UNVEILING THE TAPESTRIES OF THE VIETNAM WAR: PART 10

On the historic day of March 8, 1965, the shores of Da Nang, South Vietnam, witnessed the arrival of 3,500 U.S. Marines, marking the commencement of the American ground war. This bold move, aimed at defending the Da Nang Air Base, garnered overwhelming support from the U.S. public. Little did they know that this initial deployment would swell to an astonishing 200,000 troops by the end of the year, reshaping the landscape of the Vietnam War.

General William Westmoreland, recognizing the critical nature of the situation, advocated for an aggressive departure from defensive strategies, boldly stating, "U.S. troops with their energy, mobility, and firepower can successfully take the fight to the NLF (Viet Cong)." This marked a paradigm shift from the previous administration's insistence on South Vietnam taking the lead. Westmoreland's three-point plan outlined a path to victory, with phases dedicated to halting the losing trend, mounting major offensives, and ultimately destroying enemy forces.

President Johnson approved this transformative strategy, envisioning victory by the end of 1967. However, he chose to keep this shift discreet, emphasizing continuity in public statements. The war now depended on a contest of attrition and morale, abandoning the notion that South Vietnam could manage its own affairs. Westmoreland and McNamara championed the flawed body count system as a metric for victory.

As the American buildup unfolded, it not only transformed the South Vietnamese economy but also had a profound societal impact. The influx of manufactured goods inundated the nation, with Saigon's main PX resembling a shopping haven comparable to New York's Bloomingdale's.

The call for allies to contribute troops echoed across Washington, with Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and the Philippines answering the plea. However, major NATO countries like Canada and the United Kingdom declined to send troops. The U.S. and its allies embarked on complex search and destroy operations, such as the pivotal Battle of Ia Drang in November 1965, employing innovative tactics like large-scale helicopter air assaults and strategic bomber support.

Despite major operations like Operation Masher, the elusive PAVN/VC insurgents continued to demonstrate tactical flexibility. By 1967, the war had generated a staggering 2.1 million internal refugees in South Vietnam, highlighting the human cost of these endeavors. The Viet Cong and PAVN, with their strategic initiatives, countered U.S. military doctrines and tactics.

Simultaneously, the political landscape in South Vietnam stabilized with the rise of Prime Minister Nguy?n Cao K? and Chief of State Nguy?n V?n Thi?u, ending a series of coups. However, political intrigues persisted, with Thieu eventually outmaneuvering Ky and securing power through questionable means.

The Johnson administration's "policy of minimum candor" led to a growing credibility gap as media coverage and official pronouncements diverged. Despite public proclamations of victory, internal reports revealed that Viet Cong forces retained strategic initiative, fueling skepticism and eroding trust in the government's narratives. Meanwhile the Viet Cong hatched another fatal plan. #vietnamwar #kuriaandco