Draft Doubled: 50,000 More Men for Vietnam
Draft Doubled: 50,000 More Men for Vietnam
Making one of the most historic appearances since his inauguration, President Johnson, with his wife & daughters listening, tells a highly tensed Washington press conference of his new policy for Vietnam. President Johnson explains the reason for his action in these historic words. Panning TLS President LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON (LBJ) entering room packed with reporters. MS First Lady, LADY BIRD JOHNSON sitting in crowd. High angle LS President Johnson standing at podium with Presidential seal, hot TV lights overhead. Side view MS female reporter in white dress taking notes. CU President Lyndon Johnson speaking(We Will Stand in Vietnam Speech excerpts): "...we intend to convince the Communists that we cannot be defeated by force of arms or by superior power. They are not easily convinced. In recent months they have greatly increased their fighting forces and their attacks and the number of incidents. I have asked the Commanding General, General Westmoreland, what more he needs to meet this mounting aggression. He has told me. We will meet his needs. I have today ordered to Viet-Nam the Air Mobile Division and certain other forces which will raise our fighting strength from 75,000 to 125,000 men almost immediately. Additional forces will be needed later, and they will be sent as requested. This will make it necessary to increase our active fighting forces by raising the monthly draft call from 17,000 over a period of time (cutaway MS's - young men standing in line at U.S. draft board, signing paperwork, being sworn into the military, induction) to 35,000 per month, and for us to step up our campaign for voluntary enlistments. ... once the Communists know, as we know, that a violent solution is impossible, then a peaceful solution is inevitable. ... I have spoken many times of our objectives in Viet-Nam. So has the Government of South Viet-Nam. Hanoi has set forth its own proposals. We are ready to discuss their proposals and our proposals and any proposals of any government whose people may be affected, for we fear the meeting room no more than we fear the battlefield. In this pursuit we welcome and we ask for the concern and the assistance of any nation and all nations."