September 17, 1971

MEMORANDUM FOR: VAN SHUMWAY

FROM: COLEMAN HICKS

SUBJECT: Silver Helmet

A cable, copy of which is attached, arrived yesterday to announce an award for Dr. Kissinger. Dr. Kissinger would like Mr. Klein's view on whether he should attend the awards dinner when a proper date is received. Additionally, he wonders if anybody knows what this award is all about. Can you help me on this one?

Wicket and Cricket

KISSINGER, HENRY A. / Imo / 1971 / California

KISSINGER, HENRY A. / Awards

October 5, 1971

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
c/o The White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear Dr. Kissinger:

On Saturday, November 6, at 8 p.m. at The Bistro in Beverly Hills, Wicket and Cricket will host its 15th annual black tie dinner-dance. This socially prominent event annually bestows a "Man of the Year" award on a surprise guest of honor.

Our directors very much wish to have you be that "Man of the Year" and to invite you and your lady to attend. This is strictly a social occasion with no speeches, no head table, nor any of the usual falderal.

Wicket and Cricket is composed of 35 single men in the Los Angeles community. Its president is attorney William B. Rudell who is also consul-general for the African nation of Botswana. Edmund G. Brown Jr., California's Secretary of State, will be one of the guests attending along with several others of whom you may be familiar.

Since there is no advance publicity on the "Man of the Year" we are quite flexible and can wait until the very last second for definite word on your plans. With your momentous visit to China in the interim, we realize it will be impossible to formulate anything concrete. We will just keep hoping that you will be able to join us on November 6 for all of us have tremendous admiration for all you have accomplished.

Kindest regards,

John L. x Seitz
Secretary
Wicket & Cricket
900 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, Calif. 90017

(213) 683-1537

[L.C]

③

[L.C.]

Premio Internazionale "La Madonnina,"

20129 Milano - Corso Plebisciti, 9 - Tel. 719.895

La Presidenza

NSC 1106

Milan, 25th January 1972

Dear Mr. Kissinger,

It is a pleasure and an honour
to approach you, especially in the matter
I have to bring to your attention.

I am the President of the Inter-
national Award, "La Madonnina", founded here
in Italy for the recognition of achievements
of high merit.

During the past thirteen years
this Prize has been conferred upon leading
personalities from all parts of the world:
Borges, Barnard, Graham Greene, Ungaretti,
von Euler and Sutherland, and you surely
know that the last two personalities receiv-
ed the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

This year we set ourselves the
task of selecting a man distinguished in
the field of international relations. It
is the unanimous opinion of the Adjudicating
Committee that the most deserving of re-
cognition is Henry Kissinger, "the man of
hope": hope for a better world, a world
freed from antagonism and domination, a
world of peace.

The Award, which takes the form
of a gold "Madonna", the civic emblem of the
City of Milan, is attested by an inscribed

2.

[LC]

parchment. It is presented at a ceremony held on 29th February in the presence of Italy's foremost personalities in the field of culture and politics. I hope that you may be able to come to Italy to receive this Prize and the declaration of tribute that accompanies it.

In order to give you some more information I communicate you that the International Prizes will be awarded also to prof. Sune Bergström and prof. Claude Lewi-Strauss; the national ones to On. L. Preti, Minister of Finance, Mr. De Nora, one of the promoters of electronic industry, Mr. De Feo, responsible for RAI-Radiotelevisione Italiana.

I know, of course, that these few lines are insufficient to enable you to share with us feelings of esteem that extend far beyond mere sympathy and friendship. But they will, I believe, reassure you in your work of strengthening the bond between men of different nations and different callings who are devoted to human progress. It is with this in mind that we eagerly await your acceptance.

While trusting that you will regard this proposal as a mark of our great esteem and respect for you, we await your reply with keen confidence.

I am,

Yours very sincerely,

Renata Pescanti Botti

February 4, 1972

Mr. Kissinger:

I asked Mr. Sonnenfeldt's office for some information on this award and how this request should be handled and it was his recommendation that you should not accept this award (in person or in absentia) while you are in office.

What do you want to do?

Accept in absentia ____

Regret, retype letter as it stands ✓

jlp

February 1, 1972

Mr. Sonnenfeldt:

I need your help on this one. There is no chance that Mr. Kissinger will be able to be in Milan on February 29 because of the China trip. Does his absence from the Award presentation mean that he is automatically disqualified? If not, should he dis-qualify himself or is this an award he should receive?

