The Vietnam War: Was it Necessary?

2015-02-12T03:30:49-05:00

Vietnam was the longest war in American history and the most unpopular American war of the 20th century. It resulted in nearly 60,000 American deaths and in an estimated 2 million Vietnamese deaths. Even today, many Americans still ask whether the American effort in Vietnam was a sin, a blunder, a necessary war, or whether it was a noble cause, or an idealistic, if failed, effort to protect the South Vietnamese from totalitarian government.

Summary:

Between 1945 and 1954, the Vietnamese waged an anti-colonial war against France, which received $2.6 billion in financial support from the United States. The French defeat at the Dien Bien Phu was followed by a peace conference in Geneva. As a result of the conference, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam received their independence, and Vietnam was temporarily divided between an anti-Communist South and a Communist North. In 1956, South Vietnam, with American backing, refused to hold unification elections. By 1958, Communist-led guerrillas, known as the Viet Cong, had begun to battle the South Vietnamese government.

To support the South's government, the United States sent in 2,000 military advisors--a number that grew to 16,300 in 1963. The military condition deteriorated, and by 1963, South Vietnam had lost the fertile Mekong Delta to the Viet Cong. In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson escalated the war, commencing air strikes on North Vietnam and committing ground forces--which numbered 536,000 in 1968. The 1968 Tet Offensive by the North Vietnamese turned many Americans against the war.

The next president, Richard Nixon, advocated Vietnamization, withdrawing American troops and giving South Vietnam greater responsibility for fighting the war. In 1970, Nixon attempted to slow the flow of North Vietnamese soldiers and supplies into South Vietnam by sending American forces to destroy Communist supply bases in Cambodia. This act violated Cambodian neutrality and provoked antiwar protests on the nation's college campuses.

From 1968 to 1973, efforts were made to end the conflict through diplomacy. In January 1973, an agreement was reached; U.S. forces were withdrawn from Vietnam, and U.S. prisoners of war were released. In April 1975, South Vietnam surrendered to the North, and Vietnam was reunited.

Consequences

1. The Vietnam War cost the United States 58,000 lives and 350,000 casualties. It also resulted in between one and two million Vietnamese deaths.

2. Congress enacted the War Powers Act in 1973, requiring the president to receive explicit Congressional approval before committing American forces overseas.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 12 at 2015 5:04 AM

2015-02-12T05:04:57-05:00

Is any "war" necessary? Although we as a population use the term war it was a conflict and I know some may get mad at me for saying that but the last time the American government declared war and went to war was World War II. Since 1945 we have fought in several conflicts and battles but not a war.

In my opinion Vietnam was the first conflict/war that was fought on national television and in chairs in Washington D.C. and had these two pieces allowed the military to carry out what they wanted to do I believe the outcome would have been different.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 6:10 AM

2015-02-12T06:10:14-05:00

Actually, Viet Nam was not a 'War' in the same sense as WWI and WWII. It was a conflict as Congress never declared war on North Viet Nam. And President Truman never sought a formal declaration of war against North Korea. So contrary to popular belief, the 1950 to 1953 conflict here on the Korean peninsula was classified a 'Police Action'.

But to answer your question. Who knows for sure? In my opinion, looking back at Afghanistan and Iraq we could ask the same question and it appears that if there were any lessons to be learned from Viet Nam we damned sure failed in that department.

Now don't think for one damned second I'm trivializing the sacrifices my brothers and sisters in arms have paid over the past 13 years. My beef is with those 'arm chair' Generals and politicians wearing the Generals stars that sit up on that damned hill in Washington, DC and saddle us with so many ROE's that we have to ask permission to piss. Plus, when you have an enemy that fights when 'they' want to, blends in and uses the local populace and doesn't think twice about sacrificing innocent civilians for their cause as the insurgents, Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army done it's impossible to 'win' even with our technology.

So was Viet Nam worth it? Again, who knows?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 6:13 AM

2015-02-12T06:13:46-05:00

There's a great Vietnam documentary currently on Netflix. I believe it's called "Inside the Vietnam War". Extremely powerful interviews with people who served there.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 7:26 AM

2015-02-12T07:26:10-05:00

I think SGT Jim Z. makes a fair statement on whether any "war" is necessary.

What is necessary is supporting your allies and really that's what the Vietnam war (I call it war because fricking war is war regardless if it's declared) boiled down to, the United States supporting our French allies.

The military will follow the orders it receives from it's civilian bosses. We really have no say in that we just follow orders. Unfortunately war is human nature, we are just about the only animals that kill each other for no clear purpose.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Feb 13 at 2015 9:48 PM

2015-02-13T21:48:45-05:00

Vietnam, as all wars are necessary, how else could the rich get richer if not by investing into products used in war, and I'm not even going to mention the politicians.....WOW!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 13 at 2015 9:59 PM

2015-02-13T21:59:42-05:00

Not even the longest US armed conflict any more.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Feb 13 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-02-13T22:17:14-05:00

You DAMN right it was worth fighting! If we had not fought the Vietnam War all of southeast Asia would belong to the Communist. I would do again in a heartbeat. I lost alot of good shipmates to the Vietnam War and part of my soul is still there. If we did it again I pray we would do the right way.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-08-01T13:10:25-04:00

No lost war has ever been necessary. It's an all in or all out thing, if you are not committed to victory stay out of the war.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 2 at 2015 2:53 AM

2015-08-02T02:53:31-04:00

No. We lost too many men and women. It was a war not worth fighting.

