“their leaders could not achieve victory or perhaps even define it.”
My dad flew Phantoms out of Da Nang for all of 1970. For the rest of his life, virtually his only comment on Vietnam was, “they wouldn’t let us win“, and he placed the blame squarely on military leadership, which was a bunch of political animals motivated by ambition.
Colonel, USAF JAGCR (Ret)
“they wouldn’t let us win“
No kidding! I was there from ‘66 - ‘72. Civilian Contractor (IBM).
The $$$ was flowing to the MIC & politicians who had links to “support” entities. AB&T and USAID immediately come to mind. Millions a day were ripped off. And most got away with it.
My dad was there 64 & 65 and he had the same comment. Ever since then our military have been hamstrung due to ROE and JAG threatening punishment.