Date of Award
12-2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
History
Department
History
Major Professor
Millett, Allan R.
Second Advisor
Bell, Michael S.
Third Advisor
Calhoun, Mark T.
Abstract
As Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (J-3) at MACV from 1964-1966, General William DePuy served as the main architect of the campaign strategy implemented by General William Westmoreland in fighting both VC and NVA units during the earliest and most critical years of the Vietnam War. Following his role at MACV, DePuy assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division in March 1966 where he exhibited a distinct command philosophy and transformed the organizational culture of the “Big Red One” through a series of directives and tactical innovations. Most historians are critical of Westmoreland’s chosen strategy as well as DePuy’s operational framework. This thesis examines DePuy’s contributions as MACV J-3 and the operational level of war of the Big Red One under his command where strategy is translated into military action. It argues that despite the war’s final outcome, DePuy understood the Communist threat and, also, simultaneously implemented an appropriate counterinsurgency campaign to address that threat.
Recommended Citation
Coste, Adam D., "Termites, Bully Boys, and the Architect of Search & Destroy: An Assessment of General William E. DePuy as MACV J-3 and Commander of the 1st Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam, 1964-67" (2023). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 3122.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/3122
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.