The Presidential historical materials of S. Bruce Herschensohn are in the custody of the National Archives and Records Administration under the provisions of Title I of the Presidential Recordings and Materials Preservation Act of 1974 (44 U.S.C. 2111 note) and implementing regulations. In accordance with the act and regulations, archivists reviewed the file group to identify personal and private materials (including materials outside the date span covered by the act) as well as nonhistorical items. These materials have been returned to the individual who has primary proprietary interest.
Materials covered by the Act have been archivally processed and are described in this register. Items which are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (GSA Form 7279 or NA Form 14021) with a description of each restricted document has been inserted at the beginning of each folder from which materials have been removed. A Document Control Record marks the original position of the withdrawn item. Employees of the National Archives will review periodically the unclassified portions of closed materials for the purpose of opening those which no longer require restriction. Certain classified documents may be declassified under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to a Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.
- Linear feet of materials: 4.7
- Approximate number of pages: 12,000
September 10, 1932 Born, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1950 Graduated, University High School
1950-1951 RKO Pictures, Hollywood, California
1951-1952 U.S. Air Force, Korean War
1952-1954 RKO Pictures, Hollywood, California
1954-1956 General Dynamics Corporation, film editor/director
1956-1968 Headed his own motion picture company, Los Angeles, California
April, 1972 Resigned as director of the Motion Picture and Television Service, United States Information Agency
September 1972 White House Staff Member, Deputy Special Assistant to the President. Worked under Dwight Chapin and Bob Haldeman as a speechwriter and consultant. In December, 1973, he became the contact person for "Support the President" groups and individuals.
September 1974 Resigned from the White House Staff. Became the Executive Director of the United States Citizens Committee for Fairness to the Presidency.
1986 Ran for U.S. Senate from California
Bruce Herschensohn was a Deputy Special Assistant to the President from 1972 to 1974. He was an expert on propaganda and film-making, serving initially as a consultant on political matters and as a speechwriter. By 1973, however, the White House perceived a need for someone to act as a liaison with the public on Support of the President matters. Bruce Herschensohn acted as this coordinator of groups and individuals. He arranged for support petitions to be accepted by the White House, the Staff, and in some cases, by the President. He also wrote support articles for newspapers and magazines. Lastly, he responded to "Support the President" correspondence.
An Exit Interview was conducted with Bruce Herschensohn on September 9, 1974. It has been transcribed, reviewed, and is available for use by researchers.
Boxes: 1
Series: Chronological Files
Description: A straight chronological run of letters, memos, telegrams, and related materials produced by Herschensohn. Topics include "Support the President," suggestions for Presidential speeches and activities, media bias, Watergate, and impeachment.
Boxes: 2-4
Series: Subject Files
Description: Arranged alphabetically, topics include Watergate, "Support the President" activities, media bias, speeches, impeachment, scheduling of the President. Events include the John Ford Dinner, the P.O.W. Dinner, and Honor America Day.
Boxes: 5-12
Series: Support the President Correspondence
Spans: 5-12
Description: Arranged alphabetically by last name of correspondent. Consists of letters from the public encouraging and supporting President Nixon and Bruce Herschensohn's efforts to organize support. Topics covered include Watergate, impeachment, support-related activities, petitions, media bias, Rabbi Korff, George Dumas, and Sun Myung Moon. Within this group are three boxes of unanswered correspondence. Much of this is negative letters sent to the White House. Some of these are responses to Herschensohn's published articles regarding Nixon.
Boxes: 13-14
Series: Miscellaneous Materials
Description: Opinion papers, publications, clippings, press releases, and notes. The series is a combination of publications and many loose items in no apparent order. Six folders of "Miscellaneous Materials" are found in this series.
