War-dated cotton bunting 5´ x 3´ American flag that was flown over the United States Capitol and presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson to General William Westmoreland, commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War. Included with the flag is a transmittal TLS from President Johnson to Westmoreland and a signed handwritten statement of authenticity from Westmoreland.
The Johnson letter, one page, 6.75 x 9, White House letterhead, June 14, 1967, addressed to “Westy,” in full: “As you explained our nation’s course in Vietnam to the American people, in the presence of their assembled representatives in the Congress, this flag flew proudly over the Capitol. Your unfailing courage and untiring perseverance continually renew our faith in the American flag, just as you are helping to rebuild the world’s hopes for the secure and honorable peace we all seek. So the message that comes with this historic flag that I am sending you stems deep from within a nation’s heart. It echoes a people’s enduring debt to a great American, a great patriot, and a fine human being.”
Westmoreland’s handwritten statement, penned in blue felt tip on an 11 x 8.5 sheet printed “United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam,” in full: “This flag was given to me in June 1967 by President Johnson. W. C. Westmoreland.” In overall fine condition, with overall soiling to the Johnson letter; the flag is wrapped with duct tape and its removal will potentially leave adhesive remnants and oil-based staining; restoration and/or a professional cleaning of the tape residue will in all likelihood be necessary if the tape is removed. Accompanied by Westmoreland’s personal calling card.
Westmoreland was sent to Vietnam in 1963 and in June 1964 he succeeded Paul D. Harkins as commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). As the head of the MACV, he was known for highly publicized, positive assessments of U.S. military prospects in Vietnam and, in 1965, TIME named him their Man of the Year. The bolstering of communist combat forces in the South led to regular requests for increases in U.S. troop strength; from 16,000 when Westmoreland arrived to its peak of 535,000 in 1968 when he was promoted to Army chief of staff.
On April 28, 1967, Westmoreland addressed a joint session of Congress, to which Johnson refers in his letter. Westmoreland spoke: ‘In evaluating the enemy strategy it is evident to me that he believes our Achilles heel is our resolve…Your continued strong support is vital to the success of our mission…Backed at home by resolve, confidence, patience, determination, and continued support, we will prevail in Vietnam over the communist aggressor!’ Westmoreland claimed that under his leadership, United States forces ‘won every battle.’ However, the ferocity of the dual attacks of the 1968 Tet Offensive and the Battle of Khe Sanh shook public confidence in Westmoreland's previous assurances about the state of the war. Political debate and public opinion led the Johnson administration to limit further increases in U.S. troop numbers in Vietnam.
