These Presidential historical materials 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 private or personal as well as non-historical items. Such items, if found, have been withdrawn for return to the individual with primary proprietary or commemorative interest in them.
Materials covered by this act have been archivally processed and are described in this finding aid. Items that are security classified or otherwise restricted under the act and regulations have been removed and placed in a closed file. A Document Withdrawal Record (NA Form 14021) has been placed in the front of each folder describing each withdrawn item.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 restrictions. Classified documents may be reviewed for declassification under authority of Executive Order 13526 in response to Mandatory Review Request (NA Form 14020) submitted by the researcher.
- Linear measurement of materials: 1 linear foot, 3 linear inches.
- Approximate number of pages: 3,000
This subject category contains material relating to FG 233, Veterans Administration. The Veterans Administration was established in 1930, when Congress authorized the President to “consolidate and coordinate Government activities affecting war veterans.” The three component agencies became bureaus within the Veterans Administration. Brigadier General Frank T. Hines, who directed the Veterans Bureau for seven years, was named as the first Administrator of Veterans Affairs, a job he held until 1945.
The VA health care system has grown from 54 hospitals in 1930, to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 domiciliaries. VA health care facilities provide a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care. The responsibilities and benefits programs of the Veterans Administration grew enormously during the following six decades. World War II resulted in not only a vast increase in the veteran population, but also in large number of new benefits enacted by the Congress for veterans of the war. The World War II GI Bill, signed into law on June 22, 1944, is said to have had more impact on the American way of life than any law since the Homestead Act more than a century ago. Further educational assistance acts were passed for the benefit of veterans of the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam Era, Persian Gulf War, and the All-Volunteer Force.
In 1973, the Veterans Administration assumed another major responsibility when the National Cemetery System (except for Arlington National Cemetery) was transferred to the Veterans Administration from the Department of the Army. The Agency was charged with the operation of the National Cemetery System, including the marking of graves of all persons in national and State cemeteries (and the graves of veterans in private cemeteries, upon request) as well and administering the State Cemetery Grants Program.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was established as a Cabinet-level position on March 15, 1989.
The records consist of correspondence, memoranda, notes, annual reports of the VA, newsclippings, and press releases dating from 1969 to 1973 that relate to the VA. Primary correspondents include the President, William Baroody, James H. Cavanaugh, Dwight Chapin, Peter M. Flanigan, Herbert G. Klein, William E. Timmons. W. J. Driver and Donald E. Johnson, Administrators of the Veterans Administration, also appear frequently in the records. Subjects covered include the VA budget, the resignation of Driver and appointment of Johnson, VA facilities, media coverage of VA activities, and appointments to the Board of Veterans Appeals. Corresponding oversized attachments 920, 4133, 4192, 8153, 8960, 9264, 10112, 10741, 11372, 11716, 11720, 12447, 12642, 13656, and 14332 have been processed and are available in White House Central Files: Processed Oversized Attachments. Oversized attachments 5405, 5965, 13982, and On-the-Shelf Oversized Attachment 135 have not been processed.
The terms Executive and General are used before the code FG 233 generally to determine the source of the materials. Items designated Executive are communications among national, foreign, state and local governments and their agencies, Members of Congress, and other prominent people. Items designated General are communications between Government officials and private citizens, institutions, and other private interests.
Box 1
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/20/1969-6/30/1969
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 7/1/1969-12/31/1969 [1 of 2]
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 7/1/1969-12/31/1969 [2 of 2]
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1970-6/30/1970
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 7/1/1970-12/31/1970
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972] [1 of 3]
Box 2
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972] [2 of 3]
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972] [3 of 3]
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1973-4/30/1973
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 5/1/1973-12/31/1973
[EX] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1974-[8/9/1974]
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/20/1969-6/30/1969
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 7/1/1969-12/31/1969
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1970-6/30/1970
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 7/1/1970-12/31/1970
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972]
Box 3
[GEN] FG 233 Veterans Administration 1/1/1973-[8/9/1974]
[EX] FG 233/A [1969-1974]
[GEN] FG 233/A [1969-1974]
[EX] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals [1/20/1969-12/31/1970] [empty]
[EX] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972]
[EX] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals 1/1/1973-[8/9/1974]
[GEN] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals [1/20/1969-12/31/1970] [empty]
[GEN] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals 1/1/1971-[12/31/1972]
[GEN] FG 233-1 Board of Veterans Appeals 1/1/1973-[8/9/1974] [empty]
[EX] FG 233-1/A [1970]
[EX] FG 233-1/A [1971-1972]
[EX] FG 233-1/A [1973-1974]