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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 1970)
Reasons behind dissent: The rise and stumble of Westmoreland by MICK MORIARTY Nebraskan Staff Writer (Editor's Note: General William C. Westmoreland has been out of the news limelight for over a year. This artiicle recalls some of the vital facts of the general's career and in volvement in South Vietnam. It partially explains why University students have organized dissent activities for this weekend.) Many American men have made important decisions con cerning the role of the U.S. in Vietnam. When University of Nebraska students protest this Friday and Saturday, they will be directing their dissent at one of these American men. His name: William C. Westmoreland, Army Chief of Staff and former commander of American military forces in Vietnam. In 1968, President Johnson awarded Gen. Westmoreland the second oak leaf for his Distinguished Service Medal. At that time, Secretary of the Army, Stanley Resor, was quoted as saying that due to the leadership of Gen. Westmoreland.the U.S. was on "the threshold of complete success." The Nebraska Union Foreign Film Society 1970-1971 Tickets Now on Sale Union Lobby Residence Hails $8.24 Student, Faculty Staff $9.27 Non-U. of N. Student $11.22 Patron I HAVE f JOT YET mm (ANOTHCftN PAIR, SHf) JOHtlVAUL TOMES DEFEATS THE H.M.S. SERAPIS SIPTEAABCR. ZZtJ79. For YOUR History Making Pants, Shop AT THE NOW at 13th & R St. OPEN NIGHTS 'til 10! (Monday Through Friday) Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In response to those words, Westmoreland said his forces had "denied to the enemy a battlefield victory" and "ar rested the spread of Com munism in South East Asia." Long-time Pentagon critic and newspaper columnist, Drew Pearson, suggested in February of 1968 that Westmoreland owned his military survival, at least partly, to the Congressional power of two fellow South Carolinians, Republican Senator Strom Thurmond and House Armed Services Com mittee Chairman L. Mendel Rivers. Gen. Westmoreland directed the buildup of U.S. forces in Vietnam from 235,000 men in early 1965 to more than 550.000 men in 1968.' It was also Westmoreland who conceived the tactic of dispatching large numbers of troops into jungle wastelands on "search and destroy" missions. But the general never faced severe criticism until the Tet offensive of February, 1968. One war correspondent wrote: "The time that Westmoreland was purchasing with American's blood and treasure was not on his side. As the war dragged on and the toll rose to 24,364 dead, support for the war shriveled in the U.S." Shortly after the Tet of fensive, Gen. Westmoreland requested 206,000 more troops be sent to Vietnam. But the troops didn't go to Vietnam. mm so QdODORJ Instead Gen. Westmoreland was relieved of his command in the spring of 1968, exactly one week after Robert Kennedy announced his candidacy for the Presidency. President Lyndon Johnson had appointed Westmoreland Army Chief of Staff. As one White House cor respondent viewed it, the general was rewarded with "a kick upstairs." Your Nebraskan invites readers' views stamps Mi 6 GREAT CONCERT! WR $6 TOTAL b(uhnrndv!dMTl'ly'0n S"n Sn T'C',, "v,n9 ' s0 vf ric mlUr ticket MARY COSTA Soprano with Orchestra October 13, 1970 LINCOLN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in conctrt January 19, 1971 MISMA DiCHTER Pianist in rtcital March 30, 1971 MARC JOHNSON Cellist with Orchtttra Novembtr 10, 1970 ITZHAK PERLMAN Violinist with Orchestra February 16, 1971 LINCOLN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WITH AUDITION WINNERS April 20, 1971 SEASON TICKET SALES END IN TWO WEEKS. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW ATi Wostbraok Music Halt 9i30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Tho Student Union 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. The Stuart Theqtro 1 a.m. ta 9 a.m. Reserve seats also available. Call 432 5935 or 418 9420. mi PAGE 2 THE NEBRASKAN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1970