Thank you.

Julie

[Y]

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

Dear Mrs. Botti:

Thank you for your letter of January 25 inviting me to come to Milan to accept "La Madonnina." I am honored by your kind gesture.

Unfortunately, I will be with the President on his trip to China at the time the awards are presented and regret therefore that I will not be able to accept the Prize you have so kindly offered me, in person.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Best regards,

Henry A. Kissinger

Mrs. Renata Pescanti Botti
Premio Internazionale "La Madonnina"
20129 Milano
Corso Plebisciti, 9
Italy

[L.C.]

20129 Milano - Corso Plebisciti, 9 - Tel. 718.895

La Presidenza

NSC 1106

Milan, 25th January 1972

Dear Mr. Kissinger,

I am the President of the Inter
national Award, "La Madonnina", founded here
in Italy for the recognition of achievements
of high merit.

During the past thirteen years
this Prize has been conferred upon leading
personalities from all parts of the world:
Borges, Barnard, Graham Greene, Ungaretti,
von Euler and Sutherland, and you surely
know that the last two personalities receiv
ed the Nobel Prize for Medicine.

./.

6211
7750

KISSINGER, HENRY A. / Awards
UNIV. OF NOTRE DAME
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE

3/9/72

Dear Mr. Andrus:

Thank you for your letter of March 2.
I am honored by your nomination of me to
receive the 1972 Senior Fellow Award. I
appreciate your thinking of me.

Unfortunately the possible dates for my
coming to your campus are likely to be
filled with official demands on my time.
As you know, the President will be going
to Moscow in May and the weeks preceed-
ing his visit there will be occupied with
preparations. I regret therefore that I will
not be able to join you.

Thank you for writing to me.

Mr. Eric Andrus
Senior Fellow Committee
✓Student Union Academic Commission
Box 639
Notre Dame, Indiana 46556

GENERAL

KISSINGER, HENRY A.

March 28, 1972

MR. PARKER

George Bredig one of the writers of the attached letter called
you.

He and a John Garvey wrote on behalf of the Harvard Republican
Club and their annual Washington trip on April 17 and 18 at which
time they wish to meet with the President and Dr. Kissinger
and present both of them their Republican Man of the Year Award.

O'Donnell has seen this and advises (see note) Dent and Rumsfeld
are going to see them here

Further, O'Donnell advises that Mr. Finch will see them and accept on behalf of the President if it is desire.

Question now from both O'Donnell and Mr. Bredig is could the
President take a few minutes out to see the group -- perhaps at
the time they see Kissinger.

Think any chance of this in the event Dr. Kissinger sees them?

Bredig says they have following time available:

Monday, April 17 from 10:15 to 11:15 and from 12:30 to 2 pm

Tuesday, April 18 - 12:30 to 1:30

Mary

MAR 28 1972

CENTRAL FILES

2366

GENERAL

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FGG-11// KISSINGER, HENRY A.
KISSINGER, HENRY A./AWARDS

March 29, 1972

Dear Dr. Bornkessel:

I greatly appreciated receiving your warm and friendly letter of March 7. I am particularly moved by your generous suggestion concerning the "Goldene Buergermedaille" of the city of Fuerth. It would be a great honor for me to accept this medal and I would be pleased to do so.

I know you will understand that I cannot at present make specific plans to travel to Fuerth during 1973 around the time of my birthday. It would perhaps be best to leave the discussion of precise arrangements until early next year.

Again, my deep appreciation.

Dr. Hans Bornkessel
Altoberguergermeister
851 Fuerth, Bavaria
Germany

RECEIVED

MAR 3 1972

CENTRAL FILES

Dispatched 3/30/72 (rb)

KISSINGER, HENRY A.

April 13, 1972

The Honorable Dr. Henry Kissinger
The White House
Washington, D. C.

Dear Dr. Kissinger:

We are truly sorry that you were unable to
participate in the AMVETS Silver Helmet Awards program on
Saturday evening March 25.

Those attending were certainly disappointed at
your inability to be physically present to receive the AMVETS
Silver Helmet Peace Award. Apologies for your absence were
very capably handled by Mr. Bill Rh Vatican, Staff Assistant to
the President.

