Remembering the Tet Offensive

In a recent conversation I mentioned the Tet Offensive and nobody knew what I was talking about. It seems that most Americans have never heard of it. I lost friends in Vietnam, including a college roommate, and I do what I can to keep their memory alive. For 48 years I have not worked on January 30 to honor those who died in the Tet Offensive which commenced just before midnight on Jan. 30, 1968. Tet is the Vietnamese new year, and both sides had observed an unofficial cease fire the three prior years, but not this year.

The Viet Cong guerrillas and North Vietnamese Army launched a wave of attacks on the morning of Jan. 31 in I Corps and II Corps (the north half of South Vietnam). These early morning attacks were followed a few hours later by a well coordinated attack over the whole length of South Vietnam (more than 900 miles), in which more than 80,000 Communist troops struck more than 100 towns and cities, including 36 provincial capitals and the southern capital (Saigon). The offensive was the largest military operation conducted by either side during the war.

Tet continued at a reduced level until August and was an overwhelming defeat of the communist forces. However, the shock caused by the size and intensity of the operation changed the political outlook and led to a reduction in the war on the part of the U.S. Until Tet the military branches, the Department of Defense, and President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Administration constantly assured the world that victory was just a matter of time by Gen. Westmoreland’s “war of attrition” which called for killing them faster than they could be replaced. Even theman on the street began to question the government. On Feb. 27 President Johnson removed Robert S. McNamara as secretary of defense. On June 9 he replaced Gen. William C. Westmoreland as commander. The president decided not to seek re-election in the face of certain defeat. Public support for the war declined and open opposition grew to the point that military personnel were advised to travel in civilian clothes to avoid being identified. I was confronted by young anti-war demonstrators on more than one occasion and never understood why they hated me.

I believe the Vietnam War was the most troubling event in the 20th century. Certainly the two world wars were bigger, but those wars were not as unpopular and divisive. Vietnam left a scar on America. Formany years veterans did not discuss our service for fear of provoking a confrontation. Now the hatred of veterans is gone but we were never welcomed home in any manner. Middle East veterans returning from a tour in the desert wars are given a welcome home party, with photos in the newspaper. This is probably intended, to a certain extent, to compensate for the way we were treated. I am glad to see our veterans recognized for their service and a conscious effort being made to welcome them home. My generation just came home from war and tried not to bring attention to ourselves.

When I meet another Vietnam Veteran I say, “Welcome home brother (or sister)” and he or she responds, “Welcome home.” (My wife is also a veteran.)

We did not choose to serve. I was drafted out of law school. I think of the war as my senior trip. I spent five years on active duty and 10 years, three months, 16 days in the active reserve. I am proud of my service. Tet imposes a duty on me to do what I can to make sure such an important event is remembered. Over 2.6 million Americans served in that war; 58,303 died and all that remains are their names on a wall in Washington. If you ever get a chance, go to the wall. Nobody can stand there without a lump in their throat. The place is sacred — you can feel it.

Today in History

Today is the 41st day of 2016 and the 51st day of winter.

In 1840, Britain’s Queen Victoria married Prince Albert.

In 1967, the 25th Amendment to the Constitution, establishing presidential succession, was ratified.

In 1996, the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeated reigning world champion Garry Kasparov for the first time in a game of chess.

In 2005, North Korea publicly announced that it had produced nuclear weapons.