28 Aug 66 to York
PA-Dallastown Rally 11 Jul 69 to Madrid Spain-New Delhi
India Trip
05 Oct 66 to
Anchorage AK-Manila PI Trip 12 Jul 69 to Adana Turkey-New Delhi India Trip
06 Oct 66 to Tokyo
Japan-Manila PI Trip 31 Jul 69 to New Delhi India-New Delhi India Trip
26 Oct 66 to Manila,
PI-Manila
PI Trip 03 Aug 69 to Bangkok
Thailand-New Delhi India Trip
30 Oct 66 to Tokyo Japan-Manila PI Trip 04 Aug 69 to Tokyo
Japan-New Delhi India Trip
01 Nov 66 to Chicago-Manila PI Trip 28 Jul 70
to Los Angeles CA-Century Plaza
15 Mar 67 to Zandria Surinam-Punta Del
Este Trip 30 Oct 70
to Anaheim CA-Convention Center
11 Apr 67 to Punta Del Este-Punta Del Este Trip 26 Mar 71 to Beverly Hills CA-Samuel Goldwyn
14 Apr 67 to Zandria
Surinam-Punta Del Este Trip 30 Apr 71 to Camp Pendleton CA-1st
Marine Div
15 Apr 67 to San Antonio TX-Punta Del Este Trip 01 May 71 to
Palm Springs CA-Annenberg Estate
15 July 71 to Burbank CA-NBC Studios
1968 Election Support Trip 29 Jul 71 to Santa
Rosa CA-Bohemian Grove
21 Sep 68 to Atlanta GA-George Wallace 20 Aug 71 to Loma Linda CA-Medical Center
04 Oct 68 to Newark NJ-George Wallace 28 Aug 71
to Santa Catalina Island-Mojo Cruise
07 Oct 68 to Raleigh
NC-Spiro
Agnew 27 Nov 71 to Palm Springs CA-Eisenhower
Med
24 Oct 68
to San Jose CA-Hubert Humphrey 04 Jan 72 to San Diego CA-National
Shipbuilding
27 Oct 68
to Los Angeles CA-Hubert Humphrey 06 Jan 72 to San Clemente
CA-Japan PM Sato
30 Oct 68
to Long Beach CA-Richard Nixon 20 Feb 72 to Agama Guam-China Trip
31 Oct 68
to Burbank CA-Richard Nixon 29 Feb 72
to Honolulu HI-China Trip
03 Nov 68 to Anaheim CA-Curtis Le May
The Role of NCO’s the in WHCA | |||
| |||
Type of Activity | Presidential Communications | ||
Location | |||
Location | Worldwide | ||
Date of Activity | March 25,1942 to Present | ||
Coordinates | 38° 50′ 34″ N, 77° 0′ 58″ W |
In 1954, during the Eisenhower administration, the detachment was reorganized under the office of the Chief Signal Officer, Army Signal Corps and renamed the White House Army Signal Agency. In 1962, the signal agency was transferred to the authority of the Defense Communications Agency until 1991when the Agency was reorganized to the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) with administrative oversight of WHCA’s activities. WHCA is under operational control of the White House Military Office.
Army Signal Corp
DISA |
WHCA’s Roadrunner is present today in every Presidential Motorcade worldwide providing all necessary communications links back to Washington DC. |
Today’s Command and Control vehicle codename Roadrunner |
Vice President Agnew in Newport Beach at a fund raiser(1969) |
A WHCA NCO, center, is
greeted by President Ford after installing the ramp phone for AF1. (1976) |
WHCA Vehicle Placard |
The WHCA Communications Car (Crate)
| |
Type Of Activity
| Operational Test of Equipment
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Harrisburg PA to Washington DC
|
Date of Activity
|
20 July 1966
|
Coordinates
|
Copy of the POTUS QSL W3WTE |
President Kennedy departing Philadelphia |
President Kennedy departing Philadelphia |
The Presidential Rail Car “Crate” is shown at the Thirteenth Street Station in Philadelphia (1961) |
The Presidential Rail Car “Crate” is shown at the Thirteenth Street Station in Philadelphia (1961) |
Sleeping Quarters (1966) |
Switchboard Room |
The Communications Car on the siding in VA. (1961) |
Radio Antennas on Radio Car |
Dallastown, Pennsylvania
| |
Elevation
| |
Location
| |
Location
|
York County, Pa, USA
|
Incorporated
|
1866
|
Coordinates
|
39°54′0″N 76°38′27″W
|
28 Aug 66 to York PA for Dallastown Rally with President Johnson
The Motorcade route from Harrisburg Pa.to Dallastown Pa. |
The 125’ FAA radio site near Harrisburg Pa. |
WXQXA-FM Radio Site in York Pa. |
The surveillance Chopper a Huey UH-1 |
LBJ and Lady Bird arrive at Harrisburg International Airport |
LBJ arrives aboard Air Force One |
LBJ is greeted by the crowd at Harrisburg International Airport |
The President addresses residents of Pa. in Dallastown |
Read the President’s Speech Here. |
The First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson is greeted in Dallastown |
U.S. Embassy in Manila P.I.
