March 2nd...this day in history.....

[Grand Torino]

The Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign began on March 2, 1965, partly in response to a Viet Cong attack on a U.S. air base at Pleiku. The Johnson administration cited a number of reasons for shifting U.S. strategy to include systematic aerial assaults on North Vietnam.

For example, administration officials believed that heavy and sustained bombing might encourage North Vietnamese leaders to accept the non-Communist government in South Vietnam. The administration also wanted to reduce North Vietnam’s ability to produce and transport supplies to aid the Viet Cong insurgency.

Finally, Johnson and his advisers hoped to boost morale in South Vietnam while destroying the Communists’ will to fight.

U.S. Ground Troops Arrive

The Operation Rolling Thunder campaign gradually expanded in both range and intensity. At first, the airstrikes were restricted to the southern portion of North Vietnam; however, U.S. leaders eventually moved the target area steadily northward to increase the pressure on the Communist government.

By mid-1966, American planes were attacking military and industrial targets throughout North Vietnam. The only areas considered off limits for the bombing raids were the cities of Hanoi and Haiphong and a 10-mile buffer zone along the border of China.

Shortly after the operation began in 1965, Johnson committed the first U.S. ground troops to the Vietnam War. Although their initial mission was to defend air bases in South Vietnam that were being used in the bombing campaign, the troops’ role soon expanded to include engaging the Viet Cong in active combat.

As the North Vietnamese army became more heavily involved in the conflict, Johnson steadily increased the number of American forces in Vietnam.

 

[deerslayer]

Every time some Democrat scoffs at the notion that the Second Amendment prevents a tyrannical government because the US military is so powerful, I point out that the Viet Cong might disagree.  

[DaveTN]

2 hours ago, deerslayer said:

Every time some Democrat scoffs at the notion that the Second Amendment prevents a tyrannical government because the US military is so powerful, I point out that the Viet Cong might disagree.  

I served during that time. I was not in Vietnam, but I am absolutely sure the outcome had nothing to do with how powerful our military was and everything to do with politicians calling the shots Military Commanders should have been calling.

[deerslayer]

And have things changed all that much?

[DaveTN]

39 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

And have things changed all that much?

From Johnson and Nixon to Trump? Absolutely.

I’m pretty sure that Donald Trump is listening to his Defense/Military Commanders. But I could be wrong.