Book Read Free

Vietnam, An Epic Tragedy

Page 98

by Max Hastings


  Graham, John Filmore, 566, 570

  Graham, Kay, 355

  Graham, Brig. Stuart, 464–5

  Grauwin, Dr (of Dienbienphu), 67–8

  Gray, Gen. Al, 116, 163–4, 647

  Great Leap Forward (China), 103

  Greene, Graham, 46, 95; The Quiet American, 27

  Greene, Gen. Wallace: aggressiveness, 173–4, 178, 182, 195; on size of force necessary for protection, 212; and inter-service rivalry, 222; encourages Johnson, 225

  Griggs, Bruce, 282

  Griggs, Lee, 135

  Gruening, Ernest, 191

  Guam, 561–3

  Guevara, Che, 329

  Guilin Long, Col., 320–2

  guns, 350–3

  Hắc Báo Black Panthers, 412

  ‘Hackle’ (agent), 617

  Hải Châu, 35

  Hai Hoàng (i.e. Nguyễn Văn Điều), 137

  Hai Thuần, 635

  Haig, Lt.Col. Alexander, 334, 496, 499, 502, 516, 555, 557

  Haiphong (Hải Phòng), 287, 288, 291

  Halberstam, David, 112, 133–6, 140, 142, 144, 145, 198, 218; The Best and the Brightest, 121

  Haldeman, H.R., 476, 503, 555, 579

  Hall, Pfc. John, 444

  Hall, John, 459

  Hallocks, Col. Richard, 353

  Halyburton, Porter, 300

  Hammond, William, 414

  Hanchett, Ted, 571

  Hanoi: French leave, 79–80; and US bombing programme, 288–9, 292, 561–9, 572; life under US bombing, 312; austerity, 358, 360; regime changes, 377; British consulate and SIS station in, 485–6; casualties from bombing, 572; celebrates peace settlement, 579; see also North Vietnam

  ‘Hanoi Hannah’ (radio announcer), 364, 424

  Haponski, Maj. William, 444

  Hardwick, Bill, 344

  Hargis, Billy James, 328

  Hargraves, Dave, 261

  Harkins, Gen. Paul: announces start of ground operations, 113; and McNamara’s first trip to South Vietnam, 125–6; optimism, 134; authorises Vann’s actions, 136; untruths over Ap Bac operation, 140–2, 169; contempt for Buddhists, 145; and coup against Diem, 149–51; differences with Lodge, 179; retires, 180

  Harper, Marine Sgt. Ron, 395

  Harriman, Averell: negotiates new Geneva Accords (1962) to neutralise Laos, 111; supports coup in South Vietnam, 146; on government of South Vietnam, 275; on Rostow’s hawkishness, 290; appointed to head peace negotiations, 420; negotiates in Paris, 440, 478, 521

  Harrington, Capt. Myron, 402, 410, 412, 418–19

  Harris, Louis, 418

  Harrison, Lt. John, 264, 392, 402–3, 461

  Harston, Julian, 486

  Harwood, Richard, 337

  Hasluck, Paul, 238–9

  Hatfield, Mark, 484

  Hathcock, Carlos Norman, 264

  Hawkridge, Cornelius, 271

  Hayden, Tom, 330

  Hedren, Tippi, 630

  Heinemann, Ed, 294

  helicopters: extensive use in Vietnam, 240; heroic actions of crews, 525; see also Huey helicopter

