Local vets remember General Westmoreland
Soldier led U.S. troops in Viet Nam
Mid-Michigan — (07/19/05)--
Mid-Michigan veterans are pausing to remember the man who led American troops in Viet Nam. General William Westmoreland died last night at the age of 91.
As commander of U.S. forces in Viet Nam from 1964 to 1968, General William Westmoreland oversaw the introduction of ground troops to Viet Nam and a dramatic increase in the number of U.S. troops there.
Hal Coleman, of Flint, remembers carrying some boxes in Viet Nam when he spotted the general headed his way in a Jeep. "I saw the four-stars on the license plate, so I just dropped what I had and came to attention and saluted him," he recalled.
Others met him when he visited Flint on Armed Forces day in 1993. "He was a very down to earth person. I spoke with him numerous times about the place I was stationed in Viet Nam. He had been there several times," said Paul Dieterle, who provided security for the general.
In fact, when General Westmoreland visited Flint that year, he said Buicks were his favorite cars.
John Freeman spoke with General Westmoreland. "I got to talk with him. See what the man's really all about. I was very, very proud to meet him. A man of honor and a lot of history. Good humor."
"It's very interesting to meet someone that intelligent and commanded that much respect. You don't get to be a four-star general unless you've got something upstairs. A very interesting man. Very much a soldier," added Bill Smith, of Grand Blanc.
Other Viet Nam vets say when you consider the Johnson administration restrictions placed on Westmoreland, he performed admirably. "I think he did a good job. I think he did as good a job as anyone could do under the circumstances," said Gary Ewell, of Richfield Township.
"He was very gracious to all branches of the service. And two words to sum it up: American patriot," added Dave Duckworth.
General Westmoreland will be buried at West Point Military Academy.
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