Page 188 - Stand Down Vietnam
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
34th President of the United States
1953 - 1961
Prior to his presidency, Eisenhower served as Supreme
Allied Commander in Europe during World War II.
In February 1954, President Eisenhower refused to
commit American troops to the Franco-Vietnamese War.
In a press conference, he stated, "I cannot conceive of
a greater tragedy for America than to get heavily
involved now in an all-out war in any of those
regions."
By April 1954, his administration re-evaluated the
question of direct involvement in the war.
He sent no U.S. troops to the region, but he approved
military aid to the French.
After France surrendered to the Viet Minh, Eisenhower's
administration aided anti-communist leader Ngo Dinh
Diem.