  Heller, Joseph: Catch–22, 372

  Helms, Pfc. Michael, 434

  Helms, Richard, 290

  Hepplewaite, CSM, 467

  Herr, Michael, 643

  Herrick, Capt. John, USN, 186–9

  Hersh, Seymour, 448

  Hervouet, Capt. Yves, 68

  Hickey, Capt. Frank, 264

  Hickman, Dan, 242, 471–5

  Higgins, Marguerite, 98, 143, 175, 237

  Hill 224, 598

  Hills battles, 353

  Hillyard, Fred, 346

  Hilsman, Roger, 120, 145, 146

  Hilton, Lt. Judson, 438

  Hồ Chí Minh: birth and background, 5–7; OSS team meet, 9; forms government (1945), 10, 15; charisma and leadership, 11–12, 82, 88, 100; takes control of rural areas, 14; visits Paris (July 1946), 15–16; Leclerc denounces, 16; military strategy, 17; receives Chinese support, 23; witnesses attack on Dong Khe, 25; supports Giap, 27, 71; meets Mao and Stalin, 29; and Dienbienphu campaign, 40, 48; US view of as pawn of China and Russia, 72; and Geneva conference, 75; and partition of Vietnam, 76; accepts Geneva Accords, 79; and repression in North Vietnam, 87; reputation, 88–9; opposes further war, 89; rebuffs Diem, 91; simple lifestyle, 99; favours Russia over China, 103; attempts to mediate between China and Russia, 107; decline, 128, 375, 377; accepts delay to reunification, 147; undefeated on battlefield, 148; and death of Diem, 156; retires from active politics, 156; status, 156; plea for moderation, 167; and attack on Maddox, 192; rejects US peace overtures, 309; flies to Beijing, 376; poem broadcast, 379; Nixon threatens in personal letter, 477; death, 479; embalmed, 481; war aims, 639; Western esteem for, 641

  Ho Chi Minh trail: established, 103; and Laos, 111; increased use, 179, 288; US urges attack on, 195, 198; North Vietnam Army uses, 202–5; rice stockpiled, 202; US attempts to seal off, 278, 334, 495; hazards, 367–8; bombed, 407; traffic returns after Lam Son operation, 503; US bombing ends, 584; operating efficiency, 590

  Hoà Hảo (religious sect), 20–1, 93

  Hoàng Minh Thảo, Lt.Gen., 597

  Hoàng Xuân Lãm, Gen., 276, 497–8, 500, 524

  Hoeffding, Oleg, 325

  Hoffman, Capt. Roy, USN, 492

  Hohler, Harry, 123

  Holcombe, Robert, 329

  Holden, William, 630

  Hollingsworth, Maj.Gen. James, 543

  Holloman, Emmanuel, 261

  Holt, Harold, 462

  Home, Alec Douglas-Home, Baron, 122

  Hòn Gió (island), 185

  Hòn Mê (island), 185–6, 188

  Hòn Tằm (island), 489

  Hood, Capt. Chuck, 249

  Hope, Bob, 200, 247, 512

  House, Lt.Col. Charles, 255

  House 7 (Saigon radio station; ‘Mother Vietnam’), 240

  Hovey, Joseph, 378–9, 383

  Howard, Michael, 122, 226, 281, 631

  Howard, Steve, 396

  Hudson, Maj. Don, 455, 646

  Hue: imperial palace, 3; USIS library pillaged, 208; character, 274; attacked in Tet offensive, 381, 387–92, 410–13; Ky orders attack on, 409; US retain, 412–13; casualties and civilian deaths, 413; battle reported, 414; vulnerability, 537; final North offensive against, 596

  Huey helicopter: practicality in operations, 470–5

  Hughes, Harold, 514

  Hughes, Ken, 478, 583

  Hughes, Richard, 141

  Hull, Col. Milton, 426, 428, 430, 434, 436–7, 439–40

  Humphrey, Hubert, 94, 212, 331, 441, 444, 607

  Hunt, Sgt. Harold, 262–3, 458

  Huntley, Chet, 401

  Huỳnh Công Thân, 398, 421, 623

  Ia Đrăng Valley, 244–6, 336

  Ilinykh, Maj., 316

  India: British accept independence, 14; antagonised by Le Duan and North Vietnam, 129

  Indianapolis News, 134

  Indochina: French rule, 2–5; elections, 14

  Indochinese Communist Party, 6

  International Control Commission, 80

  Iron Triangle, 168

  Isaev, Maj. Petr, 318–19

  Israel: in US–Soviet discussions, 546

  Ito, Kanemitsu, 354

  Jackson State College, Mississippi, 483

  Jacobson, Col. George, 396

  Japan: deploys troops in Vietnam, 7; controls Vietnam after World War II, 9; bombed by US in World War II, 324

