In the First Year of George HW Bush’s Political Career, the World War II Pilot Sees the War in Vietnam as a “Very difficult situation”, and Announces He Will Travel to Vietnam to See the War Firsthand
This would be his first foreign trip as public servant.
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“I am trying to arrange a trip to Vietnam at my own expense around the first of December after the Congress adjourns. I am hopeful that this will at least give me a better insight into some of the problems.” George HW Bush began his career in public service in the military....
“I am trying to arrange a trip to Vietnam at my own expense around the first of December after the Congress adjourns. I am hopeful that this will at least give me a better insight into some of the problems.”
George HW Bush began his career in public service in the military. After Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and flew as a naval pilot in combat in the Pacific Theater. Back in the States, he moved his family to Texas, where he made millions in the oil business and became active in Republican Party politics.
The future President first took elective office as Congressman for a district around Houston in 1967. Hostilities in Vietnam were coming to a head. In late 1967, opposition troop build-ups were an sign that the North Vietnamese were planning a major offensive. Bush was not only a Congressman, but had served in war and understood its complexities. He also felt strongly that the men who had been sent over should have the support of the government. He set his mind to visiting Vietnam firsthand, his first foreign trip as a public servant. He laid out his plans to travel to the war zone, as well as his position on the war itself, in a letter to a friend and constituent. iIt is as early a letter from future President Bush’s political career as you are likely to find.
Typed letter signed, with a holograph postscript entirely in his hand, Washington, November 9, 1967, on Bush’s stationery as Congressman from the Texas 7th District, to Duncan Chapman of Houston. “Dear Duncan: Thank you for your recent letter concerning the war in Vietnam. I am very glad to have your thoughts and feelings on this complex situation. I too find the complexities of this war frustrating and confusing. I am disappointed with the lack of participation by the South Vietnamese and would like to see more dedication and involvement from their troops. I do not want to see us commit more American boys to this conflict, but yet I do not want to see us unilaterally withdraw either. It is a very difficult situation. I cannot agree with you on the cessation of bombing. As long as we have committed American lives to protect South Vietnam, we must do everything possible to insure their safety. I would like to see an all-out effort to bring this war to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.
“I am trying to arrange a trip to Vietnam at my own expense around the first of December after the Congress adjourns. I am hopeful that this will at least give me a better insight into some of the problems and that I can relay the facts to the people in my district. Thank you so much for letting me know your feelings on this war.”
Bush adds a post script. “Come by at Xmas after I get back and we'll talk this over. Bar (Barbara Bush) would love to see you too.”
On December 26, Congressman Bush did in fact go to Vietnam and returned just 2 weeks before the launching of the Tet Offensive.
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