You are correct about that, but LBJ only compounded the problem.
“but LBJ only compounded the problem”
Absolutely. In no way did I mean to excuse LBJ. My only intention was to point out Kennedy’s often overlooked role in the Vietnam debacle, the assassination of Diem that he set in motion.
Regarding LBJ, it was his decision to control the war from the White House, to restrict bombing in a fashion that benfited North Vietnam, to fight a strictly defensive campaign that never threatened North Vietnam with conquest.
The combination of LBJ and Robert MacNamara guaranteed thousands of American combat deaths and no chance of ending the war with a victory of any sort.