Gen. William Westmoreland, senior U.S. military commander in Vietnam, sends a new troop request to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Westmoreland stated that he needed 542,588 troops for the war in Vietnam in 1967--an increase of 111,588 men to the number already serving there. In the end, President Johnson acceded to Westmoreland's wishes and dispatched the additional troops to South Vietnam, but the increases were done in an incremental fashion. The highest number of U.S. troops in South Vietnam was 543,500, which was reached in 1969.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- War of 1812 begins, 1812
- American Revolution
- British abandon Philadelphia, 1778
- Automotive
- Checker Cab produces first taxi at Kalamazoo factory, 1923
- Civil War
- Union hero Joshua Chamberlain is wounded at Petersburg, 1864
- Cold War
- Carter and Brezhnev sign the SALT-II treaty, 1979
- Crime
- A radio host is gunned down for his controversial views, 1984
- Disaster
- Mysterious crash at Heathrow, 1972
- General Interest
- Napoleon defeated at Waterloo, 1815
- First American woman in space, 1983
- Hollywood
- Film critic Roger Ebert born, 1942
- Literary
- Novelist Gail Godwin is born, 1937
- Music
- The Monterey Pop Festival reaches its climax, 1967
- Old West
- Alexander Murray departs for the Yukon, 1847
- Presidential
- Adams passes first of Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798
- Sports
- Arnold Palmer wins U.S. Open, 1960
- Vietnam War
- SAC B-52s are used for the first time in South Vietnam, 1965
- Westmoreland requests more troops, 1966
- World War I
- French troops halt fighting in Artois region, 1915
- World War II
- Hitler and Mussolini meet in Munich, 1940
Jun 18, 1966:
Westmoreland requests more troops
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Jun 18 - Jun 24
- Jun 18, 1965
- SAC B-52s are used for the first time in South Vietnam
- Jun 18, 1966
- Westmoreland requests more troops
- Jun 19, 1965
- Ky becomes premier of South Vietnam
- Jun 19, 1968
- South Vietnamese president signs general mobilization bill
- Jun 20, 1964
- Westmoreland becomes Commander of MACV
- Jun 20, 1972
- Abrams appointed as Army Chief of Staff
- Jun 21, 1966
- Rolling Thunder raids continue
- Jun 21, 1969
- Communists storm U.S. base near Tay Ninh
- Jun 22, 1971
- South Vietnamese fight for Fire Base Fuller
- Jun 22, 1972
- New troops sent to An Loc
- Jun 23, 1964
- Johnson announces new ambassador to South Vietnam
- Jun 23, 1969
- North Vietnamese encircle Ben Het
- Jun 24, 1970
- Senate repeals Tonkin Gulf Resolution
- Jun 24, 1973
- Martin becomes the U.S. ambassador in Saigon
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Civil War: Rebellion to Reconstruction DVD Set
Experience the turbulent events that ignited the bloodiest, most divisive war this country has known.
$53.99
Buy Now -
The American Civil War DVD Set
Experience for yourself the historical and personal impact of the Civil War.
$61.15
Buy Now -
Dogfights Season 2 DVD
Chocks up! Jump in the cockpit and fly every exhilarating mission from the second season of this breakthrough series.
$22.53
Buy Now
