In two recent articles on the Vietnam War (“U.S. alters its attitude on Vietnam,” News, March 13, and “Cohen in Hanoi to heal wounds,” Page 1, March 14), the authors seem to need their memories refreshed. Their statements, “America’s only outright defeat in war . . . ” and ” . . . last U.S. combat forces withdrew from Vietnam in defeat . . . ” go against reason.
Defeat? Since when was America defeated in Vietnam? A defeat involves a surrender. When did we ever surrender to the Viet Cong? When did America ever surrender to North Vietnam? How can it be said that America was defeated in Vietnam when we were not even in the country when South Vietnam capitulated? At the time that we pulled our troops out of Vietnam, we were winning. To say that we–America–lost the war in Vietnam is an insult, a slap in the face, to all the brave American soldiers who fought there.
Let’s put an end, once and for all, to the ridiculous myth that America lost the Vietnam War. America’s record for never having lost a war still stands.
