McNamara had to say after each of his previous trips to Vietnam: May, 1962 -- The United States had "no plan for introducing combat forces into South Vietnam. The South Vietnamese face a long war, not of months but of years. "
September, 1963 ~- In a joint statement with Gen. ell D. Taylor, Presidential military adviser, expressed his belief that "the major part of the U.S. military task can be completed by the end of 1365."
December, 1963 -- "I am optimistic over progress to be made during the coming year. Operations against the Communists from here on will be many and will be effective."
March, 1964 -- "I did not meet a single responsible official who doesn't believe that if a proper effort is made victory can be obtained. The path to victory may be hard. There is no magic formula for winning an anti-guerrilla war."
May, 1 -- It may be necessary to increase the 15,000-man U.S. military training force in South Vietnam, but "I think, on balance, the number is not likely to increase substantially. There will be both increases and decreases associated with the strengthening of the Vietnamese forces."
July, 1965 -- "Over-all, the situation continues to be serious. As a matter of fact, in many aspects there has been a deterioration since I was here last, 15 months ago. But the picture is not all black by any means."
November, 1965 -- "We have stopped losing the war...The decision of the Vietcong to stand and fight expresses their determination to carry on the conflict. It leads to one conclusion -- that it will be a long war."
October, 1966 -- "I saw nothing that indicates any need for a change in the rate of deployment of U.S. forces in the months ahead. The military operations have progressed very satisfactorily during the past year. The rate of progress has exceeded our expectations."
PHILADELPHIA PROFESSORS CIRCULATE APPEAL FOR HUGO