Book Review: "War During Peace"
. . . A Strategy for Defeat; Or, What Our "Leaders" Failed to Learn from Our Vietnam Loss in Afghanistan
Dr. William Hamilton, a military historian, former USA Today columnist, and a 20-year decorated Army Vietnam War veteran has gifted us with a powerfully important book at a critical time.
America has just lost its second war in Afghanistan. The first was Vietnam. There are a few “ties” and “inconclusive” contests. While focusing on "lessons learned" from Vietnam clearly suggests that our "suits" didn't learn much from that first loss.
Much ink will be spilled in the months (if not years) ahead over "what went wrong" in Afghanistan. But the best place for our military strategists, historians, and especially our federal public officials - policymakers (and wannabes) at the Departments of State and Defense, and of course the White House and Congress - to start is with Vietnam. America's debacle in Afghanistan, the results of which will reverberate for years, proves the adage, "those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
That includes the media. Bill's clear-eyed, honest, and superbly researched analysis includes a look at how the media also got things wrong in Vietnam, especially their false reporting on "who won" the Tet offensive in 1968. The US media claimed, initially, that was a victory by the North Vietnamese, when in fact, the reverse was true. As a former news reporter and editor, this chapter really caught my attention.
Add journalism schools and newsrooms to the list of people who need to read this book. Buy it here.
Hamilton's initial focus is on the antics and "management style" of the late Robert McNamara, Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. He and his "whiz kids," with no practical military experience or training, micromanaged the US involvement in Vietnam. But he doesn't stop there - a few poor military decisions are exposed as well. But there's no doubt that the "suits" are the focus of his analysis, as much as our military leadership. The "suits," from President Johnson on down, never gave a clear, winning mission to our Army, a mission that was never focused on winning, but a war of attrition.
He names the military brass who led and managed our efforts with a historian's detail and accuracy, from the legendary William Westmoreland to Creighton Abrams. He praises many others for their leadership style, many of whom contributed to his book with their own post-war analysis. A former research fellow at the Army War College, Dr. Hamilton has clearly done his homework. He is also a graduate of the Naval War College.
What I like about Bill's book is this: It covers all aspects of warfare - political and military - with a focus on vision (or mission), strategy, tactics, and operations. He provides both a 30,000-foot view and one from the ground. Anyone who served in that war or any hostile encounters since will find much to relate with. For the rest of us, it is illustrative and instructive.
Hamilton exposes President Johnson for a couple of things. First, his distrust of the military. Sound familiar? President Biden clearly eschewed advice from his military professionals as well. How has that worked out? Second, Johnson "served" in the military all of a month as a naval Lt. Commander to have the airplane he was riding in was shot at (missed) by an enemy aircraft. He cajoled the military into having a Silver Star awarded to him. That rankles and qualifies as stolen valor, in my view.
Hamilton confirms that we benefit from civilian leaders with real military experience. There are exceptions. Ronald Reagan's military experience was making films, and Jimmy Carter was a Naval Academy Graduate and submarine officer. But at a minimum, we need leaders who are well schooled and respectful of military culture, experience, and training. Hamilton reinforces that.
Hamilton's book is not an angry, resentful, or vengeful one, but that doesn't make it a happy one - just a clinical, reality-based analysis of a war fought badly, with helpful and hopeful recommendations. I pray there is someone like Bill, but an Afghanistan veteran and expert equal to his station and skill who can follow suit. It is a helpful and important guide to our current and next generation of servant leaders, military and civilian, and a wonderful guide for anyone who wants to be a more informed and engaged citizen. Or journalist.
(Disclosure: Dr. Hamilton is a personal friend)