[RobbyS]

I am reminded of Herman Wouk’s book,” The Winds of War.” and the way that FDR reach down into the ranks and found experiences officers to give him advise. Pug Henry was a composite of several such men. I wonder of Lyndon was capable of employing such men. He seemed to favor sycophants, guys like Bill Moyers.

[oyez]

I seem to remember that during WWII LBJ was awarded the Silver Star on a silver platter, while for for the most part he was a REMF. At one time he worked for Gen. Douglas MacArthur and later hobnobbed with James Forestall. Apparently Lyndon's politics wouldn't work on those guys so he needed some sort of "yes man."

Of course Viet Nam was a mistake to him because he made the mistake of not winning it. Early on the war had great public support and by the Johnson-McNamara system of engagement lost that.

IMHO, The Viet Nam conflict drained the Soviet treasury, therefore robbing them of the ability to build their own defense. The Johnson-Mac team is due given some sort of credit for keeping our strategic military strong. If the USA had decent intel on the USSR at the time I'm quite sure they would have sacrificed a lot of our global ability.