Attack On The American Embassy During Tet, 1968: Factors That Turned A Tactical Victory Into A Political Defeat

Nonfiction, History, Military, Vietnam War, Asian, United States
Cover of the book Attack On The American Embassy During Tet, 1968: Factors That Turned A Tactical Victory Into A Political Defeat by Major Robert J. O'Brien, Normanby Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Major Robert J. O'Brien ISBN: 9781782896944
Publisher: Normanby Press Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Normanby Press Language: English
Author: Major Robert J. O'Brien
ISBN: 9781782896944
Publisher: Normanby Press
Publication: August 15, 2014
Imprint: Normanby Press
Language: English

What could have made the Military Police (MP) and Marine Security Guard (MSG) response more effective, averting negative media coverage and public opinion? The Tet Offensive has been widely acknowledged as the turning point of the United States (U.S.) effort in Vietnam. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces attacked over 100 cities and towns on 31 January 1968, during the Tet holiday. At the epicenter of this cataclysmic event was the attack on the U.S. Embassy. Although this was a platoon level action, the publicity generated would be wildly disproportionate to the value of the Embassy as a military target. Controversy has continued unabated four decades later. The media role in conveying the outcome of the attack is still a subject of debate. The fact that the U.S. forces that successfully defended the Embassy were greatly outnumbered and not organized or equipped as combat troops was not portrayed in media reports.
This thesis first examines the attack on the U.S. Embassy during the Tet Offensive of 1968, and what factors turned a tactical victory into a political defeat. The Marine Security Guards (MSGs) and Military Police (MP) were effective at preventing the enemy from entering and holding the Chancery. The MSGs and MPs at the Embassy achieved a clear tactical victory, yet the action was portrayed as a political defeat. Two sets of factors contributed to this portrayal: the political situation, including shifting public opinion and declining media-military relations; and actions taken by the State Department that directly affected the conduct of the action at the Embassy.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

What could have made the Military Police (MP) and Marine Security Guard (MSG) response more effective, averting negative media coverage and public opinion? The Tet Offensive has been widely acknowledged as the turning point of the United States (U.S.) effort in Vietnam. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces attacked over 100 cities and towns on 31 January 1968, during the Tet holiday. At the epicenter of this cataclysmic event was the attack on the U.S. Embassy. Although this was a platoon level action, the publicity generated would be wildly disproportionate to the value of the Embassy as a military target. Controversy has continued unabated four decades later. The media role in conveying the outcome of the attack is still a subject of debate. The fact that the U.S. forces that successfully defended the Embassy were greatly outnumbered and not organized or equipped as combat troops was not portrayed in media reports.
This thesis first examines the attack on the U.S. Embassy during the Tet Offensive of 1968, and what factors turned a tactical victory into a political defeat. The Marine Security Guards (MSGs) and Military Police (MP) were effective at preventing the enemy from entering and holding the Chancery. The MSGs and MPs at the Embassy achieved a clear tactical victory, yet the action was portrayed as a political defeat. Two sets of factors contributed to this portrayal: the political situation, including shifting public opinion and declining media-military relations; and actions taken by the State Department that directly affected the conduct of the action at the Embassy.

More books from Normanby Press

Cover of the book What Is A Jew? by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book U.S. Marines In Vietnam: Vietnamization And Redeployment, 1970-1971 by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Journal Kept During The Russian War: From The Departure Of The Army From England In April 1854 To The Fall Of Sebastopol by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book How Did Winston S. Churchill’s Experience As A Prisoner Of War by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Cavalry Experiences And Leaves From My Journal [Illustrated Edition] by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book To Caubul with the Cavalry Brigade - by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book The British Army 1793-1802 – Four Lectures Delivered At The Staff College And Cavalry School by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Reformation Europe, 1517-1559 by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Down In The Weeds - Close Air Support In Korea by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book From Cadet To Colonel: The Record Of A Life Of Active Service Vol. I by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Famous Land Fights; A Popular Sketch Of The History Of Land Warfare [Illustrated Edition] by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Yesterday’s Trails by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Doctor At Dien-Bien-Phu by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Final Judgment; The Story Of Nuremberg by Major Robert J. O'Brien
Cover of the book Strategy and Tactics by Major Robert J. O'Brien
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy