Kissinger

Bruce E. Tashoff needs to reread history (letter, Feb. 21). He calls Henry A. Kissinger “the major architect” of the Vietnam War. The late President Richard M. Nixon was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 1969, and at that time Kissinger began to have an influence as Nixon’s national security advisor.

Keeping that date in mind, recall that in 1962 President John F. Kennedy sent 16,000 Marines into Vietnam with permission to return fire. Then, on Nov. 2, 1963, South Vietnam President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother were assassinated by rebels who overthrew his administration. This revolt took place with the specific approval of President Kennedy and his brother, Atty. Gen. Robert F. Kennedy. Because of this action by the United States, the U.S. was inextricably committed to the defense of Vietnam.

NORBERT E. TALBERT

Diamond Bar