Pentagon calls for troop increase
The Pentagon informs President Johnson that if General Westmoreland is to conduct the major sweep operations necessary to destroy enemy forces during the coming year U.S.troop strength should be increased from 120000 to 400000 men.Also on this day The Viet Cong release two U.S.special forces soldiers captured two years earlier during a battle of Hiep Hoa 40 miles southwest of Saigon.
At a news conference in Phnom Penh three days later the two Americans Sgt.George Smith and Specialist 5th Class Claude McClure declared that they opposed U.S.actions in Vietnam and would campaign for the withdrawal of American troops.
Although Smith later denied making the statement U.S.authorities announced that the two men would face trial for cooperating with the enemy.Also on this day In Washington nearly 35000 war protestors circle the White House for two hours before moving on to the Washington Monument.Dr.
Benjamin Spock Coretta Scott King and activist Norman Thomas were among those who gave speeches.
