M10 Assignment: Historical Fiction - "A Day in the

Life"

Adriana Gerardo

History 153

Professor Patrick McDonald

March 30, 2017

 Gerardo 1

August 9, 1967
Buffalo, New York

Dear President Lyndon B. Johnson:

I write these words to you Sir., the head of State, head of the Government and Commander-in-

chief of the Unites States of America, with the outmost respect and humility.

My name is Joseph Bishop, from Buffalo, New York. I served in Vietnam from September

through November of 1966. I was a soldier of the Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division involved

in Operation Attleboro, one of the first seek and destroy ground combat missions that took

place in the Northwest of Dau Tieng, South Vietnam. The operation caused a blow to the

Vietcong supply lines; however, in the aftermath of the mission, many ground soldiers died and

many others were left severely wounded, including myself, by handmade Chinese grenades.

After months of being unconscious in a local hospital, I finally woke up and returned home in

April of 1967.

As soon as I touched American ground, I saw my country was far different from the one I left

when I was drafted to Vietnam. Back in WWII, soldiers were welcomed as heroes, parades

where held in nearly every town and crowds commemorated soldiers for their sacrifices.

Vietnam veterans homecomings were a different story, there was no confetti thrown in the air or

a single crowd cheering; on the contrary, the people were indifferent and hostile toward us, our

sacrifices were outshined by an unsupported war.

 Gerardo 2

Since the onset of the war with The Gulf of Tonkin attack, back in August 4, of 1964, the

Vietcong has proved to be a persistent enemy. Ultimately, seek and destroy missions have proved

to be ineffective; likewise, the herbicidal warfare program with agent Orange did not deter the

enemy. Despite the Armys attempt to deprive them from food and destroy their land, the guerilla

soldiers were always a step ahead. Across America, families continue to mourn the suffering and

death of thousands of soldiers and the waste of our tax payer money towards war efforts.

The antiwar resentment keeps building up. Unlike WWI and WWII, war efforts today are not

supported by the American public. After the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, 48% percentage of the

American public agreed stronger measures where needed in Vietnam. Today, only 28%

percentage support the war.

President Trumans containment policy has shaped our foreign policy towards communist

countries, but what started with a persistent goal in his agenda has torn us apart into doves and

hawks. President Truman supported France to reclaim Indochina with money and military

advisers, and both President Eisenhower and President Kennedy followed the same steps, by

continuing to supply funds, weapons and military advice to South Vietnam. However, during

this presidential term, the stand has been to preserve the independence of South Vietnam.

Nevertheless, in supporting South Vietnam, we are aiding Ngo Dinh Diem, a corrupt man, that

does not stand to democratic principles. Most Americans, myself included, agree communism

stands against democratic principles and is an evil force seizing freedom; however, we cannot

continue this communism crusade at the expense of American human lives.

A war unsupported by the people is as lost fight.

 Gerardo 3

As an American, Vietnam Veteran and member of the emerging organization Vietnam Veterans

Against the War (VVAW) I ask you to stop the war. It is a lost battle Mr. President, nothing good

will come out of it.