we saw a prelude of what would happen in south vietnam when the communists entered the city of hue last year. during their brief rule there, there was a bloody reign of terror in which 3,000 civilians were clubbed, shot to death, and buried in mass graves.
with the sudden collapse of our support, these atrocities at hue would become the nightmare of the entire nation and particularly for the million-and-a half catholic refugees who fled to south vietnam when the communists took over in the north.
for the united states this first defeat in our nation’s history would result in a collapse of confidence in american leadership not only in asia but throughout the world.
three american presidents have recognized the great stakes involved in vietnam and understood what had to be done.
in 1963 president kennedy with his characteristic eloquence and clarity said we want to see a stable government there, carrying on the struggle to maintain its national independence.