42. Good Intentions

President Kennedy, while fully supportive of the containment policy and the Domino Theory, did not envision an indefinite war in Vietnam. His administration, including Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, explored strategies to withdraw American involvement without abandoning South Vietnam.

Kennedy’s approach aimed at bolstering the South Vietnamese government through financial aid and military training, hoping to empower them to stand independently against Communist forces. He harbored the aspiration for a complete withdrawal of U.S. military personnel by the end of 1965.