"Lost Battles of the Vietnam War" Topic

"One theme presented by supporters of the American empire is the U.S. military is invincible and can never lose unless stabbed in the back by impatient politicians. They claim the U.S. military never lost a battle during the entire Vietnam war. On August 30, 2011, President Barack Obama proclaimed to a gathering of veterans: "But let it be remembered that you won every major battle of that war. Every single one." Vietnam vet Senator John McCain repeated this lie in a 2013 article in the "Wall Street Journal." This myth was disputed by America's most decorated officer of that war, Colonel David Hackworth, in his book "About Face." The U.S. military had every advantage, yet mistakes were made and battles lost. Internet research turns up these 112 lost battles of the Vietnam war:

1. Battle of Ap Bac – In January 1963, American advisors launched a battle after they pressured reluctant South Vietnamese officers to use American air mobility assets to destroy the Viet Cong. The attack was a disaster in which the VC mauled a far larger force while shooting down five American helicopters (pictured) and damaging eight, while killing three Americans and wounding eight.

2. The Sinking of the USNS Card – This World War II aircraft carrier was later used as a transport for American military cargo. On May 2, 1964, it was moored in a heavily defended harbor in the Saigon River. Two VC commandos crawled down a sewer pipe and attached explosives to the ship. The explosion knocked a huge hole in the hull and killed five American crewmen, causing the ship to sink 45 feet to the river bed….."
Main page
g2mil.com/lost_vietnam.htm

Amicalement
Armand

I think the piece which you have decided to post needed to define what is meant by major battle. It seems to me that the majority listed are are either raids (and their sappers were good and scary) or battles where American casualties are given as high but no corresponding VC/NVA casualties are given.There were actions where the little people ate our lunch but precious few would be called major battles. Of course they are all major if you were in them. H

Should be posted on humor page.

Ap bac was not a USA battle. They were advisors with plenty of mistakes to go around but arvn did the vast majority of the fighting

Amen, VCarter!

As Joe mentioned, Ap Bac was NOT an American battle and
the Card was NOT completely sunk. Ferd made some good points as well. That article has been posted before. Not worth further comment.

I also find it interesting that, in most cases, NVA/VC losses are not listed.

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!.

Amicalement
Armand

"One theme presented by supporters of the American empire is the U.S. military is invincible and can never lose unless stabbed in the back by impatient politicians.

This first line told me this author was at the very least is very biased.