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6/10/55 - Spec. Exec.

43

Governor's Office
Raleigh, North Carolina

June 10, 1955

The Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of
North Carolina met in Special Session in the Governor's Office on Friday,
June 10, 1955, at 2:30 P. M., Governor Luther H. Hodges presiding, Arch T.
Allen, Secretary. The following members were present: Mrs. May L. Tomlin-
son, Mrs. Albert H. Lathrop, Mr. Thomas J. Pearsall, Judge John J. Parker,
Mr. John W. Umstead, Mr. Victor S. Bryant, Mr. George Watts Hill, Mr.
Rudolph I. Mintz, Mr. John W. Clark, Mr. Wade Barber, and Mr. Reid A. May-
nard. Mr. W. Frank Taylor was necessarily absent.

Governor Hodges opened the meeting by advising the Committee that he
had received a telephone call from Mr. Charles Wilson, Secretary of Defense,
a telephone call from Mr. John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State, and a
telegram from Mr. Charles Wilson, The Secretary of Defense, urging that the
Executive Committee release President Gordon Gray from his duties in the
University in order that he may accept an appointment as Assistant Secretary
of Defense for International Security Affairs.

Governor Hedges read the text of the telegram from Secretary Wilson,
which stated the following:

"I appreciate very much your cooperative attitude in assisting
us in our search for the best man available to fill the post of
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs.
I know that the Secretary of State has talked with you about the
importance of this position because it is one that has such a close
working relationship with many of the important matters all over the
world, which are handled by the State Department.

"Over the past five years this position has grown to one of in-
creasing importance in the Department of Defense because of the
magnitude of our foreign aid programs, the importance of our planning
and cooperation with our allies, particularly in the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization and in Korea, Formosa and Indo-China, and in the
tremendous base construction programs which we have abroad.

"This Office also has major responsibilities in the conduct of
our national security planning through its association with the
National Security Council Planning Board and in cooperation with the
Joint Chiefs of Staff in the preparation of our positions for im-
portant international conferences.

"The Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs
frequently must travel with the Secretary of State to international
meetings and represent the Department of Defense at those meetings
either with or without the Secretary of Defense.

"I hope that at your meeting today you will explain the importance
of this post to the Board of Regents and that they will consider
favorably releasing Dr. Gordon Gray in order that he may undertake
this work."