Continuation of the article “What can the Vietnam War teach us about life.”
So, what was “the correct solution?”
So, what was the solution to the quagmire known as the Vietnam War?
The solution probably any sixth grader could have figured out?
Yes, it was the simple solution; the obvious one.
And, it’s the one the United States finally resorted to after many years of trying to avoid it.
The US tried just about everything else. Then after 10,000 or so days of bombing, shooting, infiltrating, negotiating, regulating, burning, napalming, destroying, killing the US finally resorted to the unthinkable. Yes, they resorted to the simplest and most obvious solution. The solution – that for many years – wasn’t even on the table. It was taboo; forbidden; don’t go there.
What was it?
You already know. It’s basic. It’s downright easy. It’s a no-brainer.
Here it is … the solution to the Vietnam War …
The US simply left Vietnam and went home.
Yup. That’s it. Not complicated. Very simple. And, very obvious.
And, according to my two sources, this was the correct solution all along.
Who says that’s the correct solution?
A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo
As I read the book I could hear Phil almost screaming at me, “We were accomplishing nothing! All our actions and efforts seemed to make things worse! Why are we here? What are we doing? Are we just killing and dying for nothing?”
And, I could see the simple solution coming through as clear as a freshly cleaned pane of glass. Phil was telling us that way back in 1965-66 the war was lost. The guys on the ground knew it. Everyone seemed to know it. But very few people would say it. And, of course the simple solution was to pack up your bags and leave. Just go home.
But, here’s a classic case where the simple solution is just too hard. Not that it’s difficult to carry out but that it’s just too embarassing. And, when something is too embarrassing it automatically becomes too hard.
So, instead of executing the obvious solution – pack up an leave – the US “soldiered on” with a brave face.
After all, how could the US just up and leave?
- We would look like quitters.
- We’d look weak.
- Our allies would have no respect for us.
- The Chinese would take over.
- Our vital national interests are at stake!
- We’ve never lost a war.
- We can take these guys with one hand tied behind our back.
- We can’t lose. Look at the firepower we’ve got. These guys will see our gear and run for the hills!
Over confidence and fear of embarrassment. A deadly combination. And one that lead to the wrong approach. An approach that took the correct solution off the table. It wasn’t even seriously considered.
Yes, it was a big game to see if the enemy would just “behave.” Just do what we say and everything will be alright. No need for all this fighting. Just do what we say and let us avoid embarrassment and then we’ll leave you alone.
And, a lot of people paid a heavy price for this game; this game to avoid embarrassment.
In the end, the game couldn’t last. In the end, the obvious solution, the simple solution, became the only solution left. And, therefore, because it was the only one left it became the default, the inevitable, the irresistible solution.
The United States – in the end – simple up and left Vietnam. That was the final solution.
After many years of trying to avoid it, the US finally resorted to it. And this begs the question … if you were just going to up and leave anyway, why didn’t you do it 10 years earlier?
Yes, I know, this is a very embarrassing question.
For a candid description of this event – the final US withdrawal from Vietnam – I suggest you read Philip Caputo’s account in the Epilogue of his book. He was there. He was a reporter on assignment back to Vietnam in 1975.
A War to “Save Face”
It appears that one of the most embarrassing truths about the Vietnam War is this … the US continued the bombing, the killing, the shooting for a very shallow and self serving reason – simply to save face.
Big assertion I know. But, I didn’t come up with it. My second source did.
In Retrospect by Robert McNamara
Amazing account from the man who seemed to get most of the credit (blame) for the US involvement in Vietnam. So much so, the Vietnam War is also referred to as “McNamara’s War.” McNanamara played a major role in US decision making regarding the Vietnam War. Not surprising since he was the US Secretary of Defense from 1961-1968.
The book was a little difficult for me to read. Basically, because Mr McNamara was essentially saying “sorry” the whole way through. I felt bad for him. I could almost feel the heavy burden he was carrying. After all, who would want to be known as the designer of the US war policy in Vietnam? Who would want to take the credit for that? The blame?
Throughout the book, Mr McNamara states over and over again the same theme. Basically this … “We got it wrong!”
