The Kennedy Withdrawal: Camelot and the American Commitment to Vietnam

President Kennedy's decision to withdraw US troops from Vietnam in 1963 was a political device to manage public opinion and preserve US military assistance, according to Marc J. Selverstone's book "The Kennedy Withdrawal." The plan was developed by Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and was not just about Vietnam, but also injected greater discipline into the US assistance program and was a form of leverage over South Vietnam. JFK's proposed withdrawal was a cagey strategy for keeping the US involved in the fight, a strategy that the country adopted decades later in Afghanistan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 27 January 2023
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A significant reevaluation of our understanding of President John F. Kennedy's commitment to the Vietnam War reveals that his administration's plan to withdraw was a political device designed to manage public opinion while preserving US military assistance. In October 1963, the White House publicly proposed the removal of US troops from Vietnam, earning President Kennedy an enduring reputation as a skeptic on the war. However, the truth is more complex. Kennedy was ambivalent about withdrawal and was largely detached from its planning.

Marc J. Selverstone, in his book "The Kennedy Withdrawal," sheds new light on this topic by utilizing secret presidential tapes alongside declassified documents, memoirs, and oral histories. Through his meticulous research, Selverstone reveals that the withdrawal statement was not solely about Vietnam but evolved over the course of fifteen months. It was a multifaceted plan that had implications for various stakeholders.

Defense Secretary Robert McNamara played a central role in shaping the withdrawal plan. His ownership of the plan distanced it from the president, allowing Kennedy to maintain support for US military assistance. The details of the plan were meticulously crafted to achieve these objectives.

The Kennedy Withdrawal offers an insightful look into presidential decision-making during this pivotal period of the Vietnam War. It challenges the prevailing portrayal of Kennedy as a dove, emphasizing that his proposed withdrawal was a strategic move to keep the United States involved in the conflict. This strategy, which the country later adopted in Afghanistan, demonstrates the enduring influence of Kennedy's approach to foreign policy.

In conclusion, Selverstone's book provides a fresh perspective on President Kennedy's commitment to Vietnam, challenging the conventional narrative and revealing the complex web of political and military considerations that shaped his decision-making. It sheds light on the nuanced strategies employed by Kennedy and his administration to navigate the challenges of the Vietnam War while preserving US interests.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674048812