Cold War Beginnings

GROWTH AND TURMOIL, 1948-1977 Cold War Beginnings

Resource:

Questioning Cold War Policy

Document Text

Dear President Kennedy,

My brother, Specialist James Delmas McAndrew, was one of the seven crew members killed on January 11 in a Viet Nam helicopter crash. . . .

[My older brothers fought in World War II.] During those war years and even all during the Korean confict we worried about all of them—but that was all very diferent. They were wars that our country were fghting, and everyone here knew that our sons and brothers were giving their lives for their country.

I can’t help but feel that giving one’s life for one’s country is one thing, but being sent to a country where half our country never even heard of and being shot at without even a chance to shoot back is another thing altogether!

Please, I’m only a housewife who doesn’t even claim to know all about the international situation—but we have felt so bitter over this—can the small number of our boys over in Vietnam possibly be doing enough good to justify the awful number of casualties? It seems to me that if we are going to have our boys over there, then we should send enough to have a chance—or else stay home. Those fellows are just sitting ducks in those darn helicopters. If a war is worth fghting— isn’t it worth fghting to win?

Very sincerely,

Bobbie Lou Pendergrass

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Central Subject Files.

National Security – Defense (ND). ND: 9-2-2: Condolence letters and communications:

M: Executive. JFKWHCSF-0604-027. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Document Text Summary

This is a letter to President John F. Dear President Kennedy, Kennedy.

My brother, Specialist James Delmas Bobbie Lou’s brother was a solider. He McAndrew, was one of the seven crew and six other soldiers died in a members killed on January 11 in a Viet helicopter crash in Vietnam. Nam helicopter crash. . . .

[My older brothers fought in World War II.] During those war years and even all Bobbie Lou’s brothers were soldiers in during the Korean confict we worried World War II and the Korean War. Both of about all of them—but that was all very those wars were diferent from the diferent. They were wars that our Vietnam War. Soldiers in World War II country were fghting, and everyone and Korea were fghting for America. here knew that our sons and brothers were giving their lives for their country.

I can’t help but feel that giving one’s life for one’s country is one thing, but being Bobbie Lou does not think serving in sent to a country where half our country Vietnam is the same as serving in World never even heard of and being shot at War II. The soldiers in Vietnam do not without even a chance to shoot back is have the chance to defend themselves. another thing altogether!

Please, I’m only a housewife who doesn’t even claim to know all about the international situation—but we have felt so bitter over this—can the small Bobbie Lou acknowledges that she does number of our boys over in Vietnam not have the same knowledge as the possibly be doing enough good to justify President about international issues. But the awful number of casualties? It she does not understand how fghting in seems to me that if we are going to Vietnam is worth so many American have our boys over there, then we deaths. She believes America should should send enough to have a chance— either do enough to win the war or not or else stay home. Those fellows are do anything at all. just sitting ducks in those darn helicopters. If a war is worth fghting— isn’t it worth fghting to win?

Very sincerely, This letter was written by Bobbie Lou Bobbie Lou Pendergrass Pendergrass

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Central Subject Files.

National Security – Defense (ND). ND: 9-2-2: Condolence letters and communications:

M: Executive. JFKWHCSF-0604-027. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Document Text

Dear Mrs. Pendergrass,

The questions which you posed in your letter can, I believe, best be answered by realizing why your brother—and other American men —went to Viet Nam in the frst place. . . .

Americans are in Viet Nam because we have determined that this country must not fall under Communist domination. Ever since Viet Nam was divided, the Viet Namese have fought valiantly to maintain their independence in the face of the continuing threat from the North. Shortly after the division eight years ago it became apparent that they could not be successful in their defense without extensive assistance from other nations of the Free World community. . . .

If Viet Nam should fall, it will indicate to the people of Southeast Asia that complete Communist domination of their part of the world is almost inevitable. Your brother was in Viet Nam because the threat to the Viet Namese people is, in the long run, a threat to the Free world community, and ultimately a threat to us also. For when freedom is destroyed in one country, it is threatened throughout the world. . . .

I believe if you can see this as he must have seen it, you will believe as he must have believed, that he did not die in vain. Forty-fve American soldiers, including your brother, have given their lives in Viet Nam. In their sacrifce they have earned the eternal gratitude of this Nation and other free men throughout the world. . . .

Sincerely, John F. Kennedy

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Central Subject Files.

National Security – Defense (ND). ND: 9-2-2: Condolence letters and communications:

M: Executive. JFKWHCSF-0604-027. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Document Text Summary

This is a letter to Bobbie Lou Dear Mrs. Pendergrass, Pendergrass.

The questions which you posed in your letter can, I believe, best be answered The President acknowledges that Bobbie by realizing why your brother—and Lou wants to understand why American other American men —went to Viet Nam soldiers are in Vietnam. in the frst place. . . .

