The Vietnam War was costly, long, gruesome war fought between the pro communist North Vietnam and the US backed South Vietnam. During this war, a number of civilian were involved in the formulation of policies that had great implication on the war. Besides, there were military leaders whose ideas changed the course of the war. This paper discusses these leaders.John F. Kennedy Kennedy was the US president between 1961 and 1963. He signed US military and economic aid with South Vietnam in 1961. This treaty increased the US funding of military activities of South Vietnam. He also the number of increased the US military advisors in South Vietnam. In addition, he supported the ouster of unpopular South Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diem in 1963.Lyndon Johnson Lyndon was the US president between 1963 and 1969. He raised the number of US military officers in Vietnam. He also authorized the bombing of North Vietnam controlled areas in an operation dubbed ‘Rolling Thunder’ in 1965.Richard Nixon Nixon was US president between 1969 and 1974. He initiated the withdrawal of the US troops from Vietnam that was finally realized in 1973 after the signing of the ceasefire agreement between South Vietnam and North Vietnam. He also pursued Vietnamization policy (Hastedt, 2004).
This policy called for greater involvement of South Vietnamese forces in the war Americans. In addition, Nixon authorized US military activities in Vietnam neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Laos.Robert McNamara McNamara was the US Secretary of Defense during Kennedy and Lyndon presidency. He is described as the architect of US engagement in Vietnam. He advocated for the military buildup in Vietnam and increased the US funding of Vietnam War.Henry Kissinger Kissinger served as security advisor and Secretary of State during Nixon and Gerald Ford presidency. He was involved in the peace negotiation between the South and Northern in Paris. He also supported Vietnamization policy.Paul Harkins Harkins was Military Assistance Command in Vietnam (MACV) commander. He was convinced that US was winning the war in Vietnam while, in reality, many US soldiers were dying in the battle field.General Creighton Abrams Creighton was the Commander of American forces in Vietnam between 1968 and1972. He was responsible for implementation Vietnamization policy as the commander.
References
Hastedt, G. P. (2004). Encyclopedia of American foreign policy. New York: Facts On File.