| |
Coordinates: 14°35′N 120°58′
| |
Country
|
Philippines
|
Settled
|
June 10, 1754
|
Elevation
|
16.0 m (52 ft.)
|
Population (2007)
|
1,660,714
|
26 Oct 66 to Manila PI with President Johnson
Manila is the capital of the Philippines and one of the 16 cities that make up Metro Manila, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world with a population of 20 million people. It is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay on the western side of the island of Luzon.
SEATO Leaders in front of the Philippine Congressional Building |
Malacañang Palace Manila Philippines |
President’s Marcos and Johnson and First Ladies |
Entrance to MacArthur's Headquarters on Corregidor |
Remains of Mile Long Barracks |
Remains of Battery Geary on Corregidor Island (Gun Barrel) |
Remains of Battery Geary on Corregidor Island (Gun Mount) |
Destinations Dates Purpose Wellington New Zealand October 19-20, 1966 State visit; met with Prime Minister Holyoake. Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Townsville, Australia October 20-23, 1966 State visit; met with Governor General Casey and Prime Minister Holt. Manila, Los Banos, Corregidor, Philippines October 24-26, 1966 Attended SEATO summit conference Unscheduled Trip Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam October 26, 1966 Visited U.S. military personnel. Bangkok, Thailand October 27-30, 1966 State visit; met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 30-31, 1966 State visit; met with Prime Minister Rahrman. Seoul, South Korea October 31-November 2, 1966 State visit; met with President Park and Prime Minister Chung.
Although the Manila Summit wasn’t scheduled to start until October 24, 1966 the preparation for the President’s visit actually started on the morning of October 5, 1966 at Andrews AFB just outside Washington DC. On the tarmac sat a large C-141 transport plane. This transport would carry approx. 30 WHCA communications personnel and tons of communications equipment to Manila. Because of the length of the flight a comfort pallet was first loaded onto the plane, this contained an airline type kitchen and a restroom; the pallet also had airline style seats that would recline. The communications equipment was loaded last. When the cargo was secured, we were ready to leave.
We left Clark AFB and flew to Yokota AFB near Tokyo to refuel, we then flew to San Francisco where went through customs. I was told that the next day that I would pick up radio equipment and go to Chicago IL to join a team that was already there setting up the trip site. When I arrived in Chicago on Nov 2 1966 I was picked up at O'hare International Airport where I loaded all of the equipment into the Vehicle and departed for the Chicago Hilton Hotel where I would be staying.
Chicago Hilton and Towers |
Since the fund raiser was being held in the Hilton Hotel, the Switchboard, Comm. Center and one set of FM Radio base stations were already set up by the time that I arrived. Now we had to cover the motorcade route the President would take from O'Hare to the Hilton downtown. We choose the USSS Field Office on the near north side to install a second set of FM base stations for the motorcade.
Approaching O'Hare International Airport |
On Nov 4 1966 we left Chicago and returned to Washington DC and home.
Entrance to CD Emergency Ops. Center |
SSB Radio Console with TTY interface |
SSB TMC 1KW Transmitter |
Punta del Este Ur.
| |
Coordinates: 34°58′16″S 54°57′07″W
| |
Country
|
Uruguay
|
Settled
|
1907
|
Elevation
|
43 m (141 ft.)
|
Population (2009)
|
7,298 approximate permanent residents
|
C-141 carrying 60 tons of equipment and 30 people |
When I returned home from Punta Del Este in March of 1967 we relocated to PA where I would be assigned to a microwave relay facility known as Cannonball as the NCOIC.
17 Sep 67 to Lemoyne PA to AT&T 1A1 Key Telephone Training
Typical Six Button Rotary Dial Telephone Set |
1A1 Key Service Unit (KSU) |
Recruiting Trip
| ||||
| ||||
Type Of Activity
|
Personnel Recruiting Trip
| |||
Location
| ||||
Location
|
Ft Bliss TX
| |||
Date of Activity
|
Aug 04 1968 to Aug 10 1968
| |||
Coordinates
|
Insignia of the United States Army Air Defense Command |
The Air Defense Command Museum at Ft Bliss |
This is an unprecedented period of time. The United States presidential election of 1968 was a wrenching national experience, conducted against a backdrop that included the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and subsequent race riots across the nation, the assassination of presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, widespread demonstrations against the Vietnam War across American university and college campuses, and violent confrontations between police and anti-war protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
And finally the stage was set for the 1968 Presidential election itself. My involvement began on Sep. 21, 1968 when I was sent to Atlanta, GA to support George Wallace at a campaign rally. This was a pretty standard stop. I installed an FM radio base in the Secret Service CP at the hotel where we were staying and provided some mobile radios for the motorcade. After several hours of activity and upon conclusion of his speech, I collected all of my equipment, and headed for the airport to return home.