I would like to request a time and place for the
National Commander to make a formal presentation of the Award.
Also, I cordially invite you to be our guest at the Commander's
Banquet during our 28th Annual National Convention. The Banquet
is scheduled for Saturday evening August 26 at the Jung Hotel in
New Orleans, Louisiana.

With kindest personal regards, I remain,

RBG:sb

TELEGRAM

March 24, 1972

Mr. Robert B. Gomulinski
National Executive Director
AMVETS
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

I very much regret that unexpected changes in my schedule have
made it impossible for me to be with you Saturday night to receive
the Silver Helmet Peace Award. Please convey my disappointment
to your members at the Awards Dinner.

I look forward to meeting with you on my return to Washington in
order personally to accept your distinguished award.

Best regards. Henry A. Kissinger

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

March 23, 1972

General Haig:

The AMVETS have asked that Henry send them a telegram. We could send a telegram in his name from the White House. But since HAK is in Mexico it seems the most authenatic solution would be to have Jon send the telegram commercially from Acapulco. I propose that the attached telegram go to Jon for commercial sending from Acapulco and that HAK not even be advised that the telegram is being sent. Is this satisfactory?

Yes

No; HAK must see telegram

Coleman

KISSINGER, HENRY A.

October 27, 1971

Dear Mr. Hall:

I am honored to be selected by the AMVETS
National Honors and Awards Committee to
receive its 1971 Silver Peace Helmet Award.

The pressures of various international events
and absence from this country have been re-
sponsible for a regrettable delay in my response.
I accept with pleasure your invitation to the
AMVETS Awards Dinner on March 25, 1972.
You can understand, I hope, that events always
have the potential to rearrange my schedule
without warning. Putting that aside, however,
I look forward to attending the dinner in March.

Mr. Ralph E. Hall
National Executive Director
AMVETS /D.C.
1710 Rhode Island Avenue, N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20036

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

October 20, 1971

MEMORANDUM FOR: HENRY A. KISSINGER

FROM: COLEMAN HICKS

SUBJECT: Silver Helmet Award

In September, the AMVETS unanimously voted the 1971 Silver Helmet Peace Award to you. They have requested your presence at a special awards dinner to be held in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 25, 1972. You asked for the opinions of Mr. Haldeman and Mr. Klein and also requested general information about the AMVETS and the award they are offering you (Tab A).

On being asked for his opinion about the desirability of your receiving the award, Mr. Haldeman's office suggested that Chuck Colson be consulted. Colson heartily endorses your receiving the Silver Helmet in March (Tab B). Herb Klein similarly feels that you should be present at the award dinner, if possible (Tab C).

The AMVETS are apparently one of the "big four" veterans groups and have previously presented to President Nixon an award similar to the one you would receive. The President was scheduled to attend the 1970 AMVETS award ceremony, but was called away on official business regarding the flight of Apollo XIII.

At the dinner next March, an award for Americanism will go to John Wayne, for defense to Congressman Hebert; a special award will go to Mayor Washington. Attached at Tab D is assorted AMVET literature. It reflects the presence at prior AMVET awards dinners of such people as General Westmoreland, Ambassador and Mrs. Rabin, Father Hesburgh, Red Skelton, and Secretary Laird.

(Tab 1)

Attached is a proposed letter for your signature indicating your appreciation for the award and your hope that you will be able to attend the dinner in March. Is this satisfactory?

Yes

No

MEMORANDUM

THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON

September 27, 1971

MEMORANDUM TO: Coleman Hicks

FROM: DeVan Shumway

SUBJECT: Silver Helmet

I am enclosing some material on the Silver
Helmet Award which the American Veterans of
World War II proposes to award to Dr. Kissinger
in a ceremony March 25 at the Washington Hilton.

Herb Klein feels he should accept if possible.
It is the group's peace award -- and will reinforce
our search for a generation of peace. The helmet
itself is a replica as you can see from the
enclosures.

At the same ceremony the award for Americanism
will go to John Wayne; for Defense to Congressman
Hebert and a special award will go to Mayor
Washington.

They do like to have the honored guest present
for the ceremony. The President got a special Gold
Helmet Award from the Amvets some time back.

Enclosure