Series I: Chronological Files
Box 1
Herschensohn Chron Files, 1973 - [January - December]
Herschensohn Chron Files, 1974, Jan - March 13
Herschensohn Chron Files, March 14, 1974 - June, 1974
Herschensohn Chron Files, July, 1974 - [August, 1974]
Herschensohn Correspondence
Herschensohn, Miscellaneous Staff Memos
Series II: Subject Files
Box 2
Consumer Affairs [1 of 2]
Consumer Affairs [2 of 2]
Clawson, Ken
Engagements [Binder, with only dividers]
Expo '74 (Film - Commerce Dept.)
Ford Dinner Memos, March [1973]
Ford Dinner [1 of 3]
Ford Dinner [2 of 3]
Ford Dinner [3 of 3]
Box 3
[Ford Dinner] Do Not Touch, Only Copy of Seating Arrangement
Haig, General Alexander
Home With Honor Parade
Honor America
Honor America Day
Honor America Day - 1973
New American Majority Dinner
Oil Industry
P.O. W. Dinner
The President
Press Releases [1 of 3]
Press Releases [2 of 3]
Press Releases [3 of 3]
Scheduling (Parker, Gergen, etc.)
Box 4
Speeches [1 of 2]
Speeches [2 of 2]
U.S.I.A
WG [Watergate]
Watergate Legal Approaches
Watergate Legal Approaches, Ronald Ziegler
Proposed Watergate Stragedy [sic - Strategy]
Proposed Watergate Stragedy [sic - Strategy], Ronald L Ziegler
Series III: Support the President Correspondence
Box 5
Support the President Miscellaneous [1 of 2]
Support the President Miscellaneous [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, A - B [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, A - B [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, C - D [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, C - D [2 of 2]
Box 6
Support the President Correspondence, E - G [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, E - G [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, H - J [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, H - J [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, K [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, K [2 of 2]
Box 7
Support the President Correspondence, L
Support the President Correspondence, Mc - M [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, Mc - M [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, N - P [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, N - P [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, R
Box 8
Support the President Correspondence, S [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, S [2 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, T - V
Support the President Correspondence, W - Z [1 of 2]
Support the President Correspondence, W - Z [2 of 2]
Box 9
Miscellaneous Correspondence Answered by Herschensohn
[Miscellaneous Correspondence Answered by Others]
[Miscellaneous Correspondence -- Replies Only]
[Memos from Herschensohn]
[Staff Transmittals] [1 of 3]
[Staff Transmittals] [2 of 3]
[Staff Transmittals] [3 of 3]
Box 10
[Unanswered Correspondence - A]
[Unanswered Correspondence - B]
[Unanswered Correspondence - C] [1 of 2]
[Unanswered Correspondence - C] [2 of 2]
[Unanswered Correspondence - D] [1 of 3]
[Unanswered Correspondence - D] [2 of 3]
[Unanswered Correspondence - D] [3 of 3]
Box 11
[Unanswered Correspondence - E-F]
[Unanswered Correspondence - G-H]
[Unanswered Correspondence - I-K]
[Unanswered Correspondence - L-M]
[Unanswered Correspondence - N] [1 of 2]
[Unanswered Correspondence - N] [2 of 2]
Box 12
[Unanswered Correspondence - O-P]
[Unanswered Correspondence - R]
[Unanswered Correspondence - S]
[Unanswered Correspondence - T -V]
[Unanswered Correspondence - W-Z]
[Unanswered Correspondence - anonymous]
[Telephone Messages]
Series IV: Miscellaneous Materials
Box 13
["An Analysis of the Constitutional Standard for Presidential Impeachment"]
[Ideas, 1974, Volume 4, Number 2]
[National Prayer and Fast for the Watergate Crisis"]
[Speech, Article Drafts]
[Vietnam Report: 'Not In Vain']
[Miscellaneous Materials, 1 of 6]
[Miscellaneous Materials, 2 of 6]
Box 14
[Miscellaneous Materials, 3 of 6]
[Miscellaneous Materials, 4 of 6]
[Miscellaneous Materials, 5 of 6]
[Miscellaneous Materials, 6 of 6]