04 Oct 68 Newark NJ - George Wallace
After a couple of weeks at home on October 4, I was sent first to Newark NJ to another rally supporting George Wallace. This turned out to be an in and out visit with an arrival at the airport and a short motorcade to the rally site. After the rally we returned to the airport but before the Governor departed, he personally thanked every police officer that was involved with the motorcade.
I left shortly after Gov. Wallace departed and headed to Raleigh NC where I was assigned to support Spiro Agnew at a rally scheduled on the 8th of October. Upon arrival in Raleigh I met with the SS advance agent. I then surveyed the rally site for FM radio coverage, the rally site was only two blocks from my hotel and where the CP would be installed. Governor Agnew would motorcade from the airport to the speech site, then after his speech, the motorcade returned to the airport for his departure.
Spiro Agnew speaks at a campaign rally in Raleigh NC. |
Spiro Agnew speaks at a campaign rally in Raleigh NC. |
I found myself in northern California with two weeks left before election night. I was sent to California on Oct 24th to support VP Humphrey who was making campaign speeches in San Francisco and San Jose. Both of these stops were uneventful I would set up and tear down the rally sites and after I was finished there, I was sent to Los Angeles to set up communications to cover another speech by the VP at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It was now Oct. 27th and things were starting to heat up now that the election was only ten days away. I set up the CP in the Beverly Hilton Hotel where the event was to be held and where I was staying.
VP Hubert Humphrey campaigns in Los Angeles CA |
VP Hubert Humphrey campaigns in San Francisco and San Jose, CA |
31 Oct 68 Burbank CA – Richard Nixon
In the meantime Richard Nixon was scheduled for a campaign stop in Long Beach CA for a rally on Oct. 30th. The Long Beach site was out of range for FM radio coverage so radio base stations were installed at the Long Beach airport and installed remote circuits back to the CP that was installed in the Century Plaza Hotel. After the speech Nixon would spend the night at the Century Plaza. The next day Nixon made a trip to the NBC Studios in Burbank to appear on Laugh In and utter those immortal words “Sock it to me!” Since Nixon resided in southern California he was coming home to vote.
Richard Nixon at a campaign rally in Long Beach CA |
Richard Nixon on Laugh In with Dan Rowan and Dick Martin |
I received a call from the USSS agent in charge of the protection detail assigned to Gen LeMay to let me know that there was a speech on Nov 3rd in Anaheim. I met with the advance agent at Gen Le May’s residence in Bel Air to discuss the details of the arrival, the subsequent speech and the motorcade to Bel Air. The CP would be set up in the Holiday Inn in Anaheim, just a short distance from the speech site and within walking distance to Disneyland.
U S Embassy in New Delhi India
| |
Coordinates: 28°36′50″N 77°12′32″E
| |
Country
|
India
|
Settled
|
1911
|
Elevation
|
216 m (709 ft.)
|
302,363 (New Delhi Only)
|
Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India |
Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India |
President Richard Nixon |
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi |
President Nixon with India’s Prime Minister Gandhi |
Destinations
|
Dates
|
Purpose
|
Manila Philippines
|
July 26-27, 1969
|
State visit; met with President Marcos.
|
Jakarta Indonesia
|
July 27-28, 1969
|
State visit; met with President Suharto.
|
Bangkok Thailand
|
July 28-30, 1969
|
State visit; met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
|
Saigon, Di An Vietnam
|
July 30, 1969
|
Met with President Thieu and visited U.S. military personnel.
|
New Delhi India
|
July 31-Aug 1, 1969
|
State visit; met with Acting President Hidayatullah.
|
Lahore Pakistan
|
August 1-2, 1969
|
State visit; met with President Yahya Khan.
|
Bucharest Romania
|
August 2-3, 1969
|
Official visit; met with President Ceausescu.
|
Mildenhall United Kingdom
|
August 3, 1969
|
Informal meeting with Prime Minister Wilson.
