Word: mcnamara
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Dates: during 1960-1969
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...McNamara said that the bombing could not have any coercive effect but merely impeded Hanoi's efforts to infiltrate men and supplies below the 17th parallel. He also hinted that the restrained bombing might have significant diplomatic bargaining value. But just following McNamara testimony, the Administration approved raids on areas--like the port city of Haiphong--McNamara wanted left untouched...
...case, it is almost certain that the escalation of the bombing would have proceeded more quickly if McNamara's eloquent, detailed counsel had not been offered...
...outgoing Secretary and the military commanders also clashed last spring over the extent of a troop increase. McNamara was successful in persuading the President to give General Westmoreland only a fraction of the new troops he wanted for 1968, thereby avoiding a call-up of the reserves...
During this controversy, however, McNamara further jeopardized his relations with the military by openly criticizing the manpower efficiency of Westmoreland's command in Vietnam. He forced the U.S. commanders in Vietnam to increase the percentage of troops in the field, while cutting the number needed for non-combat operations...
...McNamara's third major clash with the generals over Vietnam policy in the last year concerned the construction of a $3 billion anti-infiltration barrier across the 17th parallel. McNamara is understood to have though that the success of this device--yet to go into operation--might have obviated the need for air raids into the North. But the pro-bombing generals insisted that it would be ineffectual, and would commit large numbers of troops to stand guard at the border. Since McNamara is now leaving, there is some doubt that the controversial barrier will ever go into operation...