Johnson’s War

Americanizing the war in Vietnam Militarizing the American embassy Militarizing the American embassy -sent General Taylor as US Ambassador to Vietnam -sent General Taylor as US Ambassador to Vietnam General William Westmoreland takes over military operations in Vietnam General William Westmoreland takes over military operations in Vietnam -believe strongly in using firepower and conventional military tactics -believe strongly in using firepower and conventional military tactics Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – gave President Johnson a “blank check” in Vietnam to protect US forces Gulf of Tonkin Resolution – gave President Johnson a “blank check” in Vietnam to protect US forces

Send in the Marines VC attack military base near Pleiku VC attack military base near Pleiku Westy requests Marines for protection Westy requests Marines for protection 9 th Marine Division sent to Danang 9 th Marine Division sent to Danang Westy recommends more soldiers for offensive operations Westy recommends more soldiers for offensive operations Johnson sends 40,000 troops Johnson sends 40,000 troops

NVA Strengths US Strengths Strong will to fight Strong will to fight Mobilize the whole country into a total war Mobilize the whole country into a total war reinforcement every time a US aircraft bombed reinforcement every time a US aircraft bombed large- military- industrial base large- military- industrial base Superior technology Superior technology Devised strategies to capitalize on these Devised strategies to capitalize on these

American Strategy Attrition – find and kill NVA/VC. If US killed enough the Communists would eventually run out of troops Attrition – find and kill NVA/VC. If US killed enough the Communists would eventually run out of troops Erosion – heavy bombing of military and industrial targets in North Vietnam. Search and destroy military caches and the network of trails. Erosion – heavy bombing of military and industrial targets in North Vietnam. Search and destroy military caches and the network of trails. 70% of supplies received from 1200 mile coast of Vietnam 70% of supplies received from 1200 mile coast of Vietnam

Let the games begin – Operation Starlite

Goals Pre-emptive attack on VC positions Pre-emptive attack on VC positions Used heavy artillery and bombing to destroy VC positions Used heavy artillery and bombing to destroy VC positions Results - 13 to 1 kill ratio – showed policy of attrition could work Results - 13 to 1 kill ratio – showed policy of attrition could work 45 Marines killed 45 Marines killed

Increasing activity US forces move into the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands US forces move into the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands 1965 saw troop increase from 23,000 to 184, saw troop increase from 23,000 to 184,000 Enclave Strategy – defense bases and operate within 50 miles of it Enclave Strategy – defense bases and operate within 50 miles of it Firebases – semi-permanent, heavily fortified defensive bases Firebases – semi-permanent, heavily fortified defensive bases

LZ Baldy

The battle for the Ia Drang 1st cavalry was deployed at Pleiku 1st cavalry was deployed at Pleiku Told to go out and engage enemy and kill as many as possible Told to go out and engage enemy and kill as many as possible

Pleiku

LZ X-Ray

The battle is over!

Lessons Learned US became convinced that the battle of attrition would work US became convinced that the battle of attrition would work NVA decided to use more guerilla warfare type strategies – hit-and-run NVA decided to use more guerilla warfare type strategies – hit-and-run

Operation White Wing Jan. to March 1966 Lasted 40 days Lasted 40 days NVA/VC – 2,100 killed NVA/VC – 2,100 killed US – 230 Killed US – 230 Killed NVA/VC retreated across the border to Cambodia to replenish NVA/VC retreated across the border to Cambodia to replenish

Operation Attleboro Fall of 1966 Search-and –destroy mission Search-and –destroy mission NVA/VC – 1,100 killed NVA/VC – 1,100 killed US – 150 killed US – 150 killed NVA/VC retreat to Cambodia NVA/VC retreat to Cambodia Leave behind huge caches of military equipment Leave behind huge caches of military equipment

Breaking the Iron Triangle Known as a VC stronghold Known as a VC stronghold Small unit fighting, no major battles Small unit fighting, no major battles VC – 1,000 killed VC – 1,000 killed US – 400 casualties US – 400 casualties Problems: had to destroy villages in order to save village Problems: had to destroy villages in order to save village Peasants had strong ancesteral ties to the land Peasants had strong ancesteral ties to the land

Operation Junction City Feb Only parachute drop during Vietnam Only parachute drop during Vietnam NVA/VC initiated attacks at night NVA/VC initiated attacks at night Suffered heavily because US backed by artillery and tanks Suffered heavily because US backed by artillery and tanks US used beehive units 8,000 steel fleshettes US used beehive units 8,000 steel fleshettes NVA/VC - 2,700 killed NVA/VC - 2,700 killed US – 300 killed US – 300 killed

Operation Thayer II Feb Used large amounts of Napalm Used large amounts of Napalm Killed 1700 VC and dislocated 17,000 peasants Killed 1700 VC and dislocated 17,000 peasants

Westy goes to Congress Military is convinced that attrition is working Military is convinced that attrition is working Must convince American people Must convince American people Westy goes before Congress, Nov Westy goes before Congress, Nov Says, “we’re winning the war” Says, “we’re winning the war”