|
The Janpath Hotel |
Embassy assigned driver |
Vice President Agnew in Cedar Rapids IA |
The Royal Orleans Hotel near the VP's Suite |
The VP speaks at a Republican fund raiser |
The Agnew’s on the way to Brennan's Restaurant |
The Vice President continues to blast the National Networks |
Del Webb’s Townhouse in Phoenix AZ in 1970 |
News Conference at the Century Plaza Hotel
| ||
The Century Plaza Hotel in Century City
| ||
Type of Activity
|
Live Press Conference
| |
Location
| ||
Location
|
Century Plaza Hotel Los Angeles, California
| |
Date of Activity
|
July 30 1970
| |
Coordinates
|
34.05556°N 118.41694°W
|
July 30 1970 to a Press Conference in Los Angeles with President Nixon
The Main Entrance of the Century Plaza Hotel |
Richard Nixon's Press Conference Remarks |
The President at the conclusion of his Press Conference |
09 Aug/27 Aug 70 to Thurmont MD to build CCT’s HF Control Console
Typical HF installation on overseas trips (URT 23) |
The Re-Election of Gov. Ronald Reagan Rally
| |
| |
Type of Activity
|
Campaign Speech and Political Rally
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Anaheim Convention Center Anaheim Ca
|
Date of Activity
|
October 30 1970
|
Coordinates
|
33.802455°N 117.919843°W
|
President Nixon at a political rally for Gov. Ronald Reagan and Senator George Murphy |
The President and Mrs. Nixon departed from San Clemente in Army One accompanying them was, Governor Ronald Reagan and Senator George Murphy.
Note: The President spoke at 7:37 p.m. in the Anaheim Convention Center. His remarks were videotaped for broadcast at 8:30 p.m. on the CBS television network on time purchased by the Republican National Committee.
Citation: Richard Nixon: "Remarks in Anaheim, California." October 30, 1970. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project.
The Vice President at a Republican Fund Raiser
| ||
Type Of Activity
| Speech and Fund Raiser | |
Location
| ||
Location
| Newport Beach CA | |
Date of Activity
|
01 Nov 1970
| |
Coordinates
|
33°40′34″N 117°43′52″W
|
We had only one day to set up our radios, order and install the phones in the Vice Presidents suite and the USSS CP. We also had to set up a single circuit for Secure TTY Communications back to the Western White House Commcenter. Because the President was also visiting the local TELCO was available to work all of orders and completed them a few hours before the arrival the next day.The Vice President arrived at the Orange County Airport (renamed John Wayne Airport) and motored to the Newporter Inn. The Vice President was scheduled to speak at a fundraiser that evening followed by a reception at the hotels pool.
Poolside Reception
|
VP Agnew vacations in Palm Springs Ca.
| |
Welcome to Palm Springs
| |
Type Of Activity
|
Communications Support Trips
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Palm Springs California
|
Date of Activity
|
Nov. 19 1970 to Dec. 27 1971
|
Coordinates
|
33°49′26″N 116°31′49″W
|
The Hearst Residence Front Entrance |
Palm Springs International Airport |
Vice President Agnew and Frank Sinatra Golfing in Palm Springs |
Fore!!!!! |
1971 NBA All Star Game
| |||
| |||
Type Of Activity
|
NBA All- Star Game
| ||
Location
| |||
Location
|
San Diego California
| ||
Date of Activity
|
Jan 12 1971
| ||
Coordinates
|
32°45′19″N 117°12′44″W
|
MVP: Lenny Wilkens
EAST ALL-STARS (107)
| ||||||||
Player, Team
|
Min.
|
FGM
|
FGA
|
FTM
|
FTA
|
Reb.
|
Ast.
|
Pts.
|
Billy Cunningham, Philadelphia
|
19
|
2
|
8
|
1
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
John Havlicek, Boston
|
24
|
6
|
12
|
0
|
2
|
3
|
2
|
12
|
Willis Reed, New York
|
27
|
5
|
16
|
4
|
6
|
13
|
1
|
14
|
Earl Monroe, Baltimore
|
18
|
3
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
2
|
6
|
Walt Frazier, New York
|
26
|
3
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
Johnny Green, Cincinnati
|
7
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
0
|
4
|
Dave DeBusschere, New York
|
19
|
4
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
3
|
8
|
Lou Hudson, Atlanta
|
17
|
6
|
13
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
14
|
Gus Johnson, Baltimore
|
23
|
5
|
12
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
12
|
John Johnson, Cleveland
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
Bob Kauffman, Buffalo
|
4
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Wes Unseld, Baltimore
|
21
|
4
|
9
|
0
|
0
|
10
|
2
|
8
|
Tom Van Arsdale, Cincinnati
|
11
|
4
|
8
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
8
|
Jo Jo White, Boston
|
22
|
5
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
9
|
2
|
10
|
Totals
|
240
|
49
|
118
|
9
|
18
|
68
|
25
|
107
|
WEST ALL-STARS (108)
| ||||||||
Player, Team
|
Min.
