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Quiz for American Voices: The Toll of War

Question

1. What does Donald Whitfield’s reminiscence suggest about why he felt cheated about Vietnam?

He believed that black soldiers had received more recognition for their contributions to the war than white soldiers.

He felt that his forced service in the war had placed undue hardship on his family and limited his opportunities.

He believed that his wartime service had done irrevocable damage to his physical and emotional health.

He believed that the Democratic Congress had deprived the American soldiers of the Vietnam victory they deserved.

Correct. The answer is d. Whitfield told his interviewer that the Americans had won every battle and deserved to win the whole country. He suggested that the Democratic-controlled Congress had ended the war prematurely and that, if they had fought longer, the American troops could have won the war.

Incorrect. The answer is d. Whitfield told his interviewer that the Americans had won every battle and deserved to win the whole country. He suggested that the Democratic-controlled Congress had ended the war prematurely and that, if they had fought longer, the American troops could have won the war.

Question

2. George Olsen’s letter to his girlfriend emphasized the fear and danger that infused his wartime experience. Why was he also “content” to be in Vietnam as a soldier?

Olsen rejected the legitimacy of pacifism.

Olsen was committed to the national security of the United States.

Olsen believed that communism was an aggressive and immoral system.

The war provided Olsen with a sense of purpose he could not otherwise find.

Correct. The answer is b. Olsen’s letter suggests that, despite the danger and fear he experienced, he felt contented to be in Vietnam because he believed it was necessary in order to “keep the wolves away” and to maintain the United States as an “orderly society.”

Incorrect. The answer is b. Olsen’s letter suggests that, despite the danger and fear he experienced, he felt contented to be in Vietnam because he believed it was necessary in order to “keep the wolves away” and to maintain the United States as an “orderly society.”

Question

3. A Vietnam veteran who shared the experiences and perspectives of Arthur E. Woodley Jr. would have been attracted to the agenda of which of the following groups?

Vietnam Veterans Against the War

Young Americans for Freedom

The Youth International Party

The Republican Party

Correct. The answer is a. Veterans like Woodley, who came to oppose both the war and Americans’ conduct of it, created Vietnam Veterans Against the War in order to press their agenda. In the wake of the My Lai Massacre, the group publicized other atrocities committed by U.S. troops, and in a controversial 1971 protest, they returned their combat medals at demonstrations outside the U.S. Capitol.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Veterans like Woodley, who came to oppose both the war and Americans’ conduct of it, created Vietnam Veterans Against the War in order to press their agenda. In the wake of the My Lai Massacre, the group publicized other atrocities committed by U.S. troops, and in a controversial 1971 protest, they returned their combat medals at demonstrations outside the U.S. Capitol.

Question

4. Why did Gayle Smith decide to go to Vietnam to work in a military surgical unit in the early 1970s?

She wanted to fight for freedom but was barred from military combat.

She opposed the war and wanted to help bring soldiers home.

She did not believe that the Vietnamese were people and that it was okay to kill them.

She wanted to assist in the injuries that resulted from American atrocities in Vietnam.

Correct. The answer is b. Gayle Smith stated that she objected to the war and decided to volunteer her services as a nurse in order to “bring people back.” It was only after she spent time in Vietnam and saw the devastating impact of the war firsthand that she developed a strongly anti-Vietnamese attitude.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Gayle Smith stated that she objected to the war and decided to volunteer her services as a nurse in order to “bring people back.” It was only after she spent time in Vietnam and saw the devastating impact of the war firsthand that she developed a strongly anti-Vietnamese attitude.