General William Westmoreland: An Astounding South Carolinian, Patriot

Aiden Elder 8/26/17
General William Westmoreland
General William Westmoreland was an astounding South Carolinian, Patriot, and Four Star General.
William Westmoreland was born near Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1914. Since the day he was born he had military influence. His ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and fought with the Confederacy during the Civil War. After graduating from high school, William went to The Citadel. He then was asked to go to West Point in New York. He graduated West Point in 1936.
Intrepidly, William Westmoreland fought during World War II. He fought in North Africa and Sicily. He gradually moved up the ranks and became the chief of staff of the U.S. Army’s Ninth Division while in Germany. After

World War II, he continued to serve in the United States’ Military. He commanded the 187 Airborne Regimental Team while in Korea. Later he left Korea to work in the Pentagon in 1953.
In 1964 William Westmoreland became a Four Star General and took command of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam. The U.S. Military at that time was just aiding South Vietnam on their fight against the communist North Vietnam. There were around 16,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam. However, on August 2, 1964 the USS Maddox was pursued by and damaged by three North Vietnamese’ submarines. This caused a domino effect which led President Lyndon B. Johnson to drastically increase troop quantities in Vietnam. The amount of troops in Vietnam grew to a incredible 500,000. These Men were led by General William Westmoreland. In 1969, when the casualty rate in Vietnam kept rising, hope of victory kept falling. When Westmoreland requested another 200,000 more troops President Lyndon B. Johnson Declined. He moved William Westmoreland out of Vietnam and back into the United States. William Westmoreland was appointed the U.S. Army’s Chief of Staff.
William Westmoreland resigned from the Army in 1972. He served and protected the American people for forty-one years. He moved back to South Carolina. Sadly, on July 18, 2005 he died. He was a loyal soldier and a Four Star General.