USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -William Childs Westmoreland (March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005) was a United States Army general, most notably commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972.

Detailed explanation-2: -The New York Times reports that General Westmoreland has requested an additional 206, 000 U.S. troops for Vietnam to reinforce the over 500, 000 service people already there, and that administration officials are divided over the request.

Detailed explanation-3: -Westmoreland’s request sparked a debate within the Johnson administration. On this day in 1965, Gen. William Westmoreland told President Lyndon B. Johnson that the Communist insurgency in South Vietnam could be defeated if an additional 44 battalions of U.S. combat troops were placed under his command.

Detailed explanation-4: -William Westmoreland (March 26, 1914 – July 18, 2005) served as the commander of the U.S. Military Assistance Compound, Vietnam (MACV) from 1964 until 1968, overseeing all American forces in Vietnam during the escalation period of the conflict.