Military

Our actions there have reflected my belief that we must take those steps which are necessary for maintaining a balance of military capabilities and achieving stability in the area.

The increased requirement results from the larger scale of hostilities and the higher levels of ordnance required by the Cambodian Army and Air Force to defend themselves without American air support.

A communist military victory and the installation of a government in Phnom Penh which is controlled by Hanoi would gravely threaten the fragile structure of peace established in the Paris agreements.

We have reduced our total military, manpower by nearly one-third from the 1968 level.

The result would be to leave America with the second strongest army, the second strongest navy, the second strongest air force in the world.

The millions who have chosen to serve our country should be honored for their service.

No group has sacrificed more to achieve this goal than the men and women who have proudly worn the American uniform.

I have seen young officers and enlisted men who have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars out of their own pockets to build schools and community centers, roads, orphanages for the people of South Vietnam.

However, when the enemy abandons all restraint, throws its whole army into battle in the territory of its neighbor, refuses to negotiate, we simply face a new situation.

I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Let us bring our men home from Vietnam; let us end the war in Vietnam.

This means that our troop ceiling by May 1 will be down to 69,000.

It would be well for them not to retain our POW's and run the risk that it would be necessary for the United States to stay in Vietnam.

We honor today the Marine Corps, and we honor its Commandant and a splendid Marine family.

I would also like to add that General Chapman is a Marine in the truest sense.

There could be no better demonstration of the program's success than the fact that tangible first-year benefits in excess of $555 million have been realized from the suggestions of military personnel since the program began.

It is, of course, in the interest of the United States that United States citizens who participate in the activities of NATO, SEATO, and CENTO as direct hire employees of the civil or military agencies of those organizations be reliable…

All of us have enjoyed freedom, but you have stood ready to fight for it--you have protected it.