Ok I'm writting a story that takes place during the beginning of the vietnam war, and i need as much information as you possibly can give me about the beginning of the war (Battles, famous generals, etc.)
2007-12-26 11:44:17 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
September 1950--US President Harry Truman sent the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) to Vietnam to assist the French in the First Indochina war. Not combat troops. Only to supervise the use of $10 million worth of US military equipment to support the French in their effort to fight the Viet Minh forces.
1954-- (Eisenhower administration) the commanding general of French forces in Indochina, General Henri Navarre, allowed the United States to send liaison officers to Vietnamese forces.
France was forced to surrender the northern half of Vietnam and to withdraw from South Vietnam by April of 1956.
12 February 1955-- agreed that all U.S. aid would be funneled directly to South Vietnam and that all major military responsibilities would be transferred from the French to the MAAG under the command of Lieutenant General John O'Daniel. The MAAG mission was increased to 740 men by the end of June.
President Diem, of South Vietnam, was reluctant to allow American advisers with Vietnamese tactical units. He was afraid that the United States would gain control or influence over his forces if Americans got into the ranks of the army.
1961-- communist guerrillas were becoming stronger and more active. This increased enemy contacts in size and intensity throughout South Vietnam. Becomes clear that the terms of the Geneva Agreements regarding territorial boundaries were not going to be abided by.
1961-- (Kennedy Administration) increased the U.S. military commitment in both equipment and men. Aid increased from $50 million per year to $144 million for 1961. At the same time President Diem agreed to the assignment of advisers to battalion level. This significantly increased the number of advisors.
1964 -- MAAG merged into the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV), the number of advisors rose from 746 in 1961 to over 3,400.
At the peak of the war in 1968, 9,430 Army personnel acted as advisors down to the district and battalion level to train, advise and mentor the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps, Republic of Vietnam Navy and the Vietnam Air Force.
MAAG, Indochina had three commanders: Brig.Gen. Francis G. Brink, October 1950-August 1952; Maj.Gen. Thomas J. H. Trapnell, August 1952-April 1954; and LtGen John W. O'Daniel, April 1954-November 1955. MAAG, Vietnam was commanded by Lt.Gen. Samuel T. Williams, November 1955-September 1960; Lt.Gen. Lionel C. McGarr, September 1960-July 1962; and Maj.Gen. Charles J. Timmes, July 1962-May 1964.
2007-12-26 12:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by RTO Trainer 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Start with JFK, take quite a while with LBJ, and end it with Nixon and that should cover it. The music would be the Doors, Bob Dylan. The beetles didn't really get involved in the anti war crowd. The 60's were an abundance of real happening. This generation is practically asleep in comparison. Way too much to cover on here if you want to mix the war with the political climate and the culture of that time.
2007-12-26 19:51:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Helen told me that many S. Vietnamese had family that were VC yet at holiday's they would still get together. Her Brother in Law was an ARVN Officer and had cousins that were VC. She said he would be leading his men against VC on Friday. Have a family get together with VC present on Sunday and go back to fighting them on Monday. This was in the mid 60's.
The first link is a very good time line.
The 2nd is The 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) The first US Army Combat Troops to arrive in May 1965.
The 3rd is The 9th MEB (Marine Expeditionary Brigade). They came ashore in March 1965. They were the 1st US Combat Troops.
2007-12-26 21:42:22 · answer #3 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whilst RTO Trainer's cronology is impressive (I will leave it unchallenged and unverified), as a jarhead I take personal umbridge that he doesn't mention the green machine - not once! I was there starting in 1967. My buddy who got me to enlist had been killed long before I arrived. It wasn't only the doggies RTO!
2007-12-27 10:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Sp II Guzzi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here is a link to find the answers, there are far too many to post here. Hope this is of help
http://www.vietnamwar.com/
2007-12-26 21:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by Sgt Big Red 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