CBS 60 Minutes segment
 REL1_TESTIMONY.PDFNotes regarding Secretary McNamara Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
 REL2_CRITIC_MESSAGES.PDFNSA Recap of CRITIC Messages
 REL2_SIGINT.PDFNSA SIGINT Command Center Record of Events
 REL1_SECDEF.PDFOffice of the Secretary of Defense response to the Senate Select Committee
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