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COMMANDER // 1914–2005

William Westmoreland

generalUnited StatesUnited States2 battles1 war

Lifespan

1914 – 2005

1925195019752000Vietnam War · 1955–1975 broad period; major U.S. combat 1965–1973Khe Sanh — Jan–Jul 1968 · United States · Vietnam WarTet Offensive — 1968 · South Vietnam · Vietnam War

Active service 1968 — 2 battles across 1 war; first command at age 54.

Profile

William Childs Westmoreland was a United States Army general, most notably the commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972. Born into a prosperous family in Upstate South Carolina, he demonstrated leadership abilities from an early age as a Boy Scout and attended the US Military Academy in West Point, graduating at the top of his class in 1936. He excelled during his service in the European theater during World War II, and in the Korean War, leading to him becoming one of the youngest general officers of the time. After returning from Korea, he continued to climb the ranks within the Army, serving as Superintendent of West Point from 1960 to 1963.

Source · Wikipedia · Q298793

Battles (2)

Last verified June 2026
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