President Kennedy wanted to keep USA out of Vietnam

[Octafish]

86. Peter Dale Scott did the yeoman's work on JFK and Vietnam issue.

McNamara - Taylor
PROPOSED STATEMENT
Oct 2, 1963

The security of South Vietnam remains vital to United States security. For this reason we adhere to the overriding objective of denying this country to communism and of suppressing the Viet Cong insurgency as promptly as possible.

Although we are deeply concerned by repressive practices, effective performance in the conduct of the war should be the determining factor in our relations with the GVN.[28]

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White House - Kennedy
ACTUAL STATEMENT
Oct. 2, 1963

The security of South Vietnam is a major interest of the United States as other free nations. We will adhere to our policy of working with the people and Government of South Vietnam to deny this country to communism and to suppress the externally stimulated and supported insurgency of the Viet Cong as promptly as possible. Effective performance in this undertaking is the central objective of our policy in South Vietnam.

While such practices have not yet significantly affected the war effort, they could do so in the future.

It remains the policy of the United States, in South Vietnam as in other parts of the world, to support the efforts of the people of that country to defeat aggression and to build a peaceful and free society.[29]

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White House - Johnson
NSAM 273
(SECRET)
NOV. 26, 1963

It remains the central object of the United States in South Vietnam to assist the people and Government of that country to win their contest against the externally directed and supported communist conspiracy. The test of all U.S. decisions and actions in this area should be the effectiveness of their contributions to this purpose.[30]

SOURCE: http://www.history-matters.com/essays/vietnam/KennedyVietnam1971/KennedyVietnam1971.htm