  JASON study (US), 325

  Jessel, Georgie, 460

  Johnson, Maj. Allen, 568

  Johnson, Maj. David, 456, 551

  Johnson, Doug, 158

  Johnson, Gen. Harold: as army chief, 180; sent to Saigon, 215; and US troop reinforcements, 222; alarm at special forces’ activities, 244; rebukes DePuy, 255–6

  Johnson, Capt. Julius, 342

  Johnson, Lyndon B.: briefed on Dienbienphu, 60–1; on Diem, 92; visits Vietnam, 112, 120, 277; impressed by Kennedy’s team, 121; and conduct of US policy in Vietnam, 124;
opposes plot against Diem, 151; succeeds Kennedy as president, 154; policy in Vietnam, 155; inherits Vietnam problem, 170–1; Alsop attacks for irresolution, 175; confirmed as president, 176; popular and media support for, 176, 196–8; in election campaign (1964), 179, 194; on South Vietnam’s recovering from assassination of Diem, 183; orders retaliatory attack on North Vietnam bases, 189; eagerness for aggressive action, 190, 226; aims to postpone actions before election, 193; denies intention to send troops to Vietnam, 196; election victory, 196, 198; and George Ball’s dissenting views, 197; indecision over action in Vietnam, 200–1; commits air power to Vietnam, 208, 283–5, 288; and prospect of long war, 211; makes comparison with Churchill, 214; profanity, 215; sends troops to Vietnam, 215, 222; peace offerings to North Vietnam, 219; on Ky’s appointment as prime minister, 221; vacillations and decision over Vietnam, 221–9, 231; determination to proceed in Vietnam, 223; rejects further mobilisation, 223; questions Ball’s pessimism, 225; secures financial appropriation for Vietnam operations, 228; dominates McNamara, 230; changes codename, 254; meets Ky and Thieu in Honolulu, 273; and funding of war, 282; Rostow praises, 287; advances proposals for peace negotiations, 291; limits area of air strikes, 293; caricatured in North Vietnam, 311; attempts humanitarian restraint, 324; domestic criticism of, 327; and anti-war movement, 328; invites Westmoreland on home visit, 355; and Tet offensive, 375, 401; and honouring of Tet truce, 382–3; installs photomural of Khe Sanh, 382; considers using atomic bomb, 406; and Cronkite’s assessment of US failure, 418; announces decision to retire, 419–20, 441; announces cessation of all bombing of North Vietnam, 444; compared unfavourably with Nguyen Van Thieu, 494

  Jones, Sgt. Joe, 428

  Jones, Richard, 566

  Jordan, Elmore, 473

  Jorgensen, Tony, 509

  journalists: in South Vietnam, 133–6

  Juin, Marshal Alphonse Pierre, 52

  Junction City, Operation, 355

  Kalashnikov, Mikhail, 350

  Kattenberg, Paul, 95

  Katzenbach, Nicholas, 179, 220, 290

  Kellen, Konrad, 281

  Kelly, Bob, 115, 388, 412–13

  Kennan, George, 28–9, 274

  Kennedy, Edward, 328, 478, 554, 572

  Kennedy, John F.: visits Saigon, 29; opposes US intervention in Indochina, 61; Eisenhower briefs on Laos, 109; favours opposing communists in Vietnam, 111; sends US personnel to Vietnam, 112, 171; and RAND Corporation, 122; attempts to influence New York Times, 135; and South Vietnam coup against Diem, 146–8, 151; sends McNamara and Taylor to Vietnam, 150; informed of Diem’s death, 153; assassinated, 154, 170; policy on Vietnam, 154–6; legend, 170

  Kennedy, Robert: disbelieves military solution to Vietnam problem, 119–20, 329; and coup against Diem, 151; on McNamara, 175, 282; told of malfunctioning rifles, 354; assassinated, 442; unwilling to advocate US withdrawal from Vietnam, 442

