U.S. Boosting Troop Numbers Vietnam

July 27, 1964 - The United States will add about 5,000 men to its 16,000-man military mission in South Vietnam.

The South Vietnamese Government announced in Saigon earlier today that the U.S. would increase its military assistance, but the magnitude was not disclosed. Officials in Washington said today that it would be “in the order” of 5,000 men.

It is understood that the additional troops will work mainly in the field, accompanying and advising Vietnamese units down to the battalion level. The Saigon announcement said that, in addition, the U.S. would send more military equipment to bolster the critical struggle against the Communist Viet Cong.

The announcement of the step-up of about 30% was viewed as further evidence of the deep concern in Washington about the trend of the war. However, there was still no sign of a U.S. decision to carry the war into North Vietnam or to throw American units into combat.

The disclosure of a major increase in the U.S. mission illustrates a complete change from the more hopeful atmosphere of last year. In October, the Kennedy Administration announced that its goal was the withdrawal of all U.S. forces by the end of 1965.

This policy was changed before the year was out as the Viet Cong guerrillas stepped up their military activity. The plan to reduce the U.S. forces was abandoned in December. Now, seven months later, comes the announcement of a major increase.

Already 158 American servicemen have lost their lives in the war even though they have not been serving as members of U.S. combat units.

There have been recent reports from Saigon that the Viet Cong may be preparing for a major military campaign in central Vietnam. One objective that has been mentioned is capture of the former capital city of Hue on the South China Sea.

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