Military History
Military History
24
24
0
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/kennedy-ponders-the-vietnam-situation?cmpid=email-hist-tdih-2018- [login to see] 8&om_rid=9754f68e782e800e414bdd9d8de07d822418f1b24b8c839f0c0af3b24529c73a&om_mid=465036497&kx_EmailCampaignID=24545&kx_EmailCampaignName=email-hist-tdih-2018- [login to see] 8&kx_EmailRecipientID=9754f68e782e800e414bdd9d8de07d822418f1b24b8c839f0c0af3b24529c73a
At a meeting of the National Security Council, President John F. Kennedy is asked by his advisers to accept “as our real and ultimate objective the defeat of the Vietcong.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that 40,000 U.S. troops could clean up “the Vietcong threat” and another 120,000 could cope with possible North Vietnamese or Chinese Communist intervention. Kennedy wanted to prevent the fall of South Vietnam to the Communist insurgents, but decided to send General Maxwell Taylor to Vietnam to study the situation. Ultimately, Kennedy would send advisers, helicopters, and other military support to South Vietnam to aid President Ngo Dinh Diem in his fight against the Viet Cong.
At a meeting of the National Security Council, President John F. Kennedy is asked by his advisers to accept “as our real and ultimate objective the defeat of the Vietcong.” The Joint Chiefs of Staff estimated that 40,000 U.S. troops could clean up “the Vietcong threat” and another 120,000 could cope with possible North Vietnamese or Chinese Communist intervention. Kennedy wanted to prevent the fall of South Vietnam to the Communist insurgents, but decided to send General Maxwell Taylor to Vietnam to study the situation. Ultimately, Kennedy would send advisers, helicopters, and other military support to South Vietnam to aid President Ngo Dinh Diem in his fight against the Viet Cong.
Kennedy ponders the Vietnam situation
Posted from history.comPosted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
American History
Military History
Office of the President (POTUS)
Vietnam War American History Military History Office of the President (POTUS)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
21
21
0
Hmmm. We had an objective. Odd each administration redefined victory in Vietnam- American men and women paid for that indecisiveness. Leadership in motion....
LTC Stephen F. SP5 Mark Kuzinski COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. 'Bill' PriceCPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Sgt Vance Bonds SGT (Join to see) Cpl (Join to see) Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Rick Colburn SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Donald Libby PO1 H Gene Lawrence ] Maj Robert Thornton PO3 Bob McCord SPC John Waisman SPC Douglas Bolton CWO3 Dennis M.
LTC Stephen F. SP5 Mark Kuzinski COL Mikel J. Burroughs SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj William W. 'Bill' PriceCPL Dave Hoover SSG William Jones Sgt Vance Bonds SGT (Join to see) Cpl (Join to see) Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Rick Colburn SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Donald Libby PO1 H Gene Lawrence ] Maj Robert Thornton PO3 Bob McCord SPC John Waisman SPC Douglas Bolton CWO3 Dennis M.
(21)
(0)
Sgt Vance Bonds
PO3 Bob McCord I agree. They changed their minds According to politics and the wind direction. Had the same thing in Afghanistan. Politicians are great entertainment at tea parties but should stay out of war. Once we enter into a conflict the military should be allowed to win.......with oversight but not day to day direction of congress and the president. Unless they wish to join us.....up front
(2)
(0)
11
11
0
SP5 Mark Kuzinski This was chance to leave before the major start of the war. We never understood why these people were fighting for their own country first Japan, next France, and us. They had been at war for a couple generations.
(11)
(0)
11
11
0
Too bad he didn't pull us out sooner. Could have saved a lot of lives.
(11)
(0)
SSgt Robert Marx
It was President Eisenhower's worst decision (probably) to place American combat troops in Vietnam for any reason. Outside of fighting to protect American people or those of an ally's from clear and present danger from foes that mean to kill, American troops must protect America. You should view that precept as self explanatory but soon after inauguration, president get a gleam in their eyes that are dangerous for our troops.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google