  Kennedy family: opposes war, 327

  Kent State University, Ohio, 483

  Kerrey, Lt. Bob, 488–92

  Kerry, John, 493

  Khê Sanh, 338, 380–3, 391, 405–6, 407–9, 497

  Khmer Rouge, 481–2, 597, 612

  Khrushchev, Nikita S., 89, 120, 242

  Kiều Chinh, see Nguyễn Thị Chinh

  Killen, Sgt. James, 456

  Kim, Eva, 616

  Kim Il-sung, 29

  Kim Loan, 131

  Kim Thanh, 631–2, 634

  Kim Vui, 645

  Kimball, Jeffrey, 583

  King, Martin Luther, 327, 442

  Kinne, Lt. Judd, 250, 340, 354

  Kislitsyn, Col. Yuri, 314, 318

  Kissinger, Henry: and proposed peace negotiations, 291–2; on US intellectuals’ cynicism, 328; on Nixon’s aims in Vietnam, 446; as adviser to Nixon, 475–6, 515–16; believes in using Russians to achieve peace, 477; lies on Vietnamisation policy, 478; negotiations with North Vietnamese, 478, 494–5, 521–2; and incursion into Cambodia, 483; and conduct of war, 484; badly informed on North Vietnam, 485; on Thieu’s administration, 494, 586; and South Vietnamese operation against Laos, 496; on failure of Lam Son 719 operation, 499, 502; and impending presidential election (1972), 503, 516; and US prisoners in North Vietnam, 503; and use of air power, 512, 514; and Lavelle scandal, 515; secret negotiations, 515; ready to accept ceasefire, 516; and US détente with China, 517; and Nixon’s visit to China, 520; meets Le Duc Tho, 521, 536; responsibility for ending war, 522; meets Brezhnev, 533; on dismissal of Abrams, 544; warns Thieu to recapture ground, 549; exchanges with Nixon tape-recorded, 552–4, 557–8, 583; negotiates settlement, 552–60, 578, 583; duplicity, 558; public appearances, 558; proposes further air attacks on North, 559; characterises Nixon, 583; shares Nobel Peace Prize, 583; urges resistance to continuing North Vietnamese military action, 585; on reduced US financing of South Vietnam, 593; lectures colleagues on foreign policy, 596; preoccupation with Middle East, 597; and North Vietnam’s final offensive against South, 607; on fall of South Vietnam, 627; flies to Hanoi, 687

  Klann, Gerhard, 490

  Klein, Lt. Henry, USN, 238

  Knight, Capt. Richard, 507, 511

  Knowland, William, 6

  Koltes, Cmdr. Jim, USN, 212–13, 441

  Komer, Robert (‘Blowtorch’), 253, 277–8, 335, 442–3

  Kontum, 533, 538–9, 599

  Korea: war (1950–53), 29–30, 61, 66, 72; partition, 73, 75; air power in, 284

  Koster, Maj.Gen. Samuel, 449–50

  Kosygin, Alexei, 209, 219, 546

  Krock, Arthur, 141, 210

  Kroesen, Maj.Gen. Fred, 524

  Krohn, Capt. Charles, 391–2

  Krulak, Maj.Gen. Victor (‘Brute’), 112

  Lã Ngọc Châu, 246

  Lacouture, Jean, 364

  Lair, Bill, 109–10

  Laird, Melvin, 475, 477–8, 484, 495, 513–15, 517

  Lam Sơn 719, Operation, 495–502

  Lạng Sơn, 27, 321

  Lang Vei (Làng Vây), 407

  Langguth, Jack, 364

  Langlais, Col. Pierre, 41, 44, 50–2, 54, 58–9, 68–9

  Langley (base), 584

  Laniel, Joseph, 74

  Lansdale, Col. Edward, 80, 92–4, 96–7, 112, 124, 154, 276

  Laos: communist activity in, 37, 110; character and conditions, 109–10; Eisenhower briefs Kennedy on, 109; independence (1953), 109; as supply route, 111, 450; US forces in, 111; fighting in, 178; Abrams forbidden to enter, 450; actions near, 451–2; South Vietnam operation against (Lam Son 719), 495–501; North Vietnamese soldiers leave, 638

