William C. Westmoreland

Born: March 26, 1914, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Died: July 18, 2005, Charleston, South Carolina

William C. Westmoreland was an American General who commanded American military operations in the Vietnam War at its peak from 1964 to 1968 and who served as U.S. Army Chief of Staff from 1968 to 1972.

What do you know about William C. Westmoreland?  Try this quick and easy Vietnam War trivia quiz.

1. William C. Westmoreland entered West Point after one year at The Citadel. What year did he enter West Point?

• 1930

• 1932

• 1934

2. He graduated as first captain - the highest rank - and received the Pershing Sword, given to the most able cadet.

• True or False?

3. Westmoreland reached the rank of Colonel, Army of the United States: July 1944 (temporary). When did he reach Colonel, Regular Army: (permanent)?

• June 1947

• June 1955

• June 1961

4. Westmoreland's World War II experience with the 82nd Airborne led to his being asked to join the 82nd as a regimental commander after the war, which was the beginning of his professional association with airborne and airmobile troops. Who brought him in as regimental commander?

• General Dwight Eisenhower

• General James M. Gavin

• General Benjamin Bradley

5. What division did he assume command of in 1958?

• 101st Airborne Division

• 82nd Airborne Division

• 3rd Armored Division

6. In 1960 he became superintendent of the Citadel.

• True or False?

7. He became commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). Who did he assume command from?

• General Paul D. Harkins

• General David Peatraous

• General Ira Hayes

8. From 1968 to 1972, what command did Westmoreland serve, then retired from the Army.

• Chief of Staff of the United States Army

• Chief of Staff, Department of Defense

• Secretary of the United States Army

9. In 1982, Mike Wallace interviewed Westmoreland for the CBS special The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception. The documentary, prepared largely by CBS producer George Crile, alleged that Westmoreland and others had deliberately underestimated Vietcong troop strength during 1967 in order to maintain US troop morale and domestic support for the war. Westmoreland filed a lawsuit against CBS. Westmoreland suddenly settled with CBS for an apology, no more than CBS had originally offered.

• True or False?

10. When did Westmoreland ran unsuccessfully for Governor of South Carolina?

• 1974

• 1976

• 1978

Where is William C. Westmoreland buried?

William C. Westmoreland Answers

1. 1932

2. True

3. June 1961

4. General James M. Gavin

5. 101st Airborne Division

6. False. In 1960 he became superintendent of West Point.

7. General Paul D. Harkins

8. Chief of Staff of the United States Army

9. True

10. 1974