General Westmoreland's otherwise distinguished military career was marred by his command during the Viet Nam war, which overshadowed his previously excellent service, during WWII in North Africa and Europe, and subsequently during the Korean war.
He was the architect of "escalation" under Lyndon Johnson, and continued to request more troops than folks at home were willing to provide -- even Johnson.
The use of defoliants and the creation in Viet Nam of extensive craterized zones gave rise to his nickname among the anti-war movement as "General Waste-more-land" (which they may have picked up from returning troops). He lost public credibility when he declared that the war was almost won shortly before the Tet offensive made it clear that the forces for Vietnames unity and independance continued to be able to mount major operations on whatever scale they felt necessary.
He retired from the military in 1972, made one unsuccessful attempt at elected office, but remained active in Veterans affairs and continued trying to convince the world that we had not suffered a military defeat in Viet Nam, but rather had "lost the political will to continue."
Alan Moore
Posts: 2012 | Location: USA | Registered: 10-05-03
On the surface, it was easy for Westmoreland to take the hit; yes, he overestimated American success and underplayed NVA and VC strength. But, he was stuck playing the cards LBJ and Macnamara dealt him. Limited war: don't do this, don't do that. You can't run a war from the Oval Office. That is why all the junior officers from Nam laid down the parameters for Desert Storm: "Bush, stay out of it, we'll do the planning and operations."
Posts: 7646 | Location: On Vacation | Registered: 06-06-02
