Ronald Reagan's Personal Diary

Ronald Reagan is the only President in US history to create a personal, hand-written diary for every day of his presidency. There's nothing top-secret; it's just notes about the many places he visited, who he spoke with and meetings he attendend. He also had a little fun with it and wrote about who he had dinner with and what movie he and Nancy watched before retiring to bed.

When the USS Stark was attacked, he wrote about it for several days. These are the entries from his diary.

17 May

A beautiful, easy day --- until I got a call from Frank C. In the Persian Gulf off the coast of Bahrain, our Frigate the USS Stark was hit by 2 missiles fired by an Irag Mirage F1. The USS Waddell went to the scene -- both ships made port. One Am. injured. We have filed a protest. Apparently the plane did not have visual aim but fired at a radar image. More bulletins through the day & situation looking worse. Dinner with Mermie & Dennis.

18 May

Staff time -- some talk on schedule & how to announce the ship situation. Then NSC and more news on the USS Stark. We're still waiting for an apology from Iraq's Pres. We've heard from foreign minister but that's not enough.

At 9:45 a meeting with Pres. Soares of Portugal. A good meeting. Had som input from him on Mozambique & Pres. Chissano. Also on his meeting with Arias of Costa Rica. He's very disturbed about Brazil and their ec. problems. At 11:30 AM into the Rose Garden for World Trade Ceremony -- presentations of E&E Star awards. It went well but it was hot a hell. An issues briefing lunch. Later a meeting with the speech writers -- they wanted input on upcoming speeches including a few in Europe. Dick Wirthlin came by with latest figures -- a mix -- some falling a few points because of Press reporting (biased) on Cong. hearings -- Iran-Contral. On the other hand some pretty good.

Then to situation room for hour meeting on USS Stark. I've declared that we let everyone know I've ordered our naval vessels to open fire on any craft positioning itself as a possible attacker. Saw 8 Ambas's & their familys off. A haircut & up to get ready for dinner at Dick Helms. A small group Bill Webster & Sally Thomkins, Sen & Ann Simpson, John Bross, Evangeline Bruce, Mr & Mrs Robbie Evans, the Hank Greenbergs, Mel Laird & David Rockefeller. A most enjoyable evening.

19 May

To the office 1st Geo. Bush has called Sulzburger about an editorial which actually calls me a liar. So much for the NY Times. I'm waiting to hear the outcome. We decided I'll order flags half mast on the USS Stark Tragedy.

Then NSC time -- I agreed to a plan to go to Jacksonville for a ceremony -- the return of the victims of the Stark affairs. That will be Fri. morning. Frank reported it looks like H. Kohl has come around to our position on the Short range nuc. missiles. Not confirmed as yet. Then off to Chattanooga Tenn. for a commencement ceremony honoring 1,700 Sr's from 13 high schools -- all in cap & gown at the U. field house. Our plane was greeted by a crowd of 9,000 at the airport. I addressed them briefly. Then on to the U. First meeting was lunch with student body officers & several teachers. I did Q&A. They were fine young people. Then I had a brief press session with 6 local reporters. Next a photo session with about 30 teachers who had been awarded recognition as best teachers. This is a function of the foundation honoring Bill Brocks deceased wife. Bill was with us as was Bill Bennett Sec. of Ed. Then the main show -- some 9 or 10,000 people including the 1,700 graduates. I was warmly received & my address was successful.

Before leaving for Wash. I phoned Harry Carrey in the midst of his broadcast of the Chi. Cubs-Cinn. Reds baseball game in Chi. He has returned to being the voice of the Cubs after an absence because of a stroke. Finally home & Mother.

20 May

Opened day talking about news story that Navy wasn't providing transportation for next of kin to memorial service in Jacksonville Friday. I changed that quick. Later called parents in New Jersey named in story & told them they'd be hearing from the Navy. Then a little talk with Howard & Ken about Solicitor General Fried who issued a ruling that Unions could use Union members dues for political purposes without their permission. I'm in total disagreement.

NSC -- It seems Dobrynin is passing word Soviets can & will cancel missile reductions if I don't call off SDI.