|
FGM
|
FGA
|
FTM
|
FTA
|
Reb.
|
Ast.
|
Pts.
|
Connie Hawkins, Phoenix
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Jerry Lucas, San Francisco
|
29
|
5
|
9
|
2
|
2
|
9
|
4
|
12
|
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee
|
30
|
8
|
16
|
3
|
4
|
14
|
1
|
19
|
Dave Bing, Detroit
|
19
|
2
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
Jerry West, Los Angeles
|
20
|
2
|
4
|
1
|
3
|
1
|
9
|
5
|
Elvin Hayes, San Diego
|
19
|
4
|
13
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
2
|
10
|
Bob Love, Chicago
|
21
|
6
|
12
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
16
|
Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles
|
18
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
8
|
5
|
2
|
Jeff Mullins, San Francisco
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Geoff Petrie, Portland
|
5
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
Oscar Robertson, Milwaukee
|
24
|
2
|
6
|
1
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
Dick Van Arsdale, Phoenix
|
12
|
2
|
4
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
3
|
4
|
Chet Walker, Chicago
|
19
|
3
|
9
|
4
|
5
|
3
|
1
|
10
|
Lenny Wilkens, Seattle
|
20
|
8
|
11
|
5
|
5
|
1
|
1
|
21
|
Totals
|
240
|
43
|
95
|
22
|
31
|
53
|
31
|
108
|
Score by Periods:
|
1st
|
2nd
|
3rd
|
4th
|
Totals
| |||
East
|
26
|
34
|
23
|
24
|
107
| |||
West
|
30
|
32
|
20
|
26
|
108
|
Referees: Mendy Rudolph and Ed Rush.
Attendance: 14,378.
1971 Bob Hope Desert Classic
| |
Type Of Activity
|
Golf Tournament
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Palm Springs California
|
Date of Activity
|
10 Feb 1971 to 14 Feb 1971
|
Coordinates
|
33°49′26″N 116°31′49″
|
Frank Sinatra’s estate in Palm Springs |
The Vice President golfing in the 1971 Bob Hope Desert Classic with Bob Hope
A great souvenir from the 1971 Desert Classic |
Award Presentation to Samuel Goldwyn
| |
Type Of Activity
|
Award Presentation
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Beverly Hills California
|
Date of Activity
|
27 Mar 1971
|
Coordinates
|
34°4′23″N 118°23′58″W
|
President Nixon presents the Medal of Freedom to filmmaker Samuel Goldwyn |
The Vice President at a Republican Fund Raiser
| ||
Speech and Fundraiser in San Diego CA | ||
Type Of Activity
|
Speech and Fundraiser
| |
Location
| ||
Location
|
San Diego CA
| |
Date of Activity
|
01 Nov 1970
| |
Coordinates
|
32.690163°N 117.139277°W
| |
Vice President Agnew talks to reporters |
Presidential Unit Citation Presentation
| ||||
| ||||
Type of Activity
|
Award ceremony
| |||
Location
| ||||
Location
|
Camp Pendleton San Diego County, Ca
| |||
Date of Activity
|
April 30 1971
| |||
Coordinates
|
+33°20′N 117°25′W
|
The President being escorted to receive salute |
President Nixon and Commandant Chapman review the Troops |
President Nixon Addressing the 1st Marine Division |
Presentation of the Presidential Unit Citation to the 1st Marine Division |
The President Departs with his daughter Trisha |
| |
Aerial view of the Annenberg estate complete with an 18 hole golf course |
Organizational Readiness Evaluation (ORE) |
||||
|
||||
Type of Activity |
Organizational Readiness Evaluation (ORE) |
|||
Location |
||||
Location |
Camp Pendleton San Diego County |
|||
Date of
Activity |
May 11 1971 |
|||
Coordinates |
+33°20′N 117°25′W |
Abandoned Quonset Huts |
Frank Sinatra’s Retirement Concert
| |
Type of Activity
|
Indoor Theater Concert
|
Location
| |
Location
|
135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California
|
Date of Activity
|
June 13 1971
|
Coordinates
|
34°3′29″N118°14′50″W
|
Dorthy Chandler Pavilion and the Ahmanson Theater |
Ahmanson Theater |
Frank Sinatra's retirement concert |
Inside the Ahmanson Theater where Frank Sinatra's retirement concert was held. |
Frank Sinatra’s retirement in 1971 |
President Nixon Announces his Visit to China
| ||
NBC Studios in Burbank CA
| ||
Type Of Activity
|
Televised News Conference
| |
Location
| ||
Location
|
Burbank CA
| |
Date of Activity
|
July 15 1971
| |
Coordinates
|
34°09'14.7"N 118°20'00.5"W
|
The President and Henry Kissinger arrive at NBC Studios with HR Haldeman and Ron Ziegler |
The President Announces his Planned Trip to China |
July 15, 1971
Thank you and good night.
