Essay, Research Paper: The Vietnam War

The Vietnam War lasted through six presidents, 50,000 dead American
Soldiers and 25 years of battle. In 1945 Vietnamese nationalist declared
independence from France. In 1954 France surrenders 10,000. Vietnam
splits, North and South. American's thought that Vietnam was thought to be
the gateway for China and Soviet Union. South Vietnam was thought to be
vulnerable to attack from these countries. Ho Chi Minh wants to unify
Vietnam. Eisenhower felt that South Vietnam was essential to western
Security. John F. Kennedy wants to prevent South Vietnam from becoming
communist.
In 1962 Guerrilla control spreads across Vietnam. 25,000 American
Advisors where sent over to show the South Vietnamese how to use
American weapons. These troops where sent to Saigon. They where often
drawn into battle by the North Vietnamese (Viet Cong). The troops were no
match for the Viet Cong. The rebellion was lead by 8,000 Southern born
communists. 1963, American troops totaled 35,000.
The South Vietnam President was a nationalist and a devoted Catholic,
in a nation of Buddhists. In 1963 seven Buddhist Monks committed suicide
by setting themselves on fire. They did this to protest South Vietnam
President's repressive rule. These suicide monks got the nickname The
Human Torches. Ambassador Henry Capatlarge remembers going into the
Oval Office and hearing JFK saying; "Look at that, look at what things have
come to". He was staring at a picture of the Human Torches. CIA chief in
Saigon supported the South Vietnam president. Some people wanted to
change the Saigon government.
Intense debate was started in the U.S. government. Secretary of State
Dean Russ informed Ambassador Large, in Saigon. Large told CIA agent
Lussen Ciaen, "My instructions were that I was to inform General Mien that
the US government would not thwart there cool. I convey this.
On November 1, 1963 Diem palace guards fought back but was
overthrown by the Generals men and Diem and his brother were found
murdered in the morning. JFK was distraught. He was assassinated three
weeks later. Lyndon Johnson took over as president. JFK had planned to
remove troops in Vietnam, according to historians. Defense Attorney Robert
McNamara supports a strong stand in Vietnam. North Vietnamese infiltrate
the Ho Chi Minh trail. In 1964 Hanoi increased infiltration. Johnson sends
Military chief to direct military policy. General Maxwell D. Taylor became
Ambassador, he thought it was only for a year.
August 4, 1964 two US Destroyers patrolled off the North Vietnam
coast, in the Gulf of Tonkin. South Vietnamese have been attacking this
coast for weeks. The destroyers came under attack. Johnson retaliates
against the North Vietnam. On August 5, Johnson informs the public "We
knew that the hostile actions against the US ship on the high seas of the Gulf
of Tonkin, Have today required me to order the military forces of the US to
take action and refire." Bombers hit oil and supply depots. After Johnson
asks congress for congressional approval to conduct war without declaring
it. Congress approved overwhelmingly. Johnson feels this will end the war
in six months.
The North Vietnamese except sacrifice. Entire communities move
underground. The North Vietnamese were supplied by Russia. The
Communist respond by taking the war to South Vietnam's cities. October
1964, US plans to increase bombing. Viet Cong attacks at air bases in South
Vietnam. Johnson decides to send in ground combat troops.
March 8, 1965 3,500 marines land in Denang. There objective was to
defend the air bases. Congress processed a request for 90,000 troops to be
sent over to South Vietnam. Approved, and 90,000 troops were sent with
conventional weapons.
North Vietnam declares a full war. The Viet Cong had complete
immobilization of man power. All forces was used for survival in the North
and Victory in the South. The Ho Chi Mahn is used for a life line for the
North. The Ho Chi Mahn trail is seen by the US, as being a key to end the
war, by shutting it down. The US relies on a war at a distance. Viet Cong
defense is to strong for a ground strike. Bombing increases the cost to a
billion dollars a year. America loses 500 planes over the trail. The American
High Command claims success but Viet Cong infiltration increases. The trail
was never shutdown. The trail was not one stationary trail, it consisted of
many smaller trails, that lead to different places.
The Prime Minister of South Vietnam was a great admirer of America.
He receives seven billion dollars in aide from the US. The aide only reaches
the black market, because of many political officials resented American
influence. The troops had there own broadcasting station. The broadcasts
consisted of daily updates on the weather back in the states.
