The Ground War

Who am I?

• Average age: 19; the average American soldier in World War II was 26

• Drafted? 25% of soldiers were drafted; 66% of US troops in World War II were

• How many of us were there? 2.6 million in-country; 3.4 million in the region

Chart of troop levels

Why is fighting the VC so difficult?

• Elusive enemy—fight at night, friend or foe?

• Homefield advantage—booby traps, tunnels, knowledge of terrain

Why is fighting the VC so difficult?

• Terrain—highlands, jungles, paddies, villages, major cities, and swamps• Weather—rain, heat

Why is fighting the VC so difficult?

• Their cause makes them resilient

Why is fighting the VC so difficult?

Lyndon Johnson told the nation,"Have no fear of escalation.

I am trying everyone to please.Though it isn't really war,

We're sending fifty thousand more,To help save Vietnam from Vietnamese."

Terms from the front lines…

Terms from the front lines…

• Search and destroy—US and South Vietnamese missions that would attack by land and air. The missions would search for VC and destroy what was left

• Pacification--the relocation of Vietnamese after a search and destroy mission

• Body Count—the number of dead VC; this became the measurer of success but there were problems….

YOU WILL KILL 10 OF OUR MEN, AND WE WILL KILL 1 OF YOURS, AND IN THE END

IT WILL BE YOU WHO TIRE OF IT.

--HO CHI MINH