On this date in 1962 the US government announced they were going easily defeat the Viet Cong with minimal loss of life, and that 4,000 soldiers would be deployed for six months.
“17 Feb 1962,
WASHINGTON (AP)—U.S. officials say the guerrilla war in South Viet Nam. will be won ‘with a minimum amount of combat and loss of life by Americans.’
As this official optimism was being expressed here, there was a report in Saigon the United States is going to triple the length of service of some of its Army men in Viet Nam,
About three-fourths of the estimated ~4,000 U.S. servicemen there are assigned to a temporary six- months tour of duty, but an informant said this was being extended to a permanent 18-month tour for some key personnel, such as helicopter pilots.”
There was also severe flooding in Germany and Idaho.
17 Feb 1962, 1 – The Ogden Standard-Examiner at Newspapers.com
h/t Don Penim
