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| Vietnam-Era Commander Westmoreland Dies |
| 2005-07-19 |
| Retired Gen. William Westmoreland, who commanded American troops in Vietnam — the nation's longest conflict and the only war America lost — died Monday night. He was 91. Westmoreland died of natural causes at Bishop Gadsden retirement home, where he had lived with his wife for several years, said his son, James Ripley Westmoreland. The silver-haired, jut-jawed officer, who rose through the ranks quickly in Europe during World War II and later became superintendent of West Point, contended the United States did not lose the conflict in Southeast Asia. "It's more accurate to say our country did not fulfill its commitment to South Vietnam," he said. "By virtue of Vietnam, the U.S. held the line for 10 years and stopped the dominoes from falling." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 Joluck: veterans do not blame "Westy" for staying in charge instead of resigning. He was well aware that LBJ would gladly replace him and his entire staff with toadies and lickspittles, who would utterly screw the soldiers. He was also uniquely able to short-circuit command decisions from other Washington insiders (such as "MacNamara's Band" and several congressmen), who thought themselves able battlefield commanders and issued orders to subordinate combat units from Washington. Much like General Bradley, he put more emphasis on protecting his people then accomplishing what was evidently an intentionally futile and micromanaged mission. On top of that, he ensured that every campaign that was launched would at least result in a technical victory, so that they enemy could never claim the US military had been defeated on the ground. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-07-19 10:48 |
| #6 Took a ride on his VN-era plane once - nice Beech QueenAir, twin prop job. Hey, at least they didn't tell me to go up the river and find Colonel Kurtz... |
| Posted by: mojo 2005-07-19 10:31 |
| #5 Unfortunately, Westy was a company man. A good man, a man who cared, but not about winning. That trait is still imbuded into our GO corps. Not once did he or anyother military commander has put it all on the line by publically announcing his retirement from command because "the President and his advisers will not give me the resources to complete the mission and constrain me from military actions to destroy or cripple the enemy". Harry Summers book On Strategy: The Vietnam War in Context which became a required read at the Army War College, points out that while the GOs were upset upon the conduct of the war in Vietnam, none took this option. And we sit and watch the terrorist come in from Syria every day now. Not much changes. |
| Posted by: Joluck Jinemble9207 2005-07-19 10:16 |
| #4 General Westmoreland waa a superb leader. Let's hope President Bush sends Rummy to attend his funeral. This was a great man. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-07-19 09:29 |
| #3 Fred, this gentleman deserves today's headline. He is still much loved among veterans, and respected as a man who defended his people against incompetant and mean-spirited politicians. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2005-07-19 08:51 |
| #2 "It's more accurate to say our country did not fulfill its commitment to South Vietnam," he said. "By virtue of Vietnam, the U.S. held the line for 10 years and stopped the dominoes from falling." Good quote General. Bravo. |
| Posted by: 2b 2005-07-19 05:07 |
| #1 "It's more accurate to say our country did not fulfill its commitment to South Vietnam" I think George Bush will not repeat that mistake in Iraq |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-07-19 03:29 |