Americans are in Viet Nam because we have determined that this country must not fall under Communist domination. The President explains that American Ever since Viet Nam was divided, the soldiers are Vietnam because the Viet Namese have fought valiantly to American government does not want maintain their independence in the face the Vietnamese government to become of the continuing threat from the North. communist. The Vietnamese people will Shortly after the division eight years not successfully defeat communism ago it became apparent that they could without help from other countries who not be successful in their defense oppose communism. without extensive assistance from other nations of the Free World community. . . .

If Viet Nam should fall, it will indicate to the people of Southeast Asia that The President believes that if Vietnam complete Communist domination of becomes a communist country, the rest their part of the world is almost of Southeast Asia will become inevitable. Your brother was in Viet Nam communist. If Vietnam becomes a because the threat to the Viet Namese community country, it is a threat to the people is, in the long run, a threat to the entire world. That is why Bobbie Lou’s Free world community, and ultimately a brother was sent to Vietnam. threat to us also. For when freedom is Communist countries are a threat to destroyed in one country, it is world freedom. threatened throughout the world. . . .

I believe if you can see this as he must have seen it, you will believe as he must If Bobbie Lou can understand this have believed, that he did not die in explanation, she will understand that vain. Forty-fve American soldiers, her brother died for a good cause. Forty including your brother, have given their fve soldiers have died in Vietnam. They lives in Viet Nam. In their sacrifce they have all earned respect from America have earned the eternal gratitude of and the world. this Nation and other free men throughout the world. . . .

Sincerely, This letter was written by President John John F. Kennedy F. Kennedy.

Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Central Subject Files.

National Security – Defense (ND). ND: 9-2-2: Condolence letters and communications:

M: Executive. JFKWHCSF-0604-027. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Background

The United States had been involved in the fght to keep communism out of Vietnam since 1948. That year, President Harry Truman provided funds to stop a communist-led independence movement in Vietnam. As the situation evolved, so did American involvement. By 1961, newly-elected President John F. Kennedy was eager to continue the work of his predecessors. During his presidency, the United States provided funds, military advisers, and other non-combat support on the ground in Vietnam.

Under President Kennedy, American soldiers advised the South Vietnamese Army. They did not participate in active combat. But their proximity to active warfare put them at risk. As the American death toll in Vietnam rose, many Americans expressed concern. It was difcult to understand what the soldiers were doing and why they had been sent there. The Cold War had been going on for nearly two decades, but it was still difcult for leaders to explain. Increasingly, Americans wanted to know why fghting other countries’ wars was worth it.

About the Document

On January 2, 1963, Communist forces in Vietnam shot down seven U.S. helicopters. Two American soldiers died. On January 11, another helicopter crashed because of supposed technical reasons. Every man on board died. On January 18, another soldier was shot through the leg by a Vietnamese sniper as he few his helicopter. These incidents proved that American soldiers serving as advisers in Vietnam were risking their lives.

On February 18, Bobbie Lou Pendergrass of Santa Ana, California, wrote to President Kennedy about her brother’s death in the January 11 crash. In her letter, she begged for an explanation for why American soldiers were serving in Vietnam. The President responded and attempted to answer her questions.

Vocabulary

• Cold War: A state of hostility between two nations that does not include open warfare. The most famous cold war was between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1990. • communism: A political system in which all goods and items of value are collectively owned and distributed to citizens equally. • housewife: A married woman whose primary responsibility is taking care of the home.

Discussion Questions

• Bobbie Lou asked, “Isn’t it worth fghting to win?” What did she mean by that? What diferences did she see between World War II and U.S. involvement in Vietnam? • Bobbie Lou mentions World War II. Why does she do this? What diferences does she see between that war and the war in Vietnam? • Bobbie Lou describes herself as “only a housewife”? What does she mean by this and what does this tell you about perceived gender roles in the early 1960s? • Did President Kennedy answer Bobbie Lou’s questions? Why did he think the American presence in Vietnam was so important? • How do you think Bobbie Lou felt about President Kennedy’s response? Why do you think so? • What do you think of each person’s argument? Do agree with one perspective more than another?

Suggested Activities

• Deepen students’ understanding of the Vietnam War by combining these letters with other Vietnam-related resources in WAMS, including the American women in Hanoi photographs, a photograph of Jeannette Rankin’s anti-Vietnam march, Nancy Sanchez’s life story, and Bella Abzug’s life story. For more in-depth content, explore New-York Historical Society’s Vietnam War curriculum guide. • Bobbie Lou’s letter and President Kennedy’s response both explore the rationale of the Cold War and America’s fear of communism. Help students understand this

issue by combining this resource with the Kitchen Debates and Helen Gahagan Douglas’ life story. • Explore the stereotypical image of the housewife by pairing this letter with resources on post-war consumerism and life in the suburbs.

Themes

POWER AND POLITICS; AMERICA IN THE WORLD