How did Americans feel about the war in Vietnam?

Answer 1

At the beginning the President of the U.S., had the American people believing that they had to go to war in Vietnam. Why question it? Yes, it was communist. They sent thousands upon thousands of young men and women to Vietnam and each and everyone of them believed they were fighting a war to protect their country. Within time it became clear that Americans should not have entered into this war. John F. Kennedy was in the midst of ending the war and was assassinated and Lyndon B. Johnson took over. Instead of admitting to a war that should have never been entered into, he kept troops over in Vietnam and many more lives were lost. It is said that Lyndon B. Johnson had nightmares about his decision and made him a broken man. The Vietnam War was considered a black blotch on American History and many people just wanted to forget about it.

News from the U.S., didn't reach the troops in Vietnam quickly, and the troops were not aware of the demonstrations going on in their own country against the war. When word did get to the troops there were mixed feelings. Why wouldn't there be! These men were killing (when they really didn't want too) they also were being killed, tortured, maimed and they couldn't face the fact that this war was all for not and that their government would betray them. How do you explain seeing your buddy blown to bits, or how do you explain to yourself that you lost limbs over nothing. This doesn't even touch much of what these men went through .. there was shell shock, suicide, mental disorders from the horrors of this war, alcohol and drug abuse. Universities had sit-ins (anti war) but few really understood or cared what American troops were going through and the media was sure to let everyone know they were baby killers. These Vietnam Vets came back to utter chaos. Jobs were hard to find, they were spat at by many, but also had some sympathizers. Vietnam Vets not only came back with broken bodies, but broken minds and many committed suicide once back at home. They simply didn't fit in anymore. They had nightmares, night sweats, and they faced more people in their communities that had no idea what had happened in Vietnam than those that could understand. Vietnam Vets seemed to have a silent oath not to talk about Vietnam and few retained the friendships they made while over in Vietnam. There are still some groups that Vietnam Vets have created themselves so they can make sense of what they went through (if that is possible.)

This is the first war in the history of America that is not displayed in many war museums throughout the United States, but, that is changing. A life given for one's country (right or wrong) is a life to be honored!