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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To better fortify themselves against the ARVN assault, VC guerrillas at Ap Bac use ___________ extensively.

2. What are the two key reasons why the ARVN forces did not soundly defeat the VC at Ap Bac?

3. What is the nickname of Cao's advisor, Colonel Wilbur Wilson?

4. What word best describes John Paul Vann's physical size?

5. One of the early propaganda efforts on the part of Diem's South Vietnamese government is to try to identify all Viet Minh as __________________.

Short Essay Questions

1. As adviser to the 7th Infantry Division of the ARVN, John Paul Vann is responsible for the defense and preservation of what area in Vietnam?

2. What are some of the many diverse features of the populace in South Vietnam that prevented a strong, unified front against the Viet Cong?

3. Discuss the significance of John Paul Vann's promotion to senior adviser for a corps region. How is this significant?

4. What other significant figures are introduced during this introductory section of the book? List two or three of them.

5. What political policies of Diem in particular lead to growing dissatisfaction with him and his regime among the South Vietnamese people and, eventually, the Americans as well?

6. What do you think John Paul Vann's motivations are when he is first sent to Vietnam to advise the South Vietnamese military in 1962?

7. How does the United States initially get more involved in South Vietnamese politics in 1962?

8. Why is the use of terminology in reference to Ho Chi Minh's forces important for the Americans and South Vietnamese to establish?

9. Briefly describe some of the things John Paul Vann did that get him categorized as lucky by those with whom he served.

10. Why is General Huynh Van Cao's chief-of-staff, Lt. Colonel Bui Dinh Dam, selected, even though he is a North Vietnamese and General Huynh Van Cao is a general for the South?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Khe Sanh was mentioned in the text as one of the so-called "Hill Fights". First, what did the term "Hill Fights" refer to? Second, why was there a great deal of media attention placed on the plight of the marines stationed at Khe Sanh? What was the symbolic significance of this battle and how was the outcome portrayed by the American media and the Vietcong propaganda machine?

Essay Topic 2

There were many reasons why the United States decided to directly involve our military in Vietnam. Chief among them was the performance of the Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN). Briefly describe the condition of the ARVN that prompted many American advisers and military intelligence personnel to recommend "sending in the Marines"? If the United States hadn't sent in fighting men and women, how do you think South Vietnam might have fared on its own?

Essay Topic 3

John Paul Vann retired from the military in 1963. However, he re-enlisted to serve in Vietnam as a civilian with the Agency for International Development (AID) just two years later, in 1965. Briefly explain why you think John Paul Vann would make that decision and support your answer with information given in the text.

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