Ryan L. Cole: Vietnam Syndrome ... The war that has yet to produce a commander-in-chief
[Ryan L. Cole is a writer based in Washington, D.C.]
Two million Americans fought in Vietnam.
But not one of them has ever been elected president. If John McCain's bid for the presidency is unsuccessful, no veteran of that war will ever occupy the White House.
This would make it unique among American wars and the political fortunes of their heroes.
From the beginning of the republic Americans have looked to former warriors for leadership. America's first president, George Washington, was the hero of its first great war. The fifth president, James Monroe, was also a Revolutionary War veteran. The Battle of New Orleans, the final engagement of the War of 1812, helped General Andrew Jackson become president.
Victory over the Shawnee leader Tecumseh at Prophetstown (near the Tippecanoe River) enabled William Henry Harrison to win the presidency with the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." The Mexican War produced Zachary Taylor and Franklin Pierce. Save for Grover Cleveland, every president from Ulysses S. Grant (who also saw action in the Mexican War) to William McKinley fought in the Civil War.
Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders' charges up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. Harry Truman was a veteran of World War I. Except for Jimmy Carter, who served in Korea, every president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George H.W. Bush served in some capacity in World War II (Ronald Reagan was in the Army Enlisted Reserve but remained stateside due to his nearsightedness.)
AS THE ABOVE LIST CONFIRMS, Americans have viewed service in war as a distinguished and prized commodity in their leaders, and this has traditionally been a crucial feature of a potential president's resume. Veterans, viewed as returning heroes, held up as role models and idols, have found an easy transition to political roles. But Vietnam reshaped this pattern...
Read entire article at American Spectator
Two million Americans fought in Vietnam.
But not one of them has ever been elected president. If John McCain's bid for the presidency is unsuccessful, no veteran of that war will ever occupy the White House.
This would make it unique among American wars and the political fortunes of their heroes.
From the beginning of the republic Americans have looked to former warriors for leadership. America's first president, George Washington, was the hero of its first great war. The fifth president, James Monroe, was also a Revolutionary War veteran. The Battle of New Orleans, the final engagement of the War of 1812, helped General Andrew Jackson become president.
Victory over the Shawnee leader Tecumseh at Prophetstown (near the Tippecanoe River) enabled William Henry Harrison to win the presidency with the slogan "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." The Mexican War produced Zachary Taylor and Franklin Pierce. Save for Grover Cleveland, every president from Ulysses S. Grant (who also saw action in the Mexican War) to William McKinley fought in the Civil War.
Theodore Roosevelt led the Rough Riders' charges up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War. Harry Truman was a veteran of World War I. Except for Jimmy Carter, who served in Korea, every president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George H.W. Bush served in some capacity in World War II (Ronald Reagan was in the Army Enlisted Reserve but remained stateside due to his nearsightedness.)
AS THE ABOVE LIST CONFIRMS, Americans have viewed service in war as a distinguished and prized commodity in their leaders, and this has traditionally been a crucial feature of a potential president's resume. Veterans, viewed as returning heroes, held up as role models and idols, have found an easy transition to political roles. But Vietnam reshaped this pattern...
Email sent to HNN 7/18/08
To the Editor:This is how myths get started. The Ryan L. Cole article"Vietnam Syndrome" says that Jimmy Carter"served in Korea." He did not. While Carter served aboard the submarine USS Promfret (SS-391) as an ensign, he was transferred back to the US Navy's submarine base at New London, Connecticut, on February 1, 1951. The ship did not sail for Korean waters until later that month. Presidents Carter and George W. Bush are"era" vets.
Kathryn Moore
Author, The American President TheAmericanPresident.US