Sara Beth had requested answers to the following questions. These were my responses to her questions.
1) Do you think the U.S. should have been involved in Vietnam?
At the time of the War, I believed that we should
have been involved. I still today believe that if we sign a treaty with a country,
we have an obligation to honor that treaty. I, however, do not believe we should
ever become involved in any type of war or police action unless we intend to win the
conflict. In other words, let the generals do the fighting and the politicians use
diplomacy in the quest for peace.
2) Do you believe the U.S. should continue to protect smaller or less
developed countries?
If we signed a treaty with a country, we have an
obligation to honor that treaty. If there is a true civil war going on within the
country, we should stay out of it unless Congress chooses one side of the civil conflict
and declares war on the other. Then allow the generals to do their job.
3) Do you feel the U.S. learned any valuable lessons from its experience in
Vietnam?
Yes, if you are going to fight a war then fight it
without giving the enemy any sanctuaries in the surrounding countries.
4) What feelings do you hold about the U.S.'s role and your own personal role in
Vietnam?
I answered the call for my country and I went and
served in Vietnam as a medic and I did the best job that I was able to perform. I
feel that my Country betrayed me by not prosecuting other Americans who committed
treasonous acts in giving aid and comfort to the enemy. My Country also allowed the
enemy to have sanctuaries within their neighboring countries' borders and had no
intentions in allowing us to win the war.
5) Do you think the media reports were exaggerated or wrong?
I think the media is probably accountable for
20,000 Americans deaths in Vietnam. Tet Offensive of 1968 was a total defeat to the
VC and NVA. They would have, in all probability, sought peace shortly after the
defeat if it were not for the yellow journalism of the news media. This
sensationalism added fuel to the student protesters back in the states
and renewed hope to the spirit of the enemy.
6) Do you think the anti-war attitudes at home contributed to America's defeat in
Vietnam?
Yes, I also feel that those students who
protested in America were guilty of treason by giving the enemy a source of hope.
7) What other factors led to America's defeat?
Soldiers in Vietnam should not have been given a 12 month tour of duty. They should have been in for the duration. As soldiers became proficient in their duties they were rotated out. I would say close to 1/2 of the soldier's who were killed had less then 3 months in Country (I did not do any research on this figure. It's just a guess). As soldiers became short (ready to transfer out) they attempted to avoided contact because their remaining time was limited and wanted to leave in one piece. I should note not all soldiers felt this way, but the majority did.
