General William Westmoreland was a senior officer in the United States Army who served as the commander of U.S. forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He was responsible for implementing the strategy of attrition, aiming to wear down the enemy through sustained military pressure. His leadership style and decisions were pivotal in shaping U.S. military operations during this contentious period. Westmoreland was born on March 26, 1914, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in various capacities during World War II and the Korean War before his prominent role in Vietnam. After the war, he continued to serve in various military and administrative positions until his retirement in 1972.