Then a brief meeting with Foreign Minister Yaqub Khan of Pakistan. I got in a few words about nuc. weapons & how they must not build any. Later a talk with or by mainly by R. Perle. He's brilliant & gave a great presentation about the arms reduction process & the course we should follow. Basically it was to stay tough. Then over to EOB met with & addressed a group of great teachers & principals. Bill Bennett presented me with 3rd book on "What Works" -- title of this one -- "Schools That Work - Educating Disadvantaged Children". Great progress is being made all across the land in upgrading education.

Met with George S. He asked that we send someone to W. Germany to talk to Kohl about 0-0 in SRINF. I agreed & Linhart is on his way. George moved onto LRINF -- he's all for 0-0 there. Also discussed modernizing our Lance Missiles. Then some discussion of Middle East Peace process. And finally a problem with our designated Ambas. to Mozambique -- Melissa Wells a Foreign Service Officer. Sen Helms is blocking her approval by Sen. Committee. I want her approved. Then our meeting with Chinese delegation headed by Yang - a top level man in their govt. It went very well. Then a meeting with Baker & Meese re the choice for head of the FBI. List is down to 3 -- we picked one but won't make it final til Ed has discussed it with Webster. Then upstairs to do my exercises before 6 PM reception for 220 Repub. Women holding elective office across the country. Mermie is hosting the affair. I speak & then a reception line. It was a fine time & we shook every hand.

21 May

Word has come from Iraq Ambas. that they will pay compensation to the family's of the victims on the USS Stark. Space Shuttle set for 1st flight June of 88. Geo. S. said there was talk of Soviet Summit here in late Sept. or early Oct. I've agreed to meet with the Independent Investigator as I did with Tower Commission. Then a briefing on tunnel that is going to run from Oval O. to the W.H. shelter. End of meeting.

NSC - Kohl says he'll make decision on SRINF by early July. We were hoping for it done in June at the summit.

RENAMO has admitted to kidnap of missionarys & American Nurse. We're expecting word on the Semi-conductor situation with Japan.

Later in morning a signing ceremony at EOB of bill HR 1941 to lift some irksome regulations on Natural gas. Not all we want but a start. Then a meeting with Chancellor of Austria Franz Vranitsky. Purpose to make it plain our banishing of Austrian Pres. Kurt Waldheim di not mean any lessening of our friendship with Austria.

After lunch Personnel time then NSC meeting to discuss foreign policy issues likely to come up at Ec. Summit. A meeting with Cap W. I have a problem - Geo. B. wants to settle treaty with Soviets including 100 missiles in Asia & Alaska. Cap wants us to go for 0-0. Frankly that's what I want.

Then admin time - photos with departing individuals - meeting with Rocard of France - possible candidate against Mitterrand. Then a presentation of W.H. by book sellers of several hundred books. They've been doing this since 1930.

Then an East Room reception with "Vote For America" - a large group put together by Joe Rodgers to get people to vote. They were a great bunch.

22 May

Off at 9:20 AM for Fla. & the Memorial for the 37 USS Stark dead. We were greeted by Sec. of Navy Webb, Admiral Trost (Chief of Naval Operations). Three Rear Admirals (Perry, Ilg, and Kalleres). We went into the helicopter repair hangar - a gigantic bldg. now dressed as an auditorium. After the ceremony Nancy & I went up & down the rows greeting & hugging some 2 or 300 of the familys of the deceased. It's a heart breaking time. Then back to A.F.1 & on to Andrews Field. There we joined up with Rex (delivered by Dale) and got on Marine 1 & off to Camp D. - 1st time in several weeks.

23 May

Mixed clouds & sunshine. Nancy had to go back to Wash. to get an honorary degree from Georgetown Medical College. I junched with the troops at Camp D. then had my 1st ride in a long time. Nancy returned. I took a dip in the pool & it was Sat. Night as usual. Ran a movie about Big Foot & to my surprise I was in it - a shot of me & Bonzo on a TV set.

24 May

A beautiful sunshine, warm day - we rode again - with Nancy this time. I signed letters to each of the familys - the USS Stark victims. Then into the pool again. We ran the tape of the Special TV show on Hollywoods 100th birthday - 3 hrs. It was worth it.