Letter from President Kennedy to Bobbie Lou Pendergrass
3/6/1963
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President John F. Kennedy sent this letter of sympathy to Mrs. Bobbie Lou Pendergrass. He was responding to a letter she sent following the death of her brother, James McAndrew, who was killed in a helicopter crash in South Vietnam. He addresses her question about why the United States isn't sending more troops by pointing out that servicemen, like her brother, are in Vietnam as advisors, not combatants.
The President wrote "Americans are in Viet Nam because we have determined that this country must not fall under Communist domination," and that it is "apparent that the Communist attempt to take over Viet Nam, is only part of a larger plan for bringing the entire area of Southeast Asia under their domination." He says that "the threat to the Viet Names people is, in the long run, a threat to the Free World community, and ultimately a threat to us also."
At the time of the letter, Kennedy wrote, 45 American soldiers had given their lives in Viet Nam.
The President wrote "Americans are in Viet Nam because we have determined that this country must not fall under Communist domination," and that it is "apparent that the Communist attempt to take over Viet Nam, is only part of a larger plan for bringing the entire area of Southeast Asia under their domination." He says that "the threat to the Viet Names people is, in the long run, a threat to the Free World community, and ultimately a threat to us also."
At the time of the letter, Kennedy wrote, 45 American soldiers had given their lives in Viet Nam.
This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-WHCF: Papers of President Kennedy: White House Central Files.
National Archives Identifier: 194128
Full Citation: Letter of Condolence From President Kennedy to Mrs. Bobbie Lou Pendergrass; 3/6/1963; Papers of President Kennedy: White House Central Files: White House Subject File: National Security - Defense; Papers of President Kennedy: White House Central Files: White House Subject File, 1/20/1961 - 11/22/1963; Collection JFK-WHCF: Papers of President Kennedy: White House Central Files; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-president-kennedy-bobbie-pendergrass, April 28, 2025]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.
