President John F. Kennedy is responsible for U.S involvement in the Vietnam War in two major ways. First, President Kennedy approved a coup against Ngo Dinh Diem which led to Diem’s assassination. Kinzer (2006) argues, that the overthrow of the South Vietnamese leader committed the US to victory in Vietnam. The assassination of Diem not only caused Kennedy to feel guilty, but also a …show more content…
First, I discussed why President Kennedy is responsible for US involvement in the Vietnam War. Second, I discussed why President Johnson is responsible for US involvement in the Vietnam War. Third, I discussed which US president, Kennedy or Johnson, was most responsible for US involvement in the Vietnam War. The responsibility of President Johnson 's predecessors for US involvement in Vietnam is often forgotten. US orchestration of a coup against Ngo Dinh Diem committed the US to victory in South Vietnam. Kennedy’s approval of the coup and increase in US troops left Johnson with no honorable way to end the Vietnam