William Westmoreland was born on March 26, 1914, William C. Westmoreland was the son of a Spartanburg, SC textile manufacturer. Joining the Boy Scouts as a youth, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout before entering the Citadel in 1931. after one year in school, he transferred to West Point. During his time at the academy he proved to be an exceptional cadet and by graduation had become the corps' first captain. In addition, he received the Pershing Sword which was given to the most outstanding cadet in the class.
After graduation, Westmoreland was assigned to the artillery. He had a very successful military career and in 1964 was sent to Vietnam by President Johnson as a deputy commander. While only serving in this position for a few months, he was promoted to the rank of full general. Gen. Westmoreland took command in Vietnam in June 1964 replacing Gen. Paul Harkins. Westmoreland continuously requested for an increase in manpower in Vietnam and President Johnson, who had his own troubles at home, refused to send more troops and finally recalled Westmoreland after he successfully stopped the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in 1968.
Gen. William Westmoreland sued CBS over a TV show showing him in an unfavorable way. He withdrew his libel suit against CBS, but the questions behind the suit are very important, and many of them are still hotly disputed. William Westmoreland died of natural causes at Bishop Gadsden retirement home on 18th July, 2005.
William Childs Westmoreland
March 26, 1914(1914-03-26) – July 18, 2005 (aged 91)
Nickname
Westy
Place of birth
Saxon, South Carolina
Place of death
Charleston, South Carolina
Place of burial
West Point Cemetery
Allegiance
United States of America
Service/branch
United States Army
Years of service
1936 - 1972
Rank
General
Commands held
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment187th Regimental Combat Team
Superintendent of the U.S. Military AcademyXVIII Airborne CorpsMilitary Assistance Command, VietnamChief of Staff of the United States Army
Battles/wars
World War IIKorean WarVietnam War
Awards
Distinguished Service Medal (3)Legion of Merit (3)Bronze Star (2)Air Medal (10)
After graduation, Westmoreland was assigned to the artillery. He had a very successful military career and in 1964 was sent to Vietnam by President Johnson as a deputy commander. While only serving in this position for a few months, he was promoted to the rank of full general. Gen. Westmoreland took command in Vietnam in June 1964 replacing Gen. Paul Harkins. Westmoreland continuously requested for an increase in manpower in Vietnam and President Johnson, who had his own troubles at home, refused to send more troops and finally recalled Westmoreland after he successfully stopped the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in 1968.
Gen. William Westmoreland sued CBS over a TV show showing him in an unfavorable way. He withdrew his libel suit against CBS, but the questions behind the suit are very important, and many of them are still hotly disputed. William Westmoreland died of natural causes at Bishop Gadsden retirement home on 18th July, 2005.
William Childs Westmoreland
March 26, 1914(1914-03-26) – July 18, 2005 (aged 91)
Nickname
Westy
Place of birth
Saxon, South Carolina
Place of death
Charleston, South Carolina
Place of burial
West Point Cemetery
Allegiance
United States of America
Service/branch
United States Army
Years of service
1936 - 1972
Rank
General
Commands held
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment187th Regimental Combat Team
Superintendent of the U.S. Military AcademyXVIII Airborne CorpsMilitary Assistance Command, VietnamChief of Staff of the United States Army
Battles/wars
World War IIKorean WarVietnam War
Awards
Distinguished Service Medal (3)Legion of Merit (3)Bronze Star (2)Air Medal (10)
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