Video: 'President Lyndon B. Johnson on Vietnam, March 1968 (2 clips)'

(Saturday, March 16, 1968, 10:05 a.m. EST; during the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 1968; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — As U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy was officially announcing on Capitol Hill that he would challenge President Lyndon Johnson for the 1968 Democratic presidential nomination over the Vietnam War, Johnson told the National Alliance of Businessmen today at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Washington: “Make no mistake about it—I don’t want a man in here to go back home thinking otherwise—we are going to win.” Continue reading LBJ: ‘We are going to win’ Vietnam War 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1968) →

Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (The New York Times report at 39:30)

(Sunday, March 10, 1968; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — General William Westmoreland, commander of U.S. forces in Vietnam, has asked for 206,000 more American troops for Vietnam, and the request has touched off a divisive internal debate within high levels of the Johnson Administration, The New York Times reported in today‘s paper, in a story dated Mar. 9, 1968.

President Lyndon Johnson had been briefed on the request on Feb. 28, 1968, and ordered Secretary of Defense-designate Clark Clifford to form a task force to conduct a complete review of U.S. policy in Vietnam, including the new request to increase troops.

Video: 'The President: March 1968. MP894.' (Mar. 1, 1968, at 1:25)

(Friday, March 1, 1968, 12 noon EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — Clark Clifford, a Washington lawyer and adviser to Democratic presidents for two decades, was sworn in today succeed Robert McNamara as the U.S. Secretary of Defense in a White House East Room ceremony with President Lyndon Johnson in attendance. Continue reading Clark Clifford sworn in as defense chief 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 1 1968) →

Video: 'The President: February 1968. MP893.' (Feb. 28, 1968, at 22:57)

(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 1:20 p.m. EST; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — President Lyndon Johnson gave the Medal of Freedom today to his departing Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, and praised him as a “brilliant and good man.” Continue reading LBJ lauds outgoing defense chief McNamara 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968) →

Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History - Tet [6/11]' (Wheeler-Westmoreland proposal at 31:33)

(Wednesday, February 28, 1968, 8:35-11:15 a.m. EST; during the Tet Offensive, part of the Vietnam War, Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. General Earle Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, just back from Vietnam, told President Lyndon Johnson today at the White House that General William Westmoreland, commanding U.S. forces in Vietnam, will need an additional 206,000 soldiers “for a proposed ceiling of 731,756.” Continue reading U.S. military seeks another 206,000 troops in Vietnam 50 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 28 1968) →