The President’s handwritten notes from that day, before delivering his announcement: |
NBC Studios site of President Nixon’s announcement that he was going to visit China in March of 1972 |
Bohemian Grove
| |
Entrance to the Bohemian Grove
| |
Type Of Activity
|
Unknown Presidential Function
|
Location
| |
Location
|
Santa Rosa/Monte Rio CA
|
Date of Activity
|
29 July 1971
|
Coordinates
|
C130 Hercules Cargo Transport |
Passenger jump seats
We arrived at Hamilton AFB at 6:30 am and started to unload our equipment, there were rental vehicles available to transport the equipment to a nearby hotel where we would meet with the Secret Service advance team who would reveal to us the President's itinerary.
|
We were told that the President would be going to a location north of Santa Rosa CA. It would be necessary for us to provide radio coverage for USSS security detail and the of course the President while at the club. We set up a meeting with the local TELCO in Santa Rosa, loaded our radio equipment into a van and headed north! We met with the TELCO in Santa Rosa and discussed the geographic location of the site; we determined that the best place to install our radio base stations would be in the Monte Rio central office, which was near the entrance to the Bohemian Grove.
The Bohemian Grove just outside of Monte Rio, CA. |
Two future U.S. presidents, Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, are pictured with Harvey Hancock (standing) and others at Bohemian Grove in the summer of 1967. |
We met a local TELCO representative at the Monte Rio central Office (CO) where we were going to install the FM radio base stations. Once the base stations were fired up and the antennas were installed on the roof we began a radio survey to determine how well we could cover the area in and around the Bohemian Grove. We never received the authorization to conduct radio tests from within the grove, so we could only test at the entrance which was guarded by camp valets.
We returned to the CO. to wait for the remote keying lines to be installed in the USSS CP and the WHCA switchboard. At about 10 PM we got a call that the President’s visit had been canceled and that we need to pack up all of the equipment and return to our base of operations.
The next morning we loaded up all of our equipment and returned to Hamilton AFB to catch a C-130 back to El Toro. We departed Hamilton never getting to see first-hand exactly what was so exclusive about the Bohemian Grove!
Loma Linda University Medical Center
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Type of Activity
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Announcement to build new Hospital
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Location
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Location
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Loma Linda Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA
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Date of Activity
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20 Aug 1971
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Coordinates
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34°03′09″N 117°15′51″W
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Marine One arrives at Loma Linda Medical Center |
President Nixon announces the construction of a new VA hospital in Loma Linda Ca |
President Nixon remarks |
Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center Loma Linda Ca |
Santa Catalina Island
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The Casino in Avalon on Catalina Island
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Type of Activity
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Boat Excursion to Santa Catalina Island
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Location
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Location
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Santa Catalina Island CA
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Date of Activity
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August 28 and 29 1971
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Coordinates
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33° 23′ 0″ N, 118° 25′ 0″ W
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. Blackjack Mt. radio site |
.WHCA radio site overlooking Catalina Airport |
Approaching Catalina Island's Airport in the Sky |
Airport in the Sky Main Terminal |
The Newporter Inn in Newport Beach CA |
Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach CA |
Avalon Bay at Catalina Island |
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Motorola Radio Training Center
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Type Of Activity
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Technical Training
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Location
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Location
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Schaumburg IL
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Date of Activity
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Sep 19 1971 to Sep 25 1971
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Coordinates
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42° 4'5.20"N 88° 2'44.47"W
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Motorola Headquarters Schaumburg IL |
Motorola P-33 5w FM transceiver |
HT-220 1.5w FM Transceiver |
Paging system Encoder |
Motorola Page Boy radio paging unit |
Mauna Kea Beach-Hilo Hawaii
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Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Hilo, HI
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Type of Activity
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Communications Support Trip
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Location
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Location
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Hilo HI
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Date of Activity
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13 Oct 1971
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Coordinates
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19°42′20″N 155°5′9″W
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13 October 1971 to Hilo Hi with Henry Kissinger
Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu HI |
14 Nov 71 to Washington DC-Lincompex for High Frequency Radio
WHCA Radio Shop site of Lincompex training |
Eisenhower Medical Center
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Type of Activity
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Hospital Dedication
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Location
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Location
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Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA
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Date of Activity
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November 27 1971
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Coordinates
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November 27 1971 to Palm Springs with President and Mrs. Nixon and Vice President and Mrs. Agnew
The San Clemente CCT made many trips to Palm Springs in support of the President and Vice President. Most of the visits were only golf outings but, on November 27 1971 President and Mrs. Nixon attended the dedication of the Eisenhower Memorial Hospital and Eisenhower Medical Center in Palm Desert CA.; also in attendance were Mrs. Eisenhower, Vice President and Mrs. Agnew and Governor and Mrs. Reagan all of which had protection details that need access to our communications either directly or indirectly.