Response by James Dattler made Apr 3 at 2017 9:06 AM

2017-04-03T09:06:15-04:00

people ask was it a necessary war and most say no but they say that because we didn't win if we won it would have been looked at as a necessary war such as wwII

Response by Joseph Huebner made Jan 24 at 2018 3:32 PM

2018-01-24T15:32:01-05:00

Vietnam was an absolutely brutal conflict; with that being said, those men and women who served were fighting for the freedom of another people. So yes, it was necessary. They were doing a good thing, and I thank all those who served because you guys are truly amazing people.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 24 at 2018 3:50 PM

2018-01-24T15:50:50-05:00

No it wasn't. A million Pro French Vietnamese were resettled in the south on top of the locals AND put in power. This destroyed the existing power structure. Everyone was pissed, religious groups, ethnic groups and political opponents. The people in the south didn't want our "Protection"

I am a Vietnam Veteran, it doesn't matter who I fight, I don't have to like them

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Jan 24 at 2018 6:00 PM

2018-01-24T18:00:35-05:00

PV2 Daniel Shipley A great piece of informative history on the Vietnam War. Although the War on Terror has resulted in far less causalities thank GOD. It will go down as the longest war to date in Afghanistan. To answer your question about was the Vietnam War necessary I surely couldn't answer that. However many that served there have missed opinions. I guess the bigger question can future wars be avoided? Thanks for sharing.

Peace!

Response by 1SG Klayton W. Hayes made Jan 24 at 2018 6:17 PM

2018-01-24T18:17:35-05:00

Yes, President Johnson's wife had a controlling interest in Pacific Architect and Engineers. Follow the money old soldiers, just follow the money. We also had to protect The Michelin Rubber Plantations.

Response by Lala Magnifique made Apr 9 at 2018 8:24 PM

2018-04-09T20:24:52-04:00

You'll have to ask the vets at the VA Hospitals, I did:

"The gov sends the poor to kill the poor."
"Lady, I've been a double amptee since I was 20-years-old. Veterans Day is not a happy day to me."
"Was the gov thinking of us when they sprayed Agent Orange knowinly that it was highly toxic. Yeah, how many of us had to die before the gov finally admitted that it was the cause of what us guys contacted."
"I went in young strong and wanting to fight for my country. I came back broken. I've been here (VA Hosp) since 7a. It's now 3p, and still haven't been called to see doc."
"My wife left me, I don't blalme her, because, thinking I was still in Nam, would literally wake up at night and attack her. It's called PTSD. I left Nam, but Nam didn't leave me."
"My advise: Fight for your country, defending your country, in your country."
"I wish my name was on that wall."

I had asked several vets if they thought WWII was worth the fight, all did. I also asked if they knew what the Nam war was about. Some thought fighting to resist communism, and protecting our country from it. I asked if they knew now: "money and politics."

I personally lost one cousin, and one childhood friend. Five of my male family members contacted AO. Because of it, one has since passed away.

http://www.americansc.org.uk/online/Forum/Vietnam_War.htm

Vietnam_War.htm

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 9 at 2018 9:32 PM

2018-04-09T21:32:42-04:00

A war to support Allies or stop the advance of Communism taking over the entire SE Asia, threatening Japan, Philippines and Australia. 1st advisor were the in 52, 1st KIA in 54 I think. Causalities- check your wars- over 214k in our Civil War, 53K in WWI, 291K in WWII. We lost 58+k, what was the total population of SE Asia? The Pathet Lao murdered an estimated 250K of their own people in taking the country over in the Plain of Jars. We did not lose Militarily- we lost politically- their own Generals side that they would lost if we kept the pressure up. The Tet Offensive literally destroyed the VC, forcing their attacks to be taken over the Regular Army units. We could not find a SVN leader, who either didn't loot the country or who didn't hate all the other factions. NVN just executed their factions. As for necessity- who knows since 1776 we have lost over 667K service members- has it been worth it? If you don't fight for something- you die for nothing.

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 8:45 AM

2020-09-29T08:45:14-04:00

I think it was needed to join becuase at that point of time any war effected America either indirectly or directly and we had to get involved

Response by Cpl Bernard Bates made Oct 27 at 2020 3:25 PM

2020-10-27T15:25:10-04:00

The Vietnam war was necessary because it stopped communism from spreading in Asia. The Problem was LBJ tried to run the war from the white house, even having sand tables set up so he could make decisions on the battlefields. The biggest political problem was the draft. All the draft age people could see, was going to Vietnam to get killed. The casualty rate became so high that the American people wouldn't support the war. As the war kept grinding along they started blaming the veterans coming home. Thats why the military went to all volunteer Personel in all branches of the Military. We would not be In iraq or Afghanistan today if we had a draft. Since the casualty rate is low and less than 1% of americans are in the Military nobody cares except the families of personel in the service. I believe a lot of veterans care also. I am a Vietnam Veteran Semper Fi.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Nov 11 at 2020 2:55 PM

