Johnson’s War

1. Johnson’s War 1963-1968

2. Americanizing the war in Vietnam • Militarizing the American embassy -sent General Taylor as US Ambassador to Vietnam • General William Westmoreland takes over military operations in Vietnam -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

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

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

5. 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. 70% of supplies received from 1200 mile coast of Vietnam American Strategy

6. Let the games begin – Operation Starlite

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

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

13. LZ Baldy

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

15. Pleiku

16. LZ X-Ray

30. The battle is over!

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

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

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

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

35. Operation Junction CityFeb. 1967 • Only parachute drop during Vietnam • NVA/VC initiated attacks at night • Suffered heavily because US backed by artillery and tanks • US used beehive units 8,000 steel fleshettes • NVA/VC - 2,700 killed • US – 300 killed

37. Operation Thayer IIFeb. 1967 • Used large amounts of Napalm • Killed 1700 VC and dislocated 17,000 peasants

39. Westy goes to Congress • Military is convinced that attrition is working • Must convince American people • Westy goes before Congress, Nov. 1967 • Says, “we’re winning the war”