We had to install the CP and the WHCA COMM-center in a nearby hotel for the USSS and WH staff the switchboard was installed in the GTE central office in Palm Springs. There was a radio site on Edom Hill which overlooked Palm Springs Airport, The Medical Center and the Annenberg estate where the President always stayed. WHCA had installed Baker and Charlie base stations that we turned up when a trip was eminent. We also installed FM radios at the USSS CP, close to the speech site.
Bob Hope at the ground Breaking Ceremony |
Bob Hope donated the land for the Eisenhower Medical Center |
President Nixon speaks at the dedication of the Eisenhower Medical Center |
Mrs. Eisenhower, Vice President and Mrs. Agnew, Governor and Mrs. Reagan, President and Mr. Hope [laughter],1 all of the very distinguished guests who are here on the platform and who are here in the audience:
And so on this occasion, we as Americans, thinking of one of our great men, thinking of this institution that honors him, dedicate ourselves to the tasks ahead: of building a strong, healthy, vigorous America; meeting the challenge of building a world of peace for us, and for all people in the world.
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Citation: Richard Nixon: "Remarks at the Dedication of the Eisenhower Memorial Hospital, Eisenhower Medical Center, Palm Desert, California." November 27, 1971. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=3237.
_______________________________________________________________________________
A private tour of the facility followed the dedication |
There was also a small reception held following the dedication |
The President and Bob Hope enjoy a round of golf |
The Nixon’s return to San Clemente |
It was time to retrieve all of our equipment and return to Our facility at El Toro MCAS.
Support trip to Palm Springs Ca.
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Type Of Activity
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Communications Support Trip
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Location
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Location
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Palm Springs California
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Date of Activity
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27 Dec 1971 to 4 Jan 1972
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Coordinates
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33°49′26″N 116°31′49″W
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Frank Sinatra’s estate at the Tamarack Country Club |
Bob Hope golfing with Vice President Agnew |
State Visit of Prime Minister Eisaku Sato
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Type of Activity
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Summit Meeting
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Location
| |
Location
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La Casa Pacifica San Clemente Ca
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Date of Activity
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January 6 1972
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Coordinates
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33.390989°N 117.597081°W
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The President greets steel workers at the National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. |
The President arrived at the Western White House the night before his proposed trip to NSSC and made the 60 mile helicopter flight to the San Diego Naval Air Station on Jan. 4th where the Presidential Limo waited. The motorcade then proceeded to the shipbuilding yard.
Construction is underway of a super-tanker at the NSSC shipyard in San Diego. |
Prime Minister Sato Arrives at the Western White House |
The Presidents Trip to China
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Coordinates: 39°54′50″N 116°23′30″E
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Country
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China
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Settled
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473 BC
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Elevation
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43.5 m (143 ft.)
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Population (2009)
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22,000,000
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President Nixon and his advisers on AF1 in route to China |
Chairman Mao and President Nixon |
The Nixon’s arrival in China |
The Nixon’s tour the Great Wall of China
At the conclusion of his trip, the United States and the PRC Governments issued the Shanghai Communique, a statement of their foreign policy views and a document that would remain the basis of Sino-American bilateral relations for many years. Kissinger stated that the U.S. also intended to pull all its forces out of the island of Taiwan. In the communique, both nations pledged to work toward the full normalization of diplomatic relations.
|
Letter of Appreciation |
Certificate of Membership |
Destinations
|
Dates
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Purpose
| |
Agana Guam
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February 20-21, 1972
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Rest stop in route to China
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February 21-28, 1972
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State visit; met with Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou En-Lai.
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WHCA’s Role in the President’s Trip to China
Agana the Capital of Guam |
B-52 departing Andersen AFB to Vietnam |
R-1051 SSB Receiver |
The WHCA Mini-switchboard |
The President, Mrs. Nixon, Dr. Kissinger, and a few Staff members arrived in Peking on February 21, 1972 to begin one of the most historic events in history. The President would spend seven days in China, during that period of time the WHCA installations on Guam would be the focal point for most of the communications to and from the President and his Staff.
