ApexNews
Return to Main
Book

Westmoreland's War: Reassessing American Strategy in Vietnam

2015

Synopsis

General William C. Westmoreland has long been derided for his failed strategy of "attrition" in the Vietnam War. Historians have argued that Westmoreland's strategy placed a premium on high "body counts" through a "big unit war" that relied almost solely on search and destroy missions. Many believe the U.S. Army failed in Vietnam because of Westmoreland's misguided and narrow strategy

In a groundbreaking reassessment of American military strategy in Vietnam, Gregory Daddis overturns conventional wisdom and shows how Westmoreland did indeed develop a comprehensive campaign which included counterinsurgency, civic action, and the importance of gaining political support from the South Vietnamese population. Exploring the realities of a large, yet not wholly unconventional environment, Daddis reinterprets the complex political and military battlefields of Vietnam. Without searching for blame, he analyzes how American civil and military leaders developed strategy and how Westmoreland attempted to implement a sweeping strategic vision.

Westmoreland's War is a landmark reinterpretation of one of America's most divisive wars, outlining the multiple, interconnected aspects of American military strategy in Vietnam-combat operations, pacification, nation building, and the training of the South Vietnamese armed forces. Daddis offers a critical reassessment of one of the defining moments in American history.

Suggested Reading

Westmoreland: The General Who Lost Vietnam

"Westmoreland: The General Who Lost Vietnam" by Lewis Sorley is a critical biography that examines the life and military career of General William C. Westmoreland, focusing on his role as the commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968. The book argues that Westmoreland’s leadership was a ...

View Details

A Soldier Reports

A Soldier Reports by General William C. Westmoreland, published in 1976 by Doubleday, is a memoir that intertwines the author’s military career with a detailed account of the United States’ military involvement in the Vietnam War, where he served as commander of U.S. forces from 1964 to 1968. The bo...

View Details

Latest News

February 28th, 2024

Vietnam War: Was There Anyway the U.S. Military Could Have Won?

We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you accept our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.