Lyndon Johnson actually said...

"And in appreciation for what you have done, and with the personal thanks for the support that you have given to both President Kennedy and to me, it gives me a great deal of personal pleasure in award..."

"It is needed in the true interests of the United States and in fairness and justice to all."

"I'm not going to provoke any fight."

"I want him to be absolutely certain there is no waste or misapplication of American manpower in the Department of Defense effort."