ABSTRACT
The only saturation bombing engaged in was the bombing of Cambodia and Laos after 1969 and the Christmas bombing of North Vietnam in 1972. Severe restrictions were placed in the “rules of engagement” of United States (US) ground combat forces in South Vietnam. This chapter turns to the mix of positive and presumably complementary programs the US undertook to fulfill its engagement in Vietnam in the sixties and early seventies. The key issue in coordinating US programs in Vietnam during 1961–1972 was, of course, that of coordinating military with civilian efforts. The approach attempted in Vietnam in 1961–1972, and particularly after 1965, was far too refined and sophisticated either to be correctly implemented or even to be understood. The Republic of South Korea was another matter; for Korea, although handsomely paid to do it, actually sent two fighting infantry divisions to Vietnam and suffered heavy casualties there.
