War, as well as the life styles, tactics and equipment used by the American riflemen in the years

1965 and 1969. Most of the American troops stationed in Vietnam in 1965 were member of the

Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). These specialized advisors were charged with

the training of the South Vietnamese (ARVN) in the use of modern weapons and tactics in an

effort to stop communist aggression from the north.

However, by late 1965 it was becoming clear that ARVN, now called the "ruff-puffs" by

Americans, was ineffective and corrupt. At one point in 1965, President Johnson promised Ho

Chi Minh "unconditional discussions." Meanwhile, the US sent more troops to Vietnam in which

American forces would only try to maintain those areas already under Saigon control. Johnson

hoped a sustained US military presence would make Ho Chi Minh more willing to negotiate.

Opposed to this strategy, General Westmoreland called for more American troops and advocated

"taking the battle to the enemy." By June of 1965, around 75,000 American troops were in

In 1965 Westmoreland began to implement a search and destroy strategy

weapon was not as durable as the M-14 and did not stand up as well to the jungle climate.

toll on the morale of the soldiers. Dry socks were hard to come by in the early years of the war.

increased the circulation of air. It was capable of drying out faster then the all leather boot that it

attrition through search and destroy would work and the Vietminh knew that they should return

utility uniform and replaced it with the jungle fatigue. Made of a breathable cotton blend and

Blouse also had similar problems. the two upper breast pockets, were situated perfectly up and

Some topics in this essay:
WW II, M-16 M-16, Huey Helicopter, North Vietnamese, Chi Minh, Department Defense, Eward Murphythe, Green Giant, Vietcong Westmoreland, Vietnamese ARVN, american troops, chi minh, ho chi minh, ho chi, tonnage bombs dropped, vietnam 1965, troops vietnam, jungle climate, rolling thunder, tonnage bombs, jolly green giant, machine gun, war attrition,