David Halberstam: A Vietnam War Journalist

Journalist David Halberstam started his career in journalism in a comparatively unorthodox way from his peers. After graduating from Harvard, Halberstam went to work for small daily newspapers instead of the bustling cities that most journalists long for. So instead, Halberstam fortuitously went to Mississippi, where he was front and center during the cultural upheaval of the 1950’s. Racial tensions were high after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, and Halberstam found himself at the frontlines, exactly where the story was happening. Halberstam had a knack for being exactly where he needed to be to uncover the truth. During the Vietnam War, Halberstam was reporting from the front lines of Saigon, and while his account repudiated the official press release statements from the White House, he had seen the truth firsthand and was not willing to change his story to fit the narrative of the government. Accompanied by several other war correspondents of the time, Halberstam was part of a growing movement of opposition for the Vietnam War. Even under pressure from President Kennedy, Halberstam was not willing to relinquish his position …show more content…
His mark on journalism was subtle but undeniable. One of his many talents was personalizing the war, like famed correspondent Ernie Pyle, he appealed to the common man, like William Randolph Hearst, his writing transcended the simple facts and figures, like Wolfe or Thompson. David Halberstam was an exceptional journalist because he was an amalgamation of all of the qualities that make a good journalist. A short time before his death, Halberstam relayed this advice to aspiring journalists, “never let them intimidate you. Never. If someone tries, do me a favor and work just a little harder on your story.” This is exemplary of his prolific work as a journalist, and an indication of his character as a