2020-11-11T14:55:05-05:00

I make it very simple, all our soldiers who were KIA, WIA, or MIA went to Vietnam without questioning it, they just followed orders like I did. In hindsight, our politicians or our civilian government leaders with no military experience made a big mistake sending us to Vietnam. If you look at the Vietnam historical data, they have never lost a war. It was clear from the beginning that a victory in Vietnam was likely out of reach from the beginning. In fact, a consensus from among professional historians stated that a war with Vietnam was unwinnable. They have never lost a war, they knew their country very well and were ready to lose any amount of combatants to get the US military and our allies out of their country. We lost 58,220 men for nothing but as soldiers, we followed orders! They were and still are a determined people and have been since the Thuc Dynasty going back to 257 before Christ.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 17 at 2020 7:53 AM

2020-11-17T07:53:46-05:00

We never should have gotten involved in Vietnam! The domino theory was inaccurate!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 17 at 2020 8:01 AM

2020-11-17T08:01:34-05:00

The President received inaccurate accounts in assessing the War. Both the generals and bean counter Mc Namara were wrong! They discovered that when General Abrams took command! Pretty stupid of us to make General Westmoreland Army Chief of Staff!

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Nov 17 at 2020 8:04 AM

2020-11-17T08:04:54-05:00

Our leaders in Washington could not measure the will to win of the Vietnamese every time we destroyed something they rebuilt it soon thereafter!

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Nov 17 at 2020 12:34 PM

2020-11-17T12:34:36-05:00

When did we really get involved in what became the Viet Nam War?

The United States did covertly participate in the battle [Dien Bien Phu}. Following a request for help from Henri Navarre, Radford provided two squadrons of B-26 Invader bomber aircraft to support the French. Following this, 37 American transport pilots flew 682 sorties over the course of the battle.[6] Earlier, in order to succeed the pre-Điện Biên Phủ Operation Castor of November 1953, General Chester McCarty made available twelve additional C-119 Flying Boxcars flown by French crews.[6]

Two of the American pilots, James McGovern, Jr., and Wallace Buford, were killed in action during the siege of Điện Biên Phủ.[118] On 25 February 2005, the seven still-living American pilots were awarded the French Legion of Honor by Jean-David Levitte, the French Ambassador to the United States.[6] The role that the American pilots played in this battle had remained little known until 2004.

Are the names of James McGovern, Jr. and Wallace Buford on the "Wall"?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Nov 24 at 2020 8:11 PM

2020-11-24T20:11:33-05:00

I think we went in there with relatively good intentions but then politics got involved and we were not allowed to do our job as needed. That is when it became a worthless war that lasted far longer than it should have. We lost 58,000 troops, many of which didn't want to be there in the first place but had no choice. Hundreds of thousands of others are still suffering with the effects of PTSD, agent orange, permanent damage to their bodies (physical and mental) and a whole slew of other problems. Was it really necessary? I don't know. We may think we know but in all reality don't because we don't really know ALL the reasons we got involved to begin with.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Dec 8 at 2020 10:28 PM

2020-12-08T22:28:15-05:00

In studying history of that period, the Vietnamese people didn't want a foreign government setting laws and policy for them. They were pushing France out and then the US got involved and things went south from there. Was the war in Viet Nam necessary? I suspect it was only necessary to the CIA.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Dec 9 at 2020 5:00 PM

2020-12-09T17:00:28-05:00

Daniel, the meaning of casualties means killed or wounded in action. The number of of soldiers wounded in Vietnam were 304,000 and the number of soldiers killed/recovered MIA were 58,220 according Federal Government supported statistics in July 2019 with another 1,587 US military still unaccounted for and presumed dead. That makes the actual account KIA 60,007. The civilian death count in Vietnam were estimated at two million from the North and the south and another 1.1 millions NVA and VC killed in battle.
The attempt to start the peace talks started in 1968 were due to US citizens demonstrating against the Vietnam War to include John Kerry!! It was just that an attempt but our government kept sending thousands of soldiers to Vietnam. In fact, the numbers of soldiers peaked in 1968 after President Johnson approved the increase of US military to over a half million.
The question to be asked here is, why the hell did we get involved in the Vietnam War??? The simple answer, they were afraid that communism would spread to South Vietnam which was being run by a corrupt administration. So what the hell what were we doing in Vietnam?? Were we really fighting a war to save South Vietnam?? Definitely not, our men were used as a sacrifice to fight a war we would never win. Yes, we won almost all the battles but if you check the history of Vietnam, they have never lost a war. Vietnam, during the 3rd millennium BC through thousands of years, wars played a great role in shaping the identity and culture of a very determine people. Remembering the Nam 65-67!

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Dec 21 at 2020 3:23 AM

2020-12-21T03:23:24-05:00

Delete this

Response by LTC Raymond Buenteo made Dec 21 at 2020 8:51 AM

2020-12-21T08:51:31-05:00

No war is necessary. Civilian leadership make them an option.