The Vietnam War is normally associated with the administrations of Presidents Johnson and Nixon. It was during the period between 1965 and 1972 that American involvement in a land war in Asia rapidly expanded and only ended in stalemate, frustration and great internal bitterness. However, the United States commitment to South Vietnam goes back to the era of the Eisenhower administration, when this country began aiding the Vietnamese following the collapse and withdrawal of French colonial rule. During Eisenhower’s years as President, the United States was committed to supporting the government of Ngo Dinh Diem, the Premier of South Vietnam. That support was primarily related to the training of the armed forces by U.S. advisors and to anti-communist activities carried out by the Central Intelligence Agency. With the start of a Viet Cong guerrilla warfare against …