North Vietnam matches the number of troops, that we had. The tactic
search and destroy arouses controversy. The US units, the AirForce units,
and the South Vietnamese units would patrol in the jungle till they found the
main force units of the Viet Cong and destroy them. Troops searched
villages and some where set on fire. The Viet Cong executed 37,000 people.
The villages were used as base camps by the Viet Cong. Destroying them
was essential. Troops would go into one village and find nothing, go into
another- nothing, then they would find a village used by the Viet Cong as a
base camp. One time a seven year old was used to lure soldiers into one
ambush. The Viet Cong were rarely seen unless dead.
The Viet Cong relied on booby traps, land mines. The Bouncing Betty
was the most commonly used, all the land mines were homemade. If you
stepped on it and picked up your foot a grenade type device would shoot up
waist high and exploded taking out you legs of the unfortunate soldier. The
troops had to encounter the B.B.'s while searching for a handful of Viet
Cong who had become experts in Guerrilla Warfare.
By 1968 the war had drawn in a half a million soldiers. The war was
judged by the kill ratio, which was often exaggerated. The number of body
count continues to rise, so does the Viet Cong infiltration. US tries larger
operations. Helicopters become a key in tactics. The helicopters supplied
mobile firepower, 1,000's of gunships were brought in by helicopters. The
helicopters became very vulnerable to attack. 5,000 were lost fighting the
war.
America becomes impatient. Quarter of a million South Vietnam
troops dies. Belief of little help from South Vietnam, leads to protest in
America. Troops see this to and ask, "What the hell is going on here?"
America demands help from the South Vietnamese. They claim the US
directs the war by itself. Prime Minister agrees with that statement. Johnson
loses support because of the way he handles the war. This leads to heavy
criticism. The men burn there draft cards in America. World Heavy Weight
Champion Muhammad Ali refuses the draft. "I would rather face machine
gun fire than detect from the teaches of the all mighty god, and the Nation of
Islam."
1967, 50,000 demonstrators lead by David Dillanger, he found out that
entire villages were being wiped out, schools, churches, and hospitals
included. "The only thing the war is going to stop if there is war in the
streets of America. People see that there is going to be a war in the streets of
America. Then they are going to stop dropping bombs on Vietnam, 10,000
miles away, and tend the war in America." Jerry Ruben.
November 1967, Johnson orders bombing to within five miles of
Hanoi. He dines that the war in the south is going badly. Johnson tries to tell
America what they like.
North Vietnam plans a bold offense to shatter Americans hope from
ending the war. January 20, 1968 North Vietnam launches main attack.
They occupy the American Embassy in Saigon. 100 cities and towns
assaulted by 80,000 Viet Cong. American troops must fight in the cities.
Television flashes home images of pain and doubt. This was the first war
fought without news censorship. Protest intensifies in America. The new
secretary of state doesn't support the war in Vietnam. He suggests we get out
of Vietnam. Johnson withdraws half of the bombings. Johnson does not
seek reelection.
In 1969, Nixon is elected. He wants peace, the protests increase in
America. Defense Secretary Melvin Lead wants to Vietnamese the war and
deamericanese it. September 1969, Ho Chi Mahn dies. He was a peace
leader.
In 1970, North Vietnam receives four billion dollars from the
communists. North Vietnamese troops withdraw from South Vietnam.
Nixon tries bombing the border. He also tries invading Cambodia. The
operation fails. The Viet Cong get away and leave little supplies. Kent State
University, Ohio, student demonstrators were opened fire on, killing four.
In 1971 Daniel Webster releases critical papers on the war. Henry
Kissinger, ordered by Nixon to begin secret peace talks with North Vietnam
to stop the war, North Vietnam refuses. Nixon orders heavy bombing by
B-52's. Viet Cong crosses the border into South Vietnam, but was stopped
by heavy bombing. Nixon orders heavy bombing closer to the capital.
Bombs reach the industrial suburbs of Hanoi. Nixon tries to force a peace
agreement before the November election. Kissinger says that peace is at
hand, a week before the election. Nixon wins election by the greatest
number of popular votes. For the first time B-52's bomb Hanoi for 11 days
over Christmas, in 1972. 2400 Greenich means time 1973 a cease fire is
called. The American troops leave, 50 are left behind. America cuts back
aide, in December 1974. Ford declares the war over as far as America is
concerned. We did our part.