The President left China on February 28, 1972 and we immediately started to remove our equipment and got ready to load it on a C-141 returning from China with some WHCA personnel.
The answer was to defer our customs clearance until we reached the U.S. instead of Guam. Finally, The plane was loaded, and we were ready to depart Guam for a couple of days of rest in Honolulu, Hi. We were all ready for some R&R after spending close to a month preparing and executing this very historical event.
We received clearance cleared and departed Guam for Hickam AFB, once again we had a major problem with the C-141 . All of the equipment that we loaded on the C-141was deck mounted and not as simple as moving a dozen pallets, so they wanted to fix the aircraft instead of unloading it. The Hickam AFB folks were like the people in Guam, checked the regulations and deferred the Customs clearance to mainland U.S.
We stayed in Hawaii for two
days at the Ala Moana hotel on Waikiki in Honolulu both the
El Toro CCT and the Homestead CCT again boarded the aircraft.
The rest of WHCA members were being deferred to their next stop. There were still both DC folks bound for AAFB and the Key Biscayne CCT headed to Homestead. By the time they arrived in Homestead, they had been officially in country for over 7 days, and still not cleared.
I do not believe they ever did clear customs.
Vice President in New Orleans
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Type Of Activity
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Republican Party Fundraiser
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Location
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Location
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New Orleans LA
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Date of Activity
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24-25 April 1972
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Coordinates
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29°57'22.7"N 90°03'56.2"W
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April 24 1972 to New Orleans LA with Vice President Agnew
The Roosevelt Hotel |
The Royal Orleans Hotel |
1972 Republican National Convention
| ||
Type of Activity
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Acceptance Speech
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Location
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Location
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Miami Beach Convention Center
| |
Date of Activity
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23 August 1972
| |
Coordinates
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25° 47′ 42″ N, 80° 8′ 0″ W
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The Miami Beach Convention Center Site of the 1972 Republican National Convention |
Ron Kovic and Jane Fonda lead the antiwar protests in 1972 |
Ron Kovic and Jane Fonda lead the antiwar protests in 1972 |
The Miami Marine Stadium and floating stage where President Nixon and Sammy Davis Jr appeared at a public rally |
Sammy Davis Jr gives President Nixon a hug |
First Lady Pat Nixon behind her is Senator Bob Dole of Kansas and Governor Ronald Reagan of California |
Inside the Miami Beach Convention Center awaiting President Nixon's acceptance speech |
Richard Nixon wins the Republican Nomination in 1972 |
Ocean Reef Club
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Type Of Activity
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Boat Cruise
|
Location
| |
Location
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Key Largo FL
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Date of Activity
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Various times Nov. 1972 to Oct. 1973
|
Coordinates
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25°19'13.0"N 80°16'42.0"W
|
"Wolf Hound" Volga 70 Hydrofoil (2008) |
The President and Mr. Rebozo on the Coco Lobo III |
Departing the dock at Key Biscayne on a cruise to North Key Largo, FL |
Walkers Cay and Grand Cay, Bahamas | |
Walkers Cay Club, Bahamas (note radio antenna), WHCA maintained UHF system | |
Type of Activity | Communications Support Trips |
Location | |
Location | Bahama Islands |
Date of Activity | Various |
Coordinates | 27°15′27.8″N 78°23′40.7″W |
Grand Cay Bahamas
Main Residence where President Nixon would always Stay The Commcenter would have to deliver messages to the President by taking a 13ft. Boston Whaler to Grand Cay. Once a message was received the WHCA Commcenter tech had to return to Walkers Cay, type the message on tape, send to Key Biscayne, and then they relayed it to the White House, who then made distribution and sent it on worldwide via the AUTODIN network. Writer to reader times when you add the boat trip, typing times, and relay times were awfully slow. Nothing like Instant Messages and email we enjoy today. A 3rd grade kid on the street corner today has better communications than POTUS did 40 years ago without the Internet or cell phones. Main House Living Room Main House Dining Room Game Room in Main House VIP Guest Villa Grand Cay |
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The Main House Boat Dock and USSS CP on Grand Cay There was a small house by the boat dock for the caretaker and a small bunk house for necessary support personnel during the trip. The Secret Service CP and WHCA radio room was in the same building near the front entrance of the main residence. |
Support Staff Bunkhouse The bunk house was two small to house everyone, so the Secret Service would stay on Grand Bahama Island (GBI) near Freeport and they would be choppered in to change shifts. Golf carts were the normal mode of transportation. |
Big Grand Cay Island (Guest Villa behind Main Residence on other side of the island) |
UHF Radio shot from GBI to Walkers Cay to Grand Cay |
Army helicopter crashes near Grand Cay Bahamas, lay overturned in water |
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