Vietnam War Generals: Ella C.
William Westmoreland
Born in 1913, William Westmoreland is one of the most remembered Generals of the Vietnam War. After completing one year of school Westmoreland joined the West Point Military School. During his time there he proved himself to be an exceptional cadet and leader. By the time of graduation he had become the corps' first captain. He also received the Perishing Swoard, which was given to the most outstanding cadet in the class. After graduating he was assigned to the artillery. During the outbreak of World War 2 Westmoreland he was promoted to take command of the 82nd Airborne Division. At the end of 4the Korean War Westmoreland was temporarily promoted to lieutenant general and put in charge of the Strategic Army Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps. A year later he was transferred to Vietnam as deputy commander and acting commander of the US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.
Creighton Abrams
Born in 1914, Creighton Abrams was also a major player in the Vietnam War. Also graduating from West Point, he was considered one of the great combat officers of World War 2. He also took command of the Military Assistance Command , Vietnam when William Westmoreland left in July 1968. Abrams also launched the Accelerated Assistance Campaign, which committed resources to the controlling Vietnamese countryside. He was also in charge of the Vietnamizaton program.
Vo Nguyen Giap
Vo Nguyen Giap was born in Vietnam in 1912, where he was educated at the University of Hanoi, there he got a doctorate in economics. After leaving there he taught history in Hanoi. Later he joined the communist party and took many demonstrations against French rule in Vietnam. Between 1942 to 1945 he helped organize resistance to the occupying Japanese Army. His tactics and strategy led to the Viet Mihn victory over France and the end of French colonization, and also later the North Vietnamese victory over South Vietnam and the USA.