He tells how “we” had opportunities to get out in the early sixties. Get out with some semblance of dignity and honor, but we didn’t. We didn’t take the opportunities. Instead, we kept making the wrong choices; getting in deeper and deeper; into the quagmire known as the Vietnam War.
Essentially, he is telling us the obvious, simple solution – just leave – was the right one. The correct choice. And, it’s the one we should have exercised; the earlier the better.
But, we didn’t. And, the begging question is “why?”
McNamara tries to answer this question. I’m not sure if he succeeds, but the explanation goes on for over 500 pages. If I had to sum up his salient point, I say the primary reason for the US involvement in Vietnam – the “why” – is simply this … the US was trying to save face. That’s it.
Now here’s another embarrassing question … was it worth it?
You mean to tell me the Vietnam War could have been shortened by about 10 years if the US leaders just “got it right?”
You mean the whole thing (or most of it) could have been avoided if the US leaders just had a candid conversation and put all solutions on the table?
Maybe a conversation like this …
Mr President: So, let me get this straight. We’re just in this war (Vietnam) because we’re afraid if we get out, the world will laugh at us?
Staff: That’s right.
Mr President: Are US vital interest at stake?
Staff: Big argument ensues with special interests claiming “Yes.” But, the president and others ask the tough questions to blow away the smoke screen.
Mr President: So, the vital interest argument is really just a cover for us to continue waging war?
Staff: Yes (they’re forced to admit)
Mr President: So, let me ask you, is “saving face” a good reason to continue the war?
Staff: No.
Mr President: Ok, bring the troops home. I’ll announce our withdrawal to the nation tomorrow evening.
I would highly recommend reading this book. Especially, if you want to get a credible, heartfelt and honest perspective on the US involvement in the national tragedy known as the Vietnam War.
Why did they write their books?
Well, no need to wonder. Both authors state why. Let me share their reasons.
“Yet we were wrong, terribly wrong. We owe it to future generations to explain why. I want Americans to understand why we made the mistakes we did, and to learn from them” Robert McNamara
“It (the book) might, perhaps, prevent the next generation from being crucified in the next war. But, I don’t think so.” Philip Caputo
It appears to me they wrote these books so future generations can learn from the tragady known as the Vietnam War.
They’re calling out to us … “Don’t do it! Don’t make the same mistake! Think about what you’re doing!”
Beware of the “vital national interests” argument
I can almost hear Robert and Philip saying to us …
“When you hear specious arguments like, ‘ … vital US interests are at stake … ‘ be careful.” Remember, this was one of the most compelling arguments for continuing the Vietnam War.
Today, it’s not uncommon to hear arguments saying the opposite. ‘ … the Vietnam War was different. Vital US interests were not at stake.’ How come no one was allowed to say this back in the 1960s when the war was raging? How come people who made this very argument back then were ridiculed? If you tried to make this argument back in the mid 60s, you’d have been laughed at, booed and tomato-ed for suggesting such a blasphemous argument!
My how things have changed.
Or have they?
Have we learned anything from the Vietnam War experience?
Today, are we challenging blanket assertions like, “vital US interests at stake?”
Or are we just accepting these assertions at face value? Only, to find out years from now that these so-called vital US interest assertions were wrong? Are we going to be looking back saying the same thing – We got it wrong!
Will future generations read our “sorry” books? Sorry, but we got it wrong. And, then we plead with them to learn from our mistakes?
I hope we don’t have to write our “sorry” books.
Why don’t we just learn from Robert and Philip? They’re talking to us. They’re pleading with us. And, the only question left is this …
Are we listening?
Consider the simple solution
The Vietnam War teaches us a simple life lesson. It’s ok to consider the obvious solution. The one that’s staring you right in the face. It may be ugly to look at, but in the end you will probably be very glad you chose it. It may be difficult to swallow – a bit embarrassing – but in your gut you know it’s the right choice.
So, the next time your looking for a solution to a seemingly perplexing issue and/or problem, consider the obvious solution; the simple one. Leave it on the list. Do not remove it. Make it number one. And, then seriously consider implementing this solution. And, implement it sooner rather than later. The longer you wait the worse things can get. Until you have a situation that’s as absurd as the Vietnam War.