Author Topic: Vietnam-Era Commander Westmoreland Dies (Read 287 times)

Rafe35 · « **on:** July 18, 2005, 11:01:45 PM »

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obit_westmoreland

rpm · « **Reply #1 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:03:51 PM »

Bodhi · « **Reply #2 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:16:49 PM »

Westmoreland.

My father (who served in Vietnam regarded him highly) and I ~~the man and hope he rests soundly.~~

Hangtime · « **Reply #3 on:** July 18, 2005, 11:29:32 PM »

Served in the 82nd, commanded the 101st. Won every engagement he was in. Kicked Giaps ass, army to army, tho Giap had the numbers and the terrain. He didn't think much of the guy..

"Of course, he [Giap] was a formidable adversary Let me also say that Giap was trained in small-unit, guerilla tactics, but he persisted in waging a big-unit war with terrible losses to his own men. By his own admission, by early 1969, I think, he had lost, what, a half million soldiers? He reported this. Now such a disregard for human life may make a formidable adversary, but it does not make a military genius. An American commander losing men like that would hardly have lasted more than a few weeks."

Which pretty much sums up his Vietnam career.. he fought a different war than Giap did. Westey owned the day, Giap the night.

The guy deserves respect.. he was a soldier.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2005, 01:10:20 AM »

Quote
"I have no apologies, no regrets. I gave my very best efforts, I've been hung in effigy. I've been spat upon. You just have to let those things bounce off."

Jackal1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2005, 08:57:20 AM »

Salute to Westmoreland.
He served his country with honor and pride.

Hawklore · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2005, 12:14:53 PM »

~~A true man to be able to let things said just roll off..~~

Maverick · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2005, 02:31:49 PM »

He served his country as best he could. It isn't his fault that LBJ wouldn't allow the military to prosecute the war.