  Lashley, L/Cpl. James, 423, 432–3

  Lattre de Tassigny, Gen. Jean de, 25, 30, 36

  Lau, Johnny, 392

  Lavelle, Lt.Gen. Jack, 513–15

  Layton, Gilbert, 184

  Lê Duẩn: released from imprisonment, 14; character, 23, 102; marriage to Nguyen Thuy Nga, 23–4, 102; travels in South Vietnam, 79; aims for reunification of Vietnam, 90, 108, 147; on persecution of communists in South, 101; appointed North Vietnam’s Party secretary, 102; favours China over Russia, 103; dominance, 107, 156; political aims, 108; on population of Laos, 110; objects to patronising Chinese attitude, 128; policy-making in North Vietnam, 128–9, 167; incorruptibility, 148; considers peace negotiations and US exit, 157; and post-Diem regime in South Vietnam, 157; Mao offers aid to, 166–7; mission to Moscow, 167; and attack on Maddox, 192; visits Beijing, 193; hopes for political coup in South, 205; Kosygin argues against escalation, 209; caution over outlook, 242–3; wishes for big-unit showdown, 252; believes in winnability of Vietnam war, 308; administrative success, 314; requests technicians from China, 320; inaugurates Tet offensive, 375–6, 378, 383; claims Tet victory, 420; peace demands, 441; inhumanity, 454; power strengthened after Ho’s death, 479; and Chinese withdrawal of personnel, 486; persistence, 493; independence of Soviets and Chinese, 494; and Soviet support, 517; plans major offensive, 519; and Nixon’s visit to China, 521; rejects Paris Accord terms, 585–6; maintains offensive against South, 591; accepts Giap’s
directing of final offensive, 593; and final offensive against Saigon, 607–8; death, 638; Western esteem for, 641

  Lê Đức Thọ: at Le Duan’s wedding, 23; Le Duan’s close ally, 101; purges undesirables in North, 104; member of pro-Chinese faction that takes over Politburo; mission to Moscow, 167; urges action, 167; and Tet offensive, 375; as COSVN deputy Party secretary, 378; and peace plans, 441; and Chinese withdrawal of personnel, 486; negotiations with Kissinger, 521, 535, 553–4, 558, 560, 578, 583; declines shared Nobel Peace Prize, 583; sets up HQ at Loc Ninh, 613; optimism about final victory, 619; denies imposing communism on South Vietnam, 631; poem on poverty and suffering, 638

  Lê Minh Đảo, Brig., 610–11, 633

  Le Page, Col. Marcel, 26

  Lê Thị Thu Vân, 615

  Lê Trọng Tấn, Gen., 606

  Lê Văn Hưng, Col., 540

  Lê Văn Kim, Gen., 149

  Lê Văn Mễ, Maj., 530

  Leclerc, Gen. Philippe, 16

  Ledoux, Sgt. Jerry, 349

  Lee Kuan Yew, 122, 469

  Lehrer, Tom, 162

  LeMay, Gen. Curtis: aggressiveness, 173–5, 178; on bombing North Vietnam into Stone Age, 283–4; bombing in Japan, 324

  Lennin, Wayne, 605

  Leroy, Sgt., 55

  Leslie, Jacques, 589

  Lewis, James, 612

  Lewis, Norman, 4, 20, 33, 81

  Lind, Michael, 28, 639

  Linebacker, Operation, 544–6

  Linebacker II, Operation, 560–1, 566–73

  Lippmann, Walter, 72, 148, 176, 227

  Liu Shaoqi, 156

  Liuzhou, China, 75

  Livingston, Capt. Jim, 434–7, 439, 526, 608

  Lloyd, John Selwyn, 30

  Lộc Ninh, 376, 539, 613

  Lodge, Henry Cabot: as US ambassador to South Vietnam, 145, 146, 148–51; and murder of Diem, 153; assurances to Minh, 156; Nes advises, 176; replaced, 179, 327; returns to Saigon embassy, 222; disparages Saigon government, 223; refutes Ball, 224; attends folk-music evening, 276; on conduct of war, 419; negotiates in Paris, 521

  Logevalle, Fredrik, 15, 100, 148

  Lon Nol, Gen., 480–1, 556, 612

  Long An, 252, 610

  Long Thành, 620

  Lopez, Sgt. Joseph, 458

  Los Angeles Times, 559

  Luận, Maj., 633

  Luce, Henry, 28, 94, 145

  Lý Tòng Bá, 139, 141, 533, 538–9

  Lý Văn Quang, Col., 239, 549, 635

  Lý Văn Quý, 633–4

  M-1 rifle (US), 351

 

‹ Prev