The Presidency: Pacific Mission

THE PRESIDENCY

As soon as the news tickers told him that Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt was missing in a cruel sea, Lyndon Johnson knew that he would journey halfway round the world to say goodbye if his trusted friend and ally were not found alive. Holt and Australia had stood firm with Johnson on Viet Nam, and Johnson led 300 aides and newsmen in four jetliners 10,200 miles to honor him. For the President, who was genuinely saddened, the trip was of course much more than a re spectful condolence call. In just...

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