Asked at a news conference if U.S. troops are fighting in Vietnam, President Kennedy answers "No." He was technically correct, but U.S. soldiers were serving as combat advisers with the South Vietnamese army, and U.S. pilots were flying missions with the South Vietnamese Air Force. While acting in this advisory capacity, some soldiers invariably got wounded, and press correspondents based in Saigon were beginning to see casualties from the "support" missions and ask questions.
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Jan 15, 1962:
Kennedy says U.S. troops are not fighting
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This Week in History, Jan 15 - Jan 21
- Jan 15, 1962
- Kennedy says U.S. troops are not fighting
- Jan 15, 1973
- Nixon halts military action against North Vietnam
- Jan 16, 1964
- Johnson approves Oplan 34A
- Jan 16, 1969
- Agreement to open peace talks reached
- Jan 17, 1971
- South Vietnamese forces raid POW camp
- Jan 17, 1972
- Nixon threatens President Thieu
- Jan 18, 1950
- China and Soviet Union recognize Democratic Republic of Vietnam
- Jan 18, 1971
- McGovern begins his presidential campaign
- Jan 19, 1961
- Eisenhower cautions successor about Laos
- Jan 19, 1968
- Operation McLain is launched
- Jan 20, 1969
- Richard Nixon takes office
- Jan 20, 1972
- New communist offensive anticipated
- Jan 21, 1968
- Battle for Khe Sanh begins
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