William Westmoreland

Date of Birth: March 26, 1914

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: July 18, 2005

Biography

General William Childs Westmoreland was a prominent United States Army General who played a significant role during the Vietnam War. Born on March 26, 1914, in Saxon, South Carolina, Westmoreland embarked on a military career that spanned over three decades. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1936 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his leadership skills and strategic acumen. During World War II, he served in various capacities, including as a battalion commander in the 9th Infantry Division. Westmoreland is best known for his role as the commander of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. His strategies and tactics, such as the emphasis on attrition warfare, were subjects of both praise and controversy. After his tenure in Vietnam, he served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972. Following his retirement, Westmoreland remained an influential figure, often speaking and writing about military strategies and the Vietnam War. He passed away on July 18, 2005, in Charleston, South Carolina.

5 Interesting Facts about William Westmoreland

1. Westmoreland was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

2. He was Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1965.

3. Westmoreland ran unsuccessfully for Governor of South Carolina in 1974.

4. He was awarded numerous military honors, including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Silver Star.

5. Westmoreland authored a memoir titled “A Soldier Reports,” published in 1976.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Westmoreland

1. “The military don’t start wars. Politicians start wars.”

2. “Without censorship, things can get terribly confused in the public mind.”

3. “We held the line. We stopped the Communist invasion. We built the stand-off.”

4. “Vietnam was the first war ever fought without any censorship. Without censorship, things can get terribly confused in the public mind.”

5. “The Vietnam War was fought in a guerrilla-style warfare. You can’t fight that the same way you fight a conventional war.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by William Westmoreland is not publicly documented, but his wealth was primarily derived from his military salary and later from book sales and speaking engagements.