Westmoreland: A Biography of General William C. Westmoreland

by Samuel Zaffiri

Just as the Tet offensive came to symbolize America's fated loss in Vietnam, the removal of General William C. Westmoreland as commander of American forces there cast him as the scapegoat for the war's failures. Yet Westmoreland's luminous career prior to Vietnam had promised a command that would quickly establish American superiority. The story of why that did not happen is only one large and compelling chapter in the rich career of one of our most significant modern-day warriors. As he came up the ranks, Westmoreland was one of this century's brightest military prospects. From his family's roots in South Carolina - a family with centuries of tradition in soldiering and service - Westmoreland was born to lead. Author Samuel Zaffiri looks at his schooling, friends, and social life and discovers a boy who was striking in his abilities, drive, and leadership. A small-town boy, he came back from a Boy Scout trip to Europe with a clear vision of his future, and upon reaching adulthood he was a man who faced the difficult decision to buck family tradition by attending West Point instead of The Citadel. Zaffiri explores with wonderful passion and clarity Westmoreland's rapid rise to glory during World War II, his service under General Maxwell Taylor and beside some of the greatest military men of that time, and his push across North Africa and through Europe. After the war Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy saw that he was groomed, with appointments at various schools and as the head of West Point, where he was responsible for turning out several classes of today's military leaders. With his ultimate promotion to commander of American forces in Vietnam, Westmoreland came into his own. Zaffiri offers a significant examination of his tenure in Asia, offering a unique view of the war as seen by the man who led it - sometimes with support, often with his hands tied. And when politics and an impossible situation forced him to step down, Westmoreland continued to contribute

Genres: Military History

Paperback

First published July 1, 1994