Word: westmorelands
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...commanders in Viet Nam have a far different problem. It is their difficult task to conduct a growing war against the Communists and at the same time avoid killing or wounding civilians-a mission spelled out in some detail by U.S. General William Westmoreland to U.S. forces in Viet Nam last July. "It is imperative that all our officers and men," said Westmoreland, "understand the importance of minimizing noncombatant casualties whenever possible." Easier said than done in a guerrilla war that often makes the innocent the willing or unwilling neighbors of the enemy...
...Marks the Spot. The techniques of "prestrike" and "reconnaissance by fire" worry Westmoreland most. A pre-strike by artillery or air is often essential to weaken possible V.C. resistance in areas where helicopters are about to land a load of troops. But its random nature makes it dangerous near villages. Artillery is especially feared-and hated-by villagers. Most peasants have long since built bomb shelters near their huts, and the sound of approaching bombers or helicopters provides time for civilians to scramble into them. But an artillery shell's whine gives warning only when it is too late...
...Communists struck hard, and the South Vietnamese column backed off at nightfall into a mile-square defense. Then from Pleiku came the alarming word that a brace of Red battalions was sneaking in from behind to surround the relief column. "Blocking Position." In Saigon, U.S. General William C. Westmoreland, commander of American forces in South Viet Nam, huddled with his Vietnamese counterparts, quickly decided that only massive American intervention could prevent disaster. Out went orders to all available military planes: start hauling men and gear to Pleiku from Bien Hoa airbase, 18 miles northeast of Saigon. In a matter...
...immediately, as was a U.S. withdrawal. To the President, the first was too dangerous, the second unthinkable. Letting things go on pretty much as they are, in the vague hope of achieving a stalemate, without substantially increasing the U.S. commitment was offered as a third possibility. But General William Westmoreland, the U.S. field commander, had urgently requested more men, and to turn him down, as the President said, would be like "hearing the call from the Alamo for help and answering that we're not coming...
During that trip, McNamara received from both South Viet Nam's Premier Nguyen Cao Ky and the U.S. field commander, General William Westmoreland requests that the number of American troops in Viet Nam, now at about 75,000, be considerably increased. By jet, Jeep and helicopter, McNamara traveled the fighting fronts, talking with U.S. troops and getting on-the-scene briefings. He flew to the aircraft carrier Independence, patrolling 80 miles off the Vietnamese coast, watched jet bombers take off to attack North Viet...