Contributing to identify the nature of the American war in Vietnam through the career of General Westmoreland

Abstract

More than half a century has passed since the day America was forced to accept the defeat in the unjust war they waged in Vietnam (1973-2023), but many historical issues about the war remained unresolved. Those are the "gaps" that need to be filled to prevent accidental and intentional distortions by those who were once "insiders" and by those who study the history of the war. General Westmoreland was one of the special figures who held important positions that had a decisive influence on America's strategic planning and war command in Vietnam. Thus, he was one of those who were chiefly responsible for the war, its outcome and its consequences. During and after the war, General Westmoreland made many mistakes, and the biggest mistake was systematic deception about the Vietnam War. Based on reliable historical sources, this article points out Westmoreland's strategic mistakes and unethical lies, thereby helping readers get closer to the nature of the war. Understanding historical truth is paving